Study on the Effects of Polyproylene Fibers by the Partial Replacement of Cement by GGBS

Abstract

The present study is a spotlight for the partial replacement of cement by GGBS which is an unwanted material or by-product from the manufacturing processes. The ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) is a waste product from iron manufacturing industries and due to its rich cementitious property, it can be used as a partial replacement to cement. This study also includes the usage of polypropylene fibers due to its enough resistance to cracking & strengthening of concrete. Polypropylene fibers are able to hold the concrete together even after wider cracking. The real contribution of polypropylene fibers is to increase the toughness of concrete. In this experimental stretch, workability test for determining the workability of concrete & also tests like compressive strength, split tensile strength, flexural strength test to determine the hardened properties of concrete were conducted by adding ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) in various percentages like 0%, 25%, 50% & 75% to the weight of cement & polypropylene fibers of 2% by the weight of cementitious material. The grade of concrete used was M20 grade. From the overall study it can be concluded that, replacing cement by an alternative material like GGBS can also help in the attainment of target strength (M20 grade). It was observed that increase in the GGBS content leads to the increase in the compressive strength of concrete. It was noticed that the maximum compressive strength of 23.62Mpa was achieved at 75% of GGBS with 2% of polypropylene fibers & also it can be concluded that there was a decrease in the workability of concrete due to the inclusion of polypropylene fibers. This combination of materials proves to be economical and thereby reducing the carbon footprint emissions due to the reduction in the utilization of cement.