RESEARCH PAPERS

BEHAVIOR ASPECTS OF COPPER SLAG ADMIXED CONCRETE

SUBJECTED TO DESTRUCTIVE AND NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTS
By

BINAYA PATNAIK. G * SESHADRI SEKHAR. T **

* Research Scholar, Department of Civil Engineering, GITAM University, Hyderabad, India.
** Professor & Dean, NICMAR-CISC, Hyderabad, India

ABSTRACT
Natural Sand is a common form of fine aggregate used in the preparation of concrete. However, due to rapid urbanization
and large scale depletion of river bed, natural sand has become very expensive. Many non-conventional resources such as
Stone Dust, Carbonate Sand, Fly ash, Copper Slag etc. with larger % of Silica (SiO2) have been tried out as an alternative to
river sand as fine aggregate in preparation of concrete. Copper Slag which is an industrial waste in the metal smelting
process of copper production has shown promising result to be used as an alternative to sand in preparation of concrete.
The use of copper slag in construction activity will also resolve the issues of disposing the industrial waste which is a major
concern these days. This paper studies the behavioral aspects of Copper slag admixed concrete while it is subjected to both
destructive and non destructive tests. It proposes to study the behavioral aspects by adding Crimped steel fibres with varying
percentages from 0 to 1.5 in the mixes of M 20 and M 30 .
Keywords: Crimped Steel Fibre, Copper Slag, Rebound Hammer, Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity, Compressive Strength.

INTRODUCTION Pulse Velocity (UPV) and Rebound Hammer (RH) of Copper

Large scale depletion of river bed has created huge
demand for alternative material of river sand which is the
most common form of fine aggregate in preparation of
concrete. Several non-conventional resources such as
Fly-ash, Stone Dust, Carbonate Sand, Copper Slag etc.
having larger percentage of Silica (SiO2) have been tried
out, as a substitute to river sand as fine aggregate in
concrete preparation. Many studies have shown good
results in terms of various strength properties of concrete
by partially replacing sand with copper slag in the
preparation of concrete and the optimum percentage of
copper slag replacement has been found to be 40 %.
Low tensile strength and low strain at fracture are the main
deficiencies of plain cement concrete which can be
removed by the inclusion of crimped steel fibres in it.
1. Objective
The paper proposes to study the behavioral aspects of
Copper Slag admixed concrete by adding crimped steel
fibres with varying percentages from 0 to 1.5 in the mixes
of M 20 and M 30. The objective is to study various strength
properties such as Compressive Strength (CS), Ultrasonic
slag admixed fibre reinforced concrete using Destructive
and Non-Destructive method.
2. Literature Review
Brindha and Nagan [1] studied the durability properties of
copper slag admixed concrete and found that the
concrete with copper slag has less resistance to the H2So4
solution than the control concrete. Saveria Monosi [2] et.
al studied the impact of Foundry Sand in Mortars and
Concrete and found that the structural mortar and
concrete can be manufactured with UFS as partial
replacement of natural sand. A suitable recycling of the
discarded foundry sand as building construction material
was suggested. Chandana Sukesh et. al [3] investigated
the impact of using quarry dust as a partial replacement
of sand in concrete and found an improved
performance of concrete in terms of compressive
strength. Sreekrishna perumal Thanga Ramesh et. al [4]
used welding slag and furnace slag as partial
replacement for sand and found a better performance
towards compressive strength. As per the experimental
result, 10% of furnace Slag & 5% of welding Slag as sand

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replacement was very effective. Ion Dumitru et. al [5] did fibres was found to be 1020 MPa.
field trials using recycled glass as natural sand 3.5 Copper Slag
replacement and powdered glass as cementitious
Glassy, air cooled, irregular and black copper slag with
materials replacement in concrete pavement and found
fineness modulus 3.3 and specific gravity 3.47 was used.
that the recycled sand glass can be used to partially
Water absorption was 0.24%. Bulk Density in loose state
replace the natural sand in concrete, producing
was found to be 1898 kg/m3 and in compacted stage of
concrete with at least equivalent fresh and hardened
2024 kg/m3.
properties. Omar M. Omara et. al [6] used marble powder
3.6 Mix Design
and limestone waste as partial replacement material for
Table 1 gives the proportions of M20 and M30 grade of
sand and found that compressive strength of the
concrete mixes used confirming to IS 10262-1978.
concrete increases with the increase in the percentages
of M.P additions at all curing ages. Binaya et. al [7] 4. Discussion of Test Results
reported that, sand can be partially replaced with copper 4.1 Compressive Strength based on Destructive and
slag in concrete manufacturing process and for M20 Non-Destructive Testing
Grade mix, the maximum strength can be attained with Figure 1 shows the test results based on destructive and
40 % of Copper slag replacement. Seshadri Sekhar et.al non-destructive testing of copper slag admixed concrete
[9] discussed the behavior of Copper slag for variable of grade M20 and M 30 with varying percentage of
mixes in concrete with variable percentage of fibres and crimped steel fibre (0%, 0.5%, 1% and 1.5%) at different
copper slag. ages.
3.Materials 4.2 Behavior of Copper Slag Admixed Fibre Reinforced
3.1 Cement Concrete at Various Ages when subjected to Destructive
53 grade OPC with normal consistency of 32%, fineness Testing
modulus of 4.62% and specific gravity of 3.094 was used. Out of various M20 grade mixes, the maximum
The quality of the cement was established as per IS 4031- percentage increase in compressive strength at 90 and
1988 and all the quality tests were done according to 180 days observed in the case of normal concrete were
specifications of 12269-1987. found to be 20.49 % and 25.54 % respectively. The similar
3.2 Fine Aggregate observation was found in the case of M30 grade mixes.
The maximum percentage increase in compressive
River sand having water absorption of 1.20%, Bulk Density
strength at 90 and 180 days observed in case of normal
in compacted state of 1700kg/m3 and in loose state of
concrete were found to be 24.59 % and 29.86 %
1597 kg/m3, fineness modulus of 2.4 and specific gravity
respectively.
of 2.6 was used.
4.3 Behavior of Copper Slag Admixed Fibre Reinforced
3.3 Coarse Aggregate
Concrete at Various Ages when subjected to Non-
20 mm angular crushed granite metal having water
Destructive Testing
absorption of 1.1%, Bulk Density in compacted state of
Out of various M20 grade mixes, the maximum
1550 kg/m3 and in loose state of 1414 kg/m3, fineness
percentage increase in UPV at 90 and 180 days observed
modulus of 7.1 and specific gravity of 2.6 was used.
Grade Cement Fine Coarse Water W/C Ratio Mix
3.4 Crimped Steel Fibre (Kg/m3) Aggregate Aggregate (Kg/m3) Proportion
(Kg/m3) (Kg/m3)
Rounded crimped steel fibres of diameter 0.5 mm X
M-20 320 712 1178 176 0.55 1:2.225:3.68
length 30 mm (Aspect ratio = 60) with various volume
M-30 350 704 1164 175 0.5 1:2.01:3.326
fractions (0%, 0.5%, 1% & 1.5%) have been used for this
study. The Ultimate Tensile Strength of the crimped steel Table 1. Mix Design and Proportion of M20 & M30 Grade Concrete

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replacement was very effective. Ion Dumitru et. al [5] did fibres was found to be 1020 MPa.
field trials using recycled glass as natural sand 3.5 Copper Slag
replacement and powdered glass as cementitious
Glassy, air cooled, irregular and black copper slag with
materials replacement in concrete pavement and found
fineness modulus 3.3 and specific gravity 3.47 was used.
that the recycled sand glass can be used to partially
Water absorption was 0.24%. Bulk Density in loose state
replace the natural sand in concrete, producing
was found to be 1898 kg/m3 and in compacted stage of
concrete with at least equivalent fresh and hardened
2024 kg/m3.
properties. Omar M. Omara et. al [6] used marble powder
3.6 Mix Design
and limestone waste as partial replacement material for
Table 1 gives the proportions of M20 and M30 grade of
sand and found that compressive strength of the
concrete mixes used confirming to IS 10262-1978.
concrete increases with the increase in the percentages
of M.P additions at all curing ages. Binaya et. al [7] 4. Discussion of Test Results
reported that, sand can be partially replaced with copper 4.1 Compressive Strength based on Destructive and
slag in concrete manufacturing process and for M20 Non-Destructive Testing
Grade mix, the maximum strength can be attained with Figure 1 shows the test results based on destructive and
40 % of Copper slag replacement. Seshadri Sekhar et.al non-destructive testing of copper slag admixed concrete
[9] discussed the behavior of Copper slag for variable of grade M20 and M 30 with varying percentage of
mixes in concrete with variable percentage of fibres and crimped steel fibre (0%, 0.5%, 1% and 1.5%) at different
copper slag. ages.
3.Materials 4.2 Behavior of Copper Slag Admixed Fibre Reinforced
3.1 Cement Concrete at Various Ages when subjected to Destructive
53 grade OPC with normal consistency of 32%, fineness Testing
modulus of 4.62% and specific gravity of 3.094 was used. Out of various M20 grade mixes, the maximum
The quality of the cement was established as per IS 4031- percentage increase in compressive strength at 90 and
1988 and all the quality tests were done according to 180 days observed in the case of normal concrete were
specifications of 12269-1987. found to be 20.49 % and 25.54 % respectively. The similar
3.2 Fine Aggregate observation was found in the case of M30 grade mixes.
The maximum percentage increase in compressive
River sand having water absorption of 1.20%, Bulk Density
strength at 90 and 180 days observed in case of normal
in compacted state of 1700kg/m3 and in loose state of
concrete were found to be 24.59 % and 29.86 %
1597 kg/m3, fineness modulus of 2.4 and specific gravity
respectively.
of 2.6 was used.
4.3 Behavior of Copper Slag Admixed Fibre Reinforced
3.3 Coarse Aggregate
Concrete at Various Ages when subjected to Non-
20 mm angular crushed granite metal having water
Destructive Testing
absorption of 1.1%, Bulk Density in compacted state of
Out of various M20 grade mixes, the maximum
1550 kg/m3 and in loose state of 1414 kg/m3, fineness
percentage increase in UPV at 90 and 180 days observed
modulus of 7.1 and specific gravity of 2.6 was used.
Grade Cement Fine Coarse Water W/C Ratio Mix
3.4 Crimped Steel Fibre (Kg/m3) Aggregate Aggregate (Kg/m3) Proportion
(Kg/m3) (Kg/m3)
Rounded crimped steel fibres of diameter 0.5 mm X
M-20 320 712 1178 176 0.55 1:2.225:3.68
length 30 mm (Aspect ratio = 60) with various volume
M-30 350 704 1164 175 0.5 1:2.01:3.326
fractions (0%, 0.5%, 1% & 1.5%) have been used for this
study. The Ultimate Tensile Strength of the crimped steel Table 1. Mix Design and Proportion of M20 & M30 Grade Concrete

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in case of C40S0 mix are found to be 2.01% and 6.94%

respectively. The similar observation was found in case of
M30 grade mixes. The maximum percentage increase in
UPV at 90 and 180 days observed in case of C40S0 mix
are found to be 4.68% and 7.35% respectively.
Out of various M20 grade mixes, the maximum
percentage increase in RH number at 90 and 180 days
observed in case of normal concrete are the found to be
4.6% and 6.05% respectively. Similar observation was
Figure 2. Relationship between Compressive Strength
found in case of M30 grade mixes. The maximum and ultrasonic pulse velocity
percentage increase in RH number at 90 and 180 days
RH*UPV=[(62*10^-5)CS*CS]+[(70.17*10^-2) CS] +
observed in case of normal concrete were found to be
168.5
1.73% and 3.12% respectively.
Conclusion
4.4 Mathematical Relationship between Destructive
and Non Destructive values of Copper Slag Admixed The Compressive Strength, Rebound Hammer value and

Concrete Ultra sonic Pulse Velocity value of Copper slag admixed

Figure 2 shows the behavior of Copper slag admixed
crimped steel fibre reinforced concrete subjected to
Destructive and Non-Destructive tests.
The relationship between compressive strength and Ultra
Sonic Pulse Velocity for copper slag admixed concrete
with crimped steel fibres at 180 days is given by CS =
0.176e1.214upv
The relationship between the CS and UPV is in correlation
with the formulae given by earlier researchers which is
given as fc = aebV where fc is compressive Strength, V is
the velocity and a, b are the constants. The relationship is
given as,
Figure 1. Relation between Destructive and Non-Destructive
values of Copper Slag Admixed Conctere
fibre reinforced concrete is attained with 1% steel fibre
and on further increase of crimped steel fibre, the
compressive strength decreases. However, in case of
fibre reinforced concrete without copper slag, the values
are found to be increasing linearly with the increase in
crimped steel fibre content (0% to 1.5 %) and the
maximum compressive strength is observed with 1.5% of
crimped steel fibre.
References
[1]. D Brindha, and S Nagan, (2011). “Durability Studies on
Copper Slag admixed concrete,” Asian Journal of Civil
Engineering (Building and Housing, Vol 12, No. 5, pp. 563-
578.
[2]. Saveria Monosi, Daniela Sani and Francesca
Tittarelli, (2010). “Use of Foundary Sand in Cement Mortars
and Concrete Production“, The Open Waste Management
Journal, Vol.3, pp.18-25.
[3]. Chandana Sukesh, Katakam Bala Krishna, P.
Srilakshmi Sai Teja and S Kanakamba Rao, (2013). “Partial
Replacement of Sand with Quarry Dust in Concrete“,
IJITEE, Vol.2. No. 6, pp.254-258.
[4]. Sreekrishnaperumal Thanga Ramesh, Rajan
Gandhimathi, Puthiya Veetil Nidheesh, Shanmugam
Raja Kumar and Subramani Pradeep Kumar. “Use of
Furnace Slag and Welding Slag as replacement for sand

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in concrete“, International journal of Energy and
Environmental Engg, Vol. 4 No. 3, pp.1-6.
[5]. Ion Dumitru, Tony Song, Bob Bornstein, Phillip Brooks,
and Justin Moss. “Field Trials Using Recycled Glass as Natural
Sand Replacement and Powdered Glass as Cementitious
Materials-Replacement in Concrete Pavement”, Third
International Conference on Sustainable Construction
Materials and Technologies.
[6]. Omar M. Omara, Ghada D. Abd Elhameedb,
Mohamed and A Sherifa Hassan, (2012). “The Influence
of Lime Stone waste as partial replacement material for
sand and marble powder in concrete properties“, HBRC
Journal, Vol 8, No.3, pp.193-203.
[7].Binaya Patnaik, Seshadri Sekhar T and Srinivasa Rao,
(2014). “An Experimental Investigation on Optimum
Usage of Copper Slag as Fine Aggregate in Copper Slag
admixed Concrete”, International Journal of Current
Engineering and Technology, Vol.4, No.5.
[8]. Binaya Patnaik, Seshadri Sekhar T and Srinivasa Rao,
(2015). “An Experimental Investigation on Strength
properties of Copper slag Fibre reinforced Concrete, Vol
10, No. 20, pp.9246-9257.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

* Research Scholar, Department of Civil Engineering, GITAM University, Hyderabad, India.

Dr. Seshadri Sekhar. T. holds an M.Tech (Structural Engg) and PhD (Structural Engg) from JNTU, Hyderabad, India. He is Professor and
Dean of NICMAR Hyderabad Campus, Telangana. He is specialised in Structural Engineering and his research interests are
concrete Technology, Structural Design, High Performance Concrete, Prefabricating Structures, Special Concretes and use of
Micro Silica, Fly Ash in Building Materials. Presently six PhD candidates are working under his supervision. He is a member of ISTE,
Fellow of ICI and Fellow of Institution of Engineers and has delivered invited lectures in many organisations and institutions.

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