Resistance of Modified M40 Concrete with GGBS and ALCCOFINE too Aggressive Chemical Environments

Abstract

The rising need for materials that provide both sustainability and long-lasting performance has resulted in the use of unconventional materials as additives in traditional concrete to achieve better performance and decrease environmental damage. The research examines how M40 grade concrete performs in both mechanical strength and long-lasting properties when different amounts of G and A are used as partial substitutes for the control mix. The experimental program tested three types of materials which included cubes to measure their compressive strength and prisms for their flexural strength and cylinders to assess their split tensile strength during the 28-day and 56-day curing periods. The researchers tested durability through chemical exposure events which involved the use of acid and chloride and sulfate environments to measure how well materials maintained their strength. The results demonstrate that G and A substitution has a major effect on both M40 grade concrete strength development and its ability to withstand aging. All modified mixes met the required target strength standards while their performance showed improvement during the later curing periods. C(50)G(40)A(10) showed the best mechanical performance among the tested mixes because it achieved the material has a maximum 56-day compressive strength of 53.25 MPa, a flexural strength of 5.60 MPa, and a split tensile strength of 8.10 MPa. The improvements result from better particle arrangement and pore structure refinement and successful pozzolanic reactions which create extra calcium silicate hydrate to form a denser and more connected microstructure. The study showed that blended mixes with G and A had better protection against acid and sulfate attacks compared to the control mix but their strength decreased only slightly when exposed to chlorides. The study found C(50)G(40)A(10) to be the best mix because it provides equal strength and durability needed for building projects in harsh conditions.