Strength Development of GGBS Concrete: Analysis and Recommendations

This report investigates the strength improvement of concrete incorporating Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag (GGBS) under normal curing conditions. The study examines the use of GGBS as a sustainable alternative to Portland cement, focusing on its environmental benefits, durability, and economic advantages. Three concrete mixes with varying percentages of GGBS (0-50%) were analyzed, with a water-binder ratio of 0.5. The research explores the early-age strength development of GGBS concrete, highlighting the influence of GGBS replacement levels and curing conditions. The findings indicate a slower strength gain compared to Portland cement concrete, but the development is highly dependent on curing temperature, water-binder ratio, and GGBS replacement levels. The report includes a literature review on the historical use and effects of GGBS on concrete properties, materials, methods, results, discussions, conclusions, and recommendations for future study.

REPORT

Abstract
This study has demonstrates, the strength improvement of the GGBS concrete has been critically evaluated
under the normal curing conditions. It has been interpreted that, the GGBS concrete is not popular within the
fast path building due to slower strength improvement. The key benefit associated with the GGBS is linked
with the environmental friendliness, durability, economic sustainability, etc.
Within the current study, 3 concrete mixes have been used which evaluates that, strength development of the
GGBS has been determined by various levels of the GGBS cement which in turn range from 0 to 50 percent.
The water binded ratio was estimated to be 0.5 within concrete in winters. The early age development of the
strength of 25 percent and 50 percent GGBS replacement tends to have high degree of improvement within the
development of the strength.
The key results which in turn has been obtained from the experiments in turn has been analyzed to suggest that,
the improvement of strength of GBBS concrete is slower when compared with the cement of Portland. The
development of the capability of GBBS is highly dependent on the curing physical temperature property, water
binder ratio & degree or level of replacement of GBBS.

Contents
Abstract................................................................................................................................................2
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................4
Chapter 2: Literature review.................................................................................................................5
2.1 Historical use of GGBS........................................................................................................5
2.2 The effect of GGBS on the durability of Concrete...............................................................6
2.2.1 Premeability.......................................................................................................................6
2.2.2 Carbonation........................................................................................................................6
2.2.3 Suplhate resistance............................................................................................................7
2.2.4 Chloride.............................................................................................................................7
2.3 the effects of GGBS upon physical properties of Concrete..................................................7
2.4 GGBS effect on chemical Properties of concrete:................................................................8
..............................................................................................................................................................9
CHAPTER 3: MATERIALS AND METHODS................................................................................15
Concrete Casting and Curing:............................................................................................................18
3.2.6 Testing, procedures and equipment:..........................................................................................19
Equipment’s:......................................................................................................................................20
Equipment’s:......................................................................................................................................21
CHAPTER 4: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION.................................................................................22
CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSIONS.........................................................................................................27
Chapter 6: Recommendation for carrying out future study................................................................28
REFERENCES...................................................................................................................................30
CHAPTER 8 APPENDENCES..........................................................................................................34

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background Info: Utilization of the material recycled within the products of the building is considered to
be very crucial for sustainable growth. It has been established that, concrete is used at a large scale within the
construction industry. One of the key fundamental part associated with the concrete is to effectively focus on
the production of Portland cement which in turn largely contributes towards the emission of the carbon dioxide
and generation of greenhouse gases. Manufacturing of 1 T of Portland cement tends to create 1 T of carbon
dioxide and various set of green house gasses such as GHG’s (Abutaha, Abdul Razak and Ibrahim, 2017)
Effectively utilizing the waste materials within the production of the construction material is very useful in
increasing the sustainablity of the building which in turn tends to provide environmental and economical
benefits. GGBS referred to as the GGBS is reasoned to be one of the by- products that is useful in development
of the sustainable building.
Al-Oran, Safiee and Nasir, (2019) established the fact that, GGBS is a by-product which is manufactured
within the iron industry. Here, iron ore, limestone and coke are used into the furnace within the temperature
which ranges from 1500 degree Celsius to 1800 degree Celsius. Where elements such as other gases and water
have an effective route in order to escape by leaving the molten iron right in the bottom and molten slag
floatation where they have been separated. Dimov and et.al., (2018), additional set of energy is required for
the production of GGBS when compared with the amount of energy which in turn is required for the
manufacturing of the Portland cement (Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag (GBS), 2020). Replacing Portland
cement with the GGBS will eventually results in lower emission of the carbon dioxide. Hence GGBS is
considered to be one of the environmental friendly material for the construction.
GGBS is effectively used in order to replace 80 percent of Portland cement which has been used in the
concrete. GGBS is an effective concrete which in turn has an effective water impermeability characteristics and
also has improved sulphate attack and improved resistance to the corrosion. This way it helps in enhancing the
life of the building and also reduced maintenance cost (Huang And et.al., 2016). Use of the sustainable
material is way to common for the sustainable construction. GGBS tends to have high degree of sustainable
advantages at the time of using GGBS. This in turn involves high degree of long term strength associated with
the concrete in order to attain improved workability and durability. GGBS also tends to have high degree of
economic benefits which is cheaper than the Portland cement. It is also very useful in reducing the emission of
the carbon dioxide in comparison with the Portland cement. One of the key disadvantage associated with the
GGBS is that, it results in slow strength development at the time of low temperature such as winter. Hence,
GGBS is not used within the fast track construction. On the contrary, at the time of high temperature the early
strength also enhances.
Research Question: To critically identify key existing waste materials and also discuss the material with
its specific properties. This study will also determine the use of waste material in concrete and also to

compare with the managed mixed design concrete.
Aim: To evaluate on the strength development of the concrete which has been made with the GGBS
as replacement of cement.
Objectives: With the aim to attain the specific target, the key objectives for this has been set:
To study the existing literature which is based on usage of the surplus material for cement.
To develop critical understanding on the British standards for costing, testing, curative and producing
techniques for hardened and fresh concrete things.
Setting up the protocol for carrying out research protocol of various percent of aggregate replacement
and cement.
To assess the strength improvement of the concrete and in turn also run complete enquiry of the
outcomes associated with the strength.
In order to draw valid summary on the key prospect for utilizing waste provisions for the manufacture
of concrete.
Chapter 2: Literature review
2.1 Historic utilization of GGBS
GGBS was first revealed in 1862 by Emil Langin, but it cannot be recognized as a new sustainability
material. Also, the material was first used in Germany by 1880 with Portland Cement, while on the other side,
Europe also use the same from last 100 years and even Paris metro was also constructed in 1889.
Further, GGBS was also formulated abroad and it was also initiate in UK from last many century ago
but there was no importance from recent years. There are many reason of using such material i.e. the
accessibility of tremendous measure of raw material which are used for manufacture of Portland cement.
(Yeung, Yam and Wong, 2019) Also, the research shows that GGBS is also used for through the world war
one in 1930 by an iron and steel commercial enterprise investigation council. Beside this, when building taken
place in sea, at that time, the lastingness of strengthened factual was also recorded effective as compared to use
of Portland cement. In the same time, a single case study shows that the introduction of GGBS is only a sign of
usage 33000 tonnes of GGBBS for a build a Humber Bridge in England on 1972.
While on the other side, in Britain GGBS is actually utilized from last 2 million tonnes all period and it
has been used by institution who use cement and concrete crosswise Europe landmass where around 17.7
million tonnes are already in use. Moreover, supply of GGBS is also available in North of England at 1982 and
it was also accessible in South of England by beginning of GGBS maker on river Thames. Thus, the
consumption of GGBS is varies from different area to area, such that the use of GGBS is about 20 percent only

in Western Europe along with Netherlands is 60 percent. thus, it reflect that it is varies from area to area
(Samson, Cyr and Gao, 2017). While, America is uses this from last or more than 50 years and research also
state that there are around 40 percent replacement has been done of Portland cement, but it is further
multifaceted in other project I,e, Minneapolis Airport where around 35 percent of cement is used, also in metro
airport terminal expansion around 30 percent of the GGBS is used. Further, the study promulgated by concrete
society working party in 2011, it was stated that around 2 million tonnes of GGBS is uses in UK in the form of
primed mix, collection and formed objective.
2.2 The effect of GGBS on the durability of Concrete
Research display that the utilisation of GGBS assist to gain the lastingness of concrete such that
2.2.1 Premeability
Hawileh and et.al., (2017) stated that GGBS has a devalued porosity because it has low chloride
incursion which actually amend the opposition alkali silica as compared to Portland Cement Concrete. In the
same way. Tavasoli, Nili and Serpoush (2018) also stated that porosity of concrete is actually depend upon
the grade of association , so the porousness of 2 days healed GGBS concrete which is higher than Portland
cement concrete while on the other side, when it is used with another then it decrease immediately. Rao,
Sravana and Rao (2016) also present their views that when there is extent of 20 mm to 40 mm of chapped
GGBS concrete and at that time, the rate of deterioration of steel is reduce up to 40 percent as comparison to
Portland cement.
In the opinion of Jawahar and Mounika (2016) use of GGBS cut down the permeableness in
concrete because if the decrease of porousness that also impact major aspect of lastingness of concrete because
it is mainly against the corrosion as well as Sulphate attack
2.2.2 Carbonation
There are so many research conduct on GGBS of carbonation such that Singh, Kushwaha and
Thomas (2019) suggest that when GGBS is added in concrete then it lessening the extent of carbonation
immediately. In the same time, Yeung, Yam and Wong (2019) also noted that it is not a chief cause in rate of
permeation in objective and it is so because they only found up to 3 to 4 mm addition in extent of carbonation
as comparison to Portland cement. On contrary, Saranya, Nagarajan and Shashikala (2020) argued that due
to Pozzolanic reactivity, the precise atom of GGBS actually take away the spread between concrete atom and
also, the depth of carbonation from 7, 28, 56 days of a example. Thus, it makes concrete more denser because it
actually reduce carbon dioxide in order to enter to concrete and therefore, carbonation is also improve that
further leads to increase depth of carbonation.
2.2.3 Suplhate resistance
In order to gain the opposition, as compared to Sulphate attack the GGBS concrete is actually calculate

upon the portion in the concrete. Wang and et.al., (2020) also suggested that in order to attain the optimal
opposition, there must be use of 50 to 70 percent in against to sulphate. Thus, Chakraborty, Bajaj and
Dhanot (2020) GGBS cement may also mitigate the sulphate attack by using three execution such that , by
reducing the transportation of sulphate because of reduction of a permeability and reduce the Calcium
hydroxide that is a origin of a response and last is reducing a amount of Tri- calcium aluminate by solution .
Saranya, Nagarajan and Shashikala (2020) also support that sulphate attack can be cut by adding
GGBS to Portland cement in some ways that is by mix design of involving GGBS in concrete that reduce Tri-
calcium aluminate. Also it s analyzed that GGBS is directly interact with Calcium hydroxide that also reduce its
amount and react suddenly and last is decrease of permeableness in GGBS concrete.
2.2.4 Chloride
It is analyzed by Li and et.al., (2020) that the concrete of GGBS clearly shows that if there is more
resistant against chlorides as compared to Portland cement then there must be high measure of GGBS that will
also supply high opposition in againts to Chlorides.
2.3 the effects of GGBS upon physical properties of Concrete
2.3.1 Colour
Actually the visual property of GGBS is off-white which is slightly igniter than cement. This color is only seen
when there portion of GGBS in concrete is more than 50 percent only.
2.3.2 Elastic Modulus:
Vengala and et.al., (2020) declared that the outcome of GGBS is average and it also have advanced
property because it is directly depend upon the kinship of an elastic modulus as well as comprehensive
property. For instance, if concrete broken with a modular set status and there is a little quality between GGBS
as well as Portland Cement, at that time the concrete also contain GGBS that posses lower elastic modulus
while Portland cement does not have.
Rao, Sravana and Rao (2016) present their views that If the temperature of curing is increases than it
definitely decrease the strength of concrete as well as their elastic modulus, which is true. Moreover, the
statement also shows that there is a dramatic reduction of its comprehensive strength as well as its elastic
modulus only when the temperature is increases up to 500 degree Celsius.
2.3.3 Density
Many research also shows that there is no outcome on the denseness of GGBS as well as Portland
Cement. When the designing mix is formed, GGBS is involve then it contain some mass as compared to
aggregate substitution of Portland Cement which is clearly shows in table 01 that define physical properties of
both cement

2.3.4 Creep
It means that distortion of hard cement that is raised by age-long permanent weight that is practical on it. While
on the other side, the creep in GGBS concrete is quite berth than the Portland Cement and it is also supported i n
Higgins report on 2011. such that the report shows that there is no moisture loss when 50 percent of GGBS but
the Portland cement strength is only stay up to 25 days.
2.3.5 Particle size of GGBS
The demand of special surface area is actually enforced instead of particle size. Therefore, the
minimum surface area should be 2750 cm square. Moreover the study conduct by Wang and et.al.,
(2020) also display the power of GGBS atom arrangement property in which the sample prepared by
different particle distribution size through three methods i.e. a vibromill, an airflow mill and a ball
mill. Hence, outcome reveals that the apportioned scope of GGBS PSDs that is prepared by an airlow mill is
quite slender, while on the other side, through Vibromill is in big scope. Moreover, this effect also shows the
property and subsurface region which is same of concrete that can be regenerate by GGBS
2.4 GGBS effect on chemical Properties of concrete:
2.4.1 Alkali and Silica reaction (ASR)
It is known as a chemical reaction between hyrodxyl ions in pore water and some forms of silica which
is takes place in an aggregate is known as ASR. At global level, the GGBS is also known as a material that is
used to reduce the risk of damage that is generally form due to ASR. Also, many researcher also confirm that
there is no concrete structure that posses 35 percent or more than it and also there is no need to taken account
of ASR when there is 40 percent or more than GGBS uses in it.
2.4.2 Chemical reaction of GGBS:
As per Almeida and Klemm (2017) GGBS is somehow related to the Portland cement which is
mixed with water and then released the calcium hydroxide. In relation to comparing with the Portland
cement, they carried to be stronger and thinner and also easily absorb in the cement to make it harder
and also much higher chemical stability than the other cement. Thus, such stability is also sanctioned
by the Cementitious slag Association. It is also stated that the BS6699 explained the consistency of
the GGBS in proportionate to the increase of the amount of CaO, MgO but the ratio of the GGBS

decreased in respect of increase in SiO (Al-Oran, Safiee and Nasir, 2019).
2.5 The effects of GGBS on other aspects:
Due to considering the fineness and crush materials of sand, the effects of GGBS arises due to
undertaking the following aspects such as:
2.5.1: Workability:
It refers to the meaning of the ability which is carries by the workers during mixing the
concrete with the other products to produce the usable products (Phanikumar and Nagaraju, 2018). It
is to be undertaken during the procedure of preparing the concrete, if the usage of water increase than
the stability of the concrete is reduced similarly in respect of less water, the mixture which is prepared
resulting in not sustaining for long-lasting.
According to the Pasupuleti and Rajasekhar (2018) the energy which is required to prepare the
concrete through GGBS carry less energy in comparison to the Portland cement and also it results in
providing accuracy and consistency in terms of results. By applying this concrete, it results in
improving the consistency of the raw materials which is used in innovating the building and also
saving the person from imposing any such fines.
O’Shea, Gray and Murphy (2019) stated that by adapting the GGBS in concrete resulting in
getting more productive results than comparison to using other cements. The results arise in respect of
reducing the consumption of cements and also protect the environment through saving the cost of
materials used in terms of natural resources.

2.5.2 Bleeding: It mainly occurs at the places where there is crack or any space in the surfaces of the
material occurs in freshly places materials. If the GGBS used in concrete, then it settles the
consistency of the water with settling the time which is imputed in preparing the mixture (Jayakumar,
Hemachander and Hameedh, 2016). To cure the impact of bleeding at the surfaces, it can be removed
through controlling the ratio of water and cement during the time of mixing.
2.5.3 Setting time: Usually the reviews and judgement is given by the researcher regarding settling
the time in many aspects such as in respect of putting the concrete in different temperature or mixing
up with different ratio or proportions. As per the opinion of the Kumar, Bhardwaj and Sharma (2018)
is stated that the consistency of the GGBS increased due to getting more time to settle the concrete to
provide effective results. The major impact arises during the time of winter where the results of GGBS
in concrete reflects the accurate results.
The matter related to the initial settling time depends upon the situation which is hardened or
the ingredients which is used to prepare the concrete and the procedure which is used to prepare the
concrete (Tavasoli, Nili and Serpoush, 2018). By reflecting the matters which is shown in figure 01
that the ECOCEM, the green cement which reflecting the same proportionate as that of the GGBS in
concrete. The results which arise from this chart is that if there is higher temperature, than there are
chance of reducing the setting time and similarly in case of lower temperature, the time for settling the
concrete increased and thus resulting in enhancing the consistency of the concrete materials.
2.5.4 Heat of hydration:
The term heat resulting in providing inconsistency in the products. In respect of GGBS in
concrete, they provide low heat hydration as comparison to the Portland cement concrete. The

advantages of having the materials under the lower heat of hydration is relating to reducing the
temperature at early rise and also it resolves in deflect the thermal cracks (Zanjani, Barnett and Begg,
2016). The usefulness of the GGBS is that it reduces the chances of crack in the building surfaces and
also stronger the surfaces through increasing the consumption of the cement in mixing up with water.
Lee and et.al., (2019) viewed that after investigating the reviews from the authors regarding
consumption of the GGBS cement, it is stated that 20 percent – 80 percent ratio of using the cement
are increased and also sustained in the higher and lower heat rate performances. From the experiment
or test completed under the adiabatic condition, the actual results determined regarding managing the
GGBS cement under the accurate temperature and also reflecting the authentic results. The report of
the experiment is presented through the following table such as:
2.6 Environmental Impact:
In context of undertaking the matter relating to environmental impact, the issue is raised under
the concept of sustaining or dealing in eco friendly working environment. The matters which is
discussed under the construction material of GGBS in comparison to the Portland cement is reducing
the impact of heat or decreasing the embodied energy or also decreasing the impact of green house
gases (Zhang, McCabe and Morrison, 2018).
Farhan, Sheikh and Hadi (2018) examined that the wastage of raw material is reduced to 50
percent after preferring the GGBS cement. The matters are also reflected under the Table 04 which
shows the effectiveness on the environment by examining the data and information which is collected
from the views and thoughts from various authors.

From this point of view, to examine the impact of the environmental benefits which raises
from the GGBS cement in comparison to the Portland cement, it is stated that the by choosing the
GGBS cement, 86 percent energy consumption is reduces and also saves natural resources. The major
impact which is caused to environment is relating to the virgin material in which the reduction of 93
percent is examined after using the GGBS cement. Thus, the impact which the environment is faced is
now causing less impact on the bases of having low impact of the virgin materials, embodied energy
which results in affecting the surfaces of the building and also the less usage of the CO2
emission.
2.7 Engineering properties of GGBS:
2.7.1 Strength development: In this, the procedure is undertaken during the initial procedure of
preparing the concrete. Usually the capability of the GGBS is little than the Portland cement in which
low hydration process resulting in gaining longer term strength. Thus, the judgement given by various
researcher who conducting the research relevant to this particular point.
According to the Dauda and et.al., (2018) stated that the strength development of the GGBS
material is relating to the carrying more steady than the OPC. The test is undertaken on the putting the
GGBS in low temperature, where the strength is examined through undertaking the low impact on the
surfaces of the building. Thus, the results raises regarding carrying more sustainability of the products
as comparison to OPC. The test is undertaken for the period of 7 days in which the results carry
regarding 50 percent replacement of the GGBS in return of gaining advantages of the 45 percent-55
percent for next 28 days.