The Use of Fine Blast Furnace Slag in Improvement of Properties of Concrete

Concrete properties can be improved using Fine Blast Furnace Slag (BFS). The latter was used to replace cement in concrete at 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30% proportions and properties of both fresh and hardened concrete improved. Best workability (evaluated by slump and Table tests) was recorded at 30% of BFS addition. VEBE-time, an indication of workability of concrete, decreased to its lowest value (about 4 seconds at 30% BFS) and compaction factor attained its maximum value of 99% at BFS 25%. For density and unit weight, 30% of fine BFS in concrete mix resulted in maximum density of 2180 kg/m3 for fresh concrete, and 2430 kg/m3 for hardened concrete. Unit weight of concrete achieved a maximum of 23.9 kN/m3 at 30% BFS has achieved specified strength at 1st week and 28 days, also the late strength is high at 56 and 84 days. Bond and flexure loads come high of BFS use. The data of compressive, bond, and flexural strengths are highly related. Results of research are useful and may be applied using fine BFS to improve the properties of concrete materials.