INVESTIGATING THE EFFECTS OF THERMAL VARIANCE ON THE PROPERTIES OF SLAG CEMENT CONCRETE

Abstract

Ground-granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS or GGBFS) is obtained by quenching molten iron slag (a by-product of iron and steel-making) from a blast furnace in water or steam, to produce a glassy, granular product that is then dried and ground into a fine powder, this research investigates the effects of temperature variation on the strength properties of slag cement concrete. Concrete samples were prepared with slag cement concrete and cured for 28 days, after curing, the concrete samples were removed, weighed and tested with rebound harmer to determine the concrete compressive strength. Some samples were selected and heated at varying temperatures of 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300⁰C, thereafter, the samples were weighed and testing with the rebound harmer to determine the effects of temperature on the mass and strength of the slag concrete. The results of experimental works show that, slag cement concrete was found that concrete losses it mass, density, hardness and compressive strength with increase in temperature. The thermal performance of Slag cement concrete was found to be slightly higher than that of normal concrete in terms of tensile properties, also, elevated temperatures produce adverse effects on the density and strength of concrete.