Publication

Abstract : There is a growing global interest in SAP-treated cement-based materials due to their excellent durability, fracture resistance, wide availability, and cost-effectiveness. However, a drawback of SAP usage is the development of macropores when the polymer releases water, weakening the material’s mechanical characteristics. To address this concern, steel slag, a byproduct of steelmaking, is used as a partial replacement for fine aggregate to compensate for the loss of strength. Steel slag emerges as a viable alternative as a partial replacement for natural aggregates when the natural aggregate usage in concrete fails to meet the required quantity and quality standards. This study aims to investigate the mechanical and durability properties of self-curing concrete incorporating steel slag and sodium polyacrylate, a super-absorbing polymer (SAP). The research compares the results of these properties with conventional concrete. In M30 grade concrete, the fine aggregate was substituted with steel slag in 30 and 40% proportions. The percentage of superabsorbent polymer (SAP) by weight of cement was also varied to 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3%. Concrete mix with 0.1% SAP and 40% steel slag dosage exhibited superior mechanical properties. Durability tests conducted on this mix combination revealed a better performance compared to control concrete mix.