MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND WATER ABSORPTION OF BLAST-FURNACE SLAG CONCRETES WITH FLY ASHES OR MICROSILICA ADDITIONS
DORA FOTI *
Polytechnic of Bari, Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Via Orabona, 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The article presents the results of an experimental tests campaign carried out on concretes with different aggregates instead of sand. Sand, in fact, is totally replaced with blast-furnace slag and fly ashes or with blast-furnace slag and microsilica.
The aim is both to utilize industrial by-products and to reduce the use of artificial aggregates, which impose the opening of pits with high environmental damages. In addition, permeability of concrete is reduced and durability is improved. The so-made concretes present interesting properties. The results obtained during the test campaign described in the present article are certainly useful, especially for deep and detailed researches in this field.
Keywords: Concrete, aggregates, fly-ash, silica fume, blast-furnace slag, chemical composition, mechanical properties, water absorption