A Review of the Hardened Properties of Eco-Friendly Concrete Containing Ground Granulated Blast-furnace Slag

Cement manufacture depletes natural resources, requires significant energy usage, and emits large quantities of greenhouse gases. Roughly one tonne of carbon dioxide is released by ordinary Portland cement, which is roughly 7% of global carbon dioxide generation. In concrete production GGBS can be a partial alternative of cement. GGBS is produced by finely grinding of molten slag generated by the process of extraction of iron from ore. In this study the concrete properties incorporating GGBS is reviewed. The hardened properties of concrete incorporating GGBS are discussed. The cement replacement of about 35-40% by GGBS in concrete demonstrates various advantages like less heat of hydration, increase in ductility, increase in strength, reduction in carbon emission and better aesthetics. GGBS improves the durability properties of concrete, such as higher resistance to sulphate attack, increased resistance to alkali-silica reaction, reduced chloride ion penetration which enhances corrosion resistance. Denser microstructure and lower porosity due to the addition of GGBS, which in turn enhances the durability of concrete. With the use of GGBS in concrete, cement content can be reduced, which turns into an eco-friendly solution.