Abstract:
This paper presents an experimental investigation carried out to study the effects of Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag
(GGBFS) on strength development of mortar and the optimum use of slag in mortar. Cement was partially replaced with seven
percentages (10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60% and 70%) of slag by weight. Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) mortar was also
prepared as reference mortar. A total of 400 cube and briquet mortar specimens were cast and compressive as well as tensile
strength of the mortar specimens were determined at curing age of 3, 7, 14, 28, 60, 90 and 180 days. Test results show that
strength increases with the increase of slag up to an optimum value, beyond which, strength values start decreasing with further
addition of slag. Among the seven slag mortars, the optimum amount of cement replacement is about 40%, which provides 19%
higher compressive strength and 25% higher tensile strength as compared to OPC mortar.
