| Summary: | The results of laboratory studies conducted to evaluate the characteristics strength and
durability properties of concrete made with pulverized copper slag as partial
replacement for Portland cement (PC) is presented. Concrete cube specimens were
made with basic material proportions ranging from 0, 2.5, 5, 10 and 15% by weight
of PC. For cement paste, test conducted were the initial and final setting times and the
total heat of dissipation up to 60 hours of hydration. Fresh concrete mix was assessed
for workability whiles, the compressive strength development of the pulverised
copper slag admixed concrete was determined using three curing methods namely,
ambient air, solar chamber and water curing. Moreover, for durability properties,
oxygen permeability, water sorptivity, chloride conductivity and sulphate attack were
performed to assess the long term performances of the concrete in harsh
environmental conditions.
The experimental results indicate a significant drop in the compressive strength as the
copper slag content increases for all curing methods. Moreover, for the control
samples, the percentage decrease in the compressive strength for the 3-day curing for
water cured sample, compared to the solar chamber and ambient air were respectively
31% and 28%. However, beyond 28 up to 90 days of curing, the water cured samples
yielded a higher compressive strength, followed by the solar chamber and ambient
air. This trend was similar for all percentage replacement of cement with the
pulverized copper slag. For all percentage replacement of Portland cement with
copper slag, the concrete disc samples generally performed better in all the three
durability tests. The resistance of copper slag concrete to sulphate attack was better
compared to the control.
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