Leveraging Silica Fume as a Sustainable Supplementary Cementitious Material for Enhanced Durability and Decarbonization in Concrete

The partial replacement of cement with industrial waste materials is a sustainable approach to reducing the environmental impact of cement production, which emits harmful gases, while also addressing the challenge of industrial waste disposal. This study investigates the influence of silica fume (SF), a well‐known industrial byproduct with 90%–95% silica content, on the durability and performance of concrete. Unlike existing studies that primarily focus on the mechanical properties of SF‐incorporated concrete, this research emphasizes its durability under aggressive chemical environments. Concrete specimens with varying SF dosages (10%, 20%, 30%) were analyzed for durability parameters such as sorptivity, strength loss, and density reduction after exposure to 2% sulfuric acid and 6% sodium chloride solutions for 90 days. Additionally, rapid chloride penetrability and bulk diffusion tests were conducted to evaluate resistance to chloride ingress. The results demonstrate that incorporating SF significantly enhances concrete’s resistance to chemical attack and improves its durability, with the optimal replacement level identified as 20%. This study highlights the dual benefits of SF mitigating environmental challenges and producing sustainable, durable concrete suitable for aggressive environmental conditions.