The effect of attack of chloride and sulphate on ground granulated blast furnace slag concrete

This concrete is one of the most versatile construction material widely used for almost a century now. It was considered to be very durable material and required a little or no maintenance since long time. The assumption is very true, except when it is subjected to highly aggressive environments. The deterioration of concrete structures day by day due to aggressive environment is compelling engineers to assess the loss in advance so that proper preventive measure can be taken to achieve required durability to concrete structures. The compounds present in cement concrete are attacked by many salt solutions and acids. These chemicals are encountered by almost all concrete structures. The present study has been undertaken to investigate the effect of attack of chlorides and sulphates with varying severity on compressive strength of ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) concrete after immersion in salt solution for 28 days. The results indicate that the durability of GGBFS concrete increases with the increase in percentage replacement of cement by GGBFS for 20% and then gradually decreases with increases in percentage of GGBFS with cement (as in the study for 40% and 60%). Also there is increase in strength of GGBFS concrete with increase in age. Thus the durability of concrete improves when GGBFS is added as partial replacement of cement. In this study the strength of GGBFS concrete is less affected by chemicals as compared to conventional concrete when exposed to aggressive environment.