Strength Studies on Slag Sand Concrete Blended with Metakaolin and Glass Powder

Abstract

The production of Portland cement is known to release a significant amount of greenhouse gases, making it imperative to explore eco-friendly alternatives. Slag sand is utilized as a complete substitute for natural sand, offering not only environmental benefits but also enhancing the structural strength and longevity of constructions. This is primarily due to the high tensile strength inherent in slag sand, which imparts superior compactness to the concrete mixture compared to river sand or natural sand. Glass powder which is typically produced from waste glass by crushing or milling glass materials into finely powdered form will be introduced into the concrete mix at three distinct levels: 0%, 10%, and 20%. Glass powder possesses the unique property of recyclability without altering its chemical composition. The inclusion of both glass powder and metakaolin serves to augment the concrete's strength and durability properties, while simultaneously conserving precious natural resources. Moreover, this approach presents economic advantages when applied in concrete production. Metakaolin will be employed as a substitute for cement at four varying levels: 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%. To comprehensively evaluate the concrete properties, the study will encompass assessments of fresh concrete characteristics through slump cone tests, compaction factor tests, and Vee Bee tests. Additionally, the study will analyse hardened properties, including compressive strength, tensile strength, and flexural strength at the 28-day mark, as well as compressive strength at the 90-day mark. Ultimately, the findings from tests conducted at different percentage combinations will be compiled and presented in the paper.