An Experimental Study on the Performance of Strength of Concrete by Partial Replacement of Cement by GGBS and Complete Replacement of Sand by M-Sand

Concrete is the most widely used material in the construction industry. Possessing high strength and stability, concrete is also an economical building material. Cement required in the concrete leaves enormous carbon foot print which shows an alarming impact on the global environmental conditions. Hence, there is a requirement of some material which can be effective in supporting cement when added along with it shows similar characteristics. Due to increased construction and infrastructure activities, we are consuming more quantity of concrete and hence we are consuming more energy in the extraction of mineral ores for the production of cement concrete. This in turn is contributing more production of carbon elements which is a challenge for the sustainable development. Hence, there is a need of utilization of waste materials which are produced as byproducts in the industries which can replace cement, fine and coarse aggregates to some extent. Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS) is found to be one such material which has similar characteristics when mixed with cement. GGBS is a waste material (byproduct obtained from iron industry) which is required to be disposed. Similarly, in recent days, the demand for river sand is increasing due to its lesser availability and environmental considerations. Also, there are stringent norms for the extraction of river sand which is coming under the category of mining which is creating environmental issues during the rainy season. M-Sand is obtained as byproduct from quarry industry which has similar properties and characteristics to that of river sand. Hence the practice of replacing river sand with M-Sand is taking a tremendous growth. The main objective of this study is to investigate the performance of strength characteristics of concrete by replacing cement and fine aggregates, to provide an economical and environmentally friendly concrete, to make use of waste materials in useful manner, to reduce the demand of cement and hence to promote green concrete, sustainable construction and sustainable development. In this project work, the strength characteristics of M30 grade concrete is analysed. Concrete cubes, beams and cylinders are casted for the normal concrete as well as concrete with GGBS and M-Sand. The cubes, beams and cylinders casted with the different proportions of cement, GGBS and River Sand / M-Sand are tested for the compressive strength at the end of 7, 14 and 28 days of curing, and split tensile strength and flexural strength at the end of 28 days of curing at room temperature. Based on the test results, the optimum percentage of GGBS was found.