Using Slag to Enhance Concrete Performance

Added in the right proportions, groundgranulated blast-furnace slag can improve many properties of both fresh and hardened concrete
BY ANNE BALOGH

sing ground granulated blast-furnace (GGBF) slag to partially replace portland cement in concrete mixtures can provide many benefits. When added in the right p ro p o rt i o n s, the mineral admixture improves the workability of fresh concrete and increases the strength and durability of hardened concrete. GGBF slag is a nonmetallic byproduct of iron production consisting primarily of silicates and aluminosilicates of calcium and other bases. Its produced by rapidly chilling molten iron blast-furnace slag using a water-quenching process to form a glassy, sand-like granulated material. The granules are then ground to a fineness of less than 45 m i c ro n s, which is somewhat finer than most portland cements. In concrete mixtures, GGBF slag exhibits both pozzolanic and cementitious pro p e rt i e s. It contains the same chemical components as portland cement, but the amounts of each may differ. Both materials also are hydraulic, which means they harden by chemically reacting with water. As with other mineral admixt u re s, such as fly ash and silica fume, GGBF slag can significantly affect certain properties of both fresh and hardened concrete. Contractors placing GGBF-slag concretes need to be aware of these ef-

fects and adjust their pro c e d u re s accordingly. And specifiers should know how to correctly pro p o rt i o n concrete mixes containing GGBF slag to meet specific perf o rm a n c e requirements.

ty. Setting time. Because GGBF slag hydrates more slowly than portland cement, use of the slag generally retards concrete setting time. The degree of set retardation depends on such factors as the proportion of slag used (the higher the slag dose, the slower the setting time), the water-to-cementitious-materials ratio, and the initial curing tempera-

Effects on Fresh Concrete

Wo rk a b i l i t y. Many contractors report noticeable improvements in the pumping and placing properties of concretes containing GGBF slag, both with and without wat e r- reducing admixtures. These improvements are due to the smooth, dense surface characteristics of the slag. Research has shown that cement pastes containing GGBF slags exhibit different rheological prop-erties than pastes containing portland cement alone (Ref. 1). Little, if any, water is absorbed by the slag during initial mixing. The paste, One application of GGBF slag is in the production of hightherefore, is more strength concrete. The Society Tower, Cleveland, contains fluid, resulting in 8,000 cubic yards of GGBF-slag concrete with compressive greater workabili- strengths at 56 days averaging 14,370 psi.

slag can reduce heat buildup in a concrete structure because it lowers the heat of hydration. This reduction in temperature rise is especially beneficial in concretes used for massive structures. The extent to which slag lowers heat of hydration depends Figure 1. This chart shows the effects of increasing doses on slag fineness (finer grades have of GGBF slag on concrete compressive strengths. less effect) and the Concretes made with slags meeting ASTM C 989 Grade 120 requirements achieve higher compressive strengths amount of slag after seven days than plain portland cement concrete. The used (using more greatest 28-day strengths can be achieved with blends of slag results in 35% to 65%. For this data, the total cementitious greater temperamaterials content was 517 pounds per cubic yard, and the ture reductions). concretes were air-entrained. Curing. Temperature and moisture ture. Typically, initial setting time is conditions during curing have simextended one-half to one hour at ilar effects on the setting properties t e m p e ra t u res of 73 F; little and strength development of conchange occurs at tempera t u re s cretes containing GGBF slag and above 85 F (Ref. 1). Adding accelthose made with only portland cee rators to GGBF-slag concre t e s ment. Howe ve r, curing times may can reduce or eliminate this set need to be longer for GGBF-slag retardation. concretes, since they typically deHeat of hyd ra t i o n . Using GGBF velop strength more slowly. As with

all portland-cement-based concretes, best results occur when the concrete is cured continuously with water for as long as possible, then allowed to dry sufficiently before the first freeze-thaw cycle.

Effects on Hardened Concrete

Permeability. When portland cement hydrates, the principal binding material produced is calcium-silicate hydrate (CSH). Howe ve r, up to one-fifth of the hydration products may be calcium hydroxide, or free lime. In hardened concrete, the presence of calcium hydroxide may contribute to some durability problems. When GGBF slag is mixed with portland cement and water, more CSH binder is produced. Thats because the hydration of GGBF slag consumes calcium hydroxide and uses it to produce additional CSH binder. Pores in concrete normally containing calcium hydroxide are filled, in part, with CSH, resulting in a denser cement paste and reduced permeability. The higher the GGBF slag content, the lower the concretes permeability. Strength. Mineral admixtures often are essential to the production of high-strength concrete. Comp re s s i ve strengths of more than

KEY FEATURES OF GGBF-SLAG CONCRETES

Here are several features common to concretes made with fine grades of GGBF slag. As for all concretes, fresh and hardened properties will vary with different material combinations, job conditions, and placing practices. Some of the properties listed require higher GGBF-slag dosages than others. s Improved uniformity, workability, pumpability, and ability to be consolidated. s Reduced water demand. s Better finishing properties. s Less high-range water reducer required to produce flowing concrete. s Higher compressive strengths after about seven to ten days. (Somewhat lower strengths at younger ages.) s Reduced permeability and less free lime (calcium hydroxide) present in concretecharacteristics that can enhance durability and reduce efflorescence. s Greater resistance to sulfate attack and other chemical environments. s Reduced alkali-silica reactivity. s Reduced rate of heat releasean important consideration for mass concrete. s Longer setting time, particularly with higher slag dosages or colder temperatures. s Ultimately, a lighter concrete color. Potential for a green or blue-green concrete color until air drying occurs.

14,000 psi can be achieved by using the right proportions of GGBF slag in a concrete mixture. ASTM C 989, Ground Granulated Blast-furnace Slag as a Constituent in Concrete and Mortars, provides for three strength grades of GGBF slag. The grades are based on a slag-activity index: Grade 80 (low activity), Grade 100 (moderate activity), and Grade 120 (high activity). The numbers in the grade designations roughly correspond to the relative compressive strength at 28 days that standard mortar cubes made with GGBF slag (blended with an equal mass of portland cement) achieve compared to the strength of a plain portland cement

plain portland cement concrete. Strength gain at early ages (one to three days) is less, due to the slower rate of hyd ra t i o n . The proportion of Grade 120 GGBF slag used affects the strength and rate of strength gain. The greatest 28-day strengths can be achieved with blends of 35% to 65%. When using GGBF slag Lighter in color than most portland cements, primarily to increase con- GGBF typically produces a lighter-colored crete strength, make sure concrete after curing. Surfaces usually are light the slag meets ASTM C gray or nearly white. 989 Grade 120 requirements. Lower slag grades tend to the alumina content of the GGBF result in reduced concrete slag is less than 11%. If using slag to increase concretes sulfate resistance, find a supplier that produces a material with low average alumiIN SOME CASES, THE SULFATE RESISTANCE OF GGBF-SLAG na contents. Alkali-silica reactivity. GGBF can CONCRETES IS EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN CONCRETES MADE significantly reduce the potential of WITH TYPE V SULFATE-RESISTING CEMENT. concrete to expand due to alkalisilica reaction. The additional CSH produced by GGBF slag decreases mortar mixture. strengths at all ages. reactivity by chemically tying up alAs Figure 1 shows, concretes Resistance to sulfate attack. GGkalies in concrete. made with Grade 120 GGBF slag BF slag can improve concretes reDetermining optimum slag achieve higher compressive sistance to sulfate attack, primarily dosage rates is important to maxistrengths after seven days than by reducing the amount of reactive mize the reduction in reactivity. Uselements (such as ing slag contents that are 40% to calcium) needed 65% of the total cementitious matefor expansive sulrial content can virtually eliminate fate reactions. Reexpansion (Figure 2). search shows high Co l o r. GGBF slag is lighter in resistance to sulcolor than most portland cements fate attack in conand will produce a lighter-colored crete where the c o n c rete after curing. Howe ve r, GGBF-slag prod o nt be surprised to see conportion exceeds c retes containing high slag con50% of the total cetents turn green or blue-gre e n mentitious materitwo to four days after placement. al content (Ref. 1). This tempora ry discoloration is In some cases, the due to a complex reaction of the sulfate resistance sulfide sulfur in the slag with othof GGBF-slag coner compounds in the cement. Afcretes is equal to or ter curing materials are removed greater than conand concrete is exposed to the air cretes made with for a few days, the surface usually Type V sulfate-rewill turn light gray or nearly sisting cement. w h i t e, depending on the type of Figure 2. GGBF slag significantly reduces the alkali-silica Improvements portland cement used. reactivity of concrete when added in dosages of 40% to in sulfate resis65%. The concretes here were tested in accordance with Proportioning GGBF-slag ASTM C 227, Test Method for Potential Alkali Reactivity tance are greatest concretes of Cement-Aggregate Combinations (Mortar Bar Method). in concretes where

GGBF-slag concretes are proportioned by most of the same methods used to proportion portland cement concrete. Howe ve r, the unique properties of GGBF slag may result in: Lower water demands (3% to 5%) for a given slump A need to slightly increase the dosage rate of air-entraining admixtures The use of about 25% less highrange water reducer to produce flowing concrete (Ref. 1) No loss in workability when more coarse aggregate is used The optimum dose of GGBF slag to use in a concrete mix depends on performance requirements, materials used, and other factors. Slag dosages replacing 25% to 50% of the portland cement in a mix are common. Howe ve r, in concretes requiring special properties, such as sulfate resistance or low temperature rise, blends containing more than 50% slag may be needed. Conversely, when early strength gain is required for quick form removal, blends containing less than 50% should be used. As with all other c o n c re t e s, GGBF-slag concretes can be affected by different port-

land cements, admixtures, curing conditions, and placing practices. Make trial batches of all mix designs being considered. The price per ton of many ASTM C 989 Grade 120 slags is comparable to that of portland cement. Improved 28-day strengths and workabilities achieved through a 25% to 50% portland cement replacement allow for potential reductions in overall cement contents and waterreducer levels without sacrificing concrete performance.
References 1. ACI 226.1R-87, Ground Granulated Blast-furnace Slag as a Cementitious Constituent in Concrete, American Concrete Institute, Detroit. 2. Steven H. Kosmatka and William C. Panarese, Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, 13th edition, Portland Cement Association, Skokie, Ill., 1988.

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