Effect of Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag on Compressive Strength of POFA Blended Concrete

The article reports a laboratory experimental programme that investigated effect of ground granulated blast furnace (GGBS) on compressive strength of POFA ternary concrete. Compressive strength tests were performed at a range of cements combinations, including 100%PC, two POFA levels for binary concrete, 35% and 45%, and 15%GGBS inclusion for POFA ternary concrete. The compressive strength results were examined in comparison to PC only and equivalent POFA binary concretes for up to 28 days. Results show that the reduction in compressive strength is greater with the higher cement replacement level for all concretes particularly for POFA binary concretes. However, 15%GGBS in POFA blended concrete has a comparable compressive strength compared to PC concrete at both, 35% and 45%, cement replacement levels except for ternary concrete at 0.65 w/c. In addition, the compressive strength of ternary concrete is slightly higher compared to binary concrete for all concrete combinations. Although there is no significant noticeable influence on strength development, the presence of GGBS did not adverse the strength development of POFA blended concrete. Thus, it can be concluded that GGBS compensates the adverse effect of POFA at early strength development.