Comprehensive investigation of the mechanical and durability performance in ferrock substituted self consolidating concrete emphasizing variations in curing methods

Abstract

Self-compacting concrete (SCC) has gained significant demand in recent years due to its superior workability, ability to flow under its own weight and reduced labor requirements, making it ideal for complex and congested reinforcement layouts in modern construction. To address the environmental challenges posed by cement production, such as pollution from burning limestone, recent research has focused on incorporating industrial wastes like fly ash, slag, silica fume, and rice husk ash as partial replacements for cement. These materials not only improve the mechanical and durability properties of SCC but also contribute to sustainability by reducing carbon emissions and effectively managing industrial waste, making SCC a key component in advancing eco-friendly construction practices. In this study, ferrock - a blend of 60 percent iron dust, 20 percent fly ash, 10 percent metakaolin and 10 percent limestone powder was prepared and used to partially replace cement in percentages of 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 in the production of self-compacting concrete (SCC) of grade M40. The mix ratio for M40 grade SCC, determined from trials conducted during the study, was found to be 1:1.27:1.32 (Cement: Fine Aggregate newline