Experimental Investigation of Reinforced Concrete Incorporating Copper Slag and Steel Fibers
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66132/ngce20250305Keywords:
Concrete, Flexural Strength, Copper Slag, Steel fiber strengthened concrete, M30Abstract
The increasing scarcity of natural river sand and the environmental hazards associated with its extraction have necessitated the exploration of sustainable alternative materials for concrete production. Copper slag, a by-product of the copper smelting industry, possesses physical and mechanical properties comparable to natural sand and presents a viable replacement option. Simultaneously, steel fiber reinforcement has gained prominence for improving the tensile strength, ductility, and crack resistance of concrete. This study investigates the combined influence of copper slag as a partial replacement of fine aggregate and hooked-end steel fibers on the mechanical performance of concrete. Experimental investigations were conducted on M30 and M40 grade concretes with copper slag replacement levels ranging from 0% to 60%, both in conventional concrete and steel fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) containing 1% steel fibers by volume. Fresh properties, compressive strength, split tensile strength, and flexural strength were evaluated at different curing ages. The results indicate that copper slag significantly enhances strength properties up to an optimum replacement level of 50% for M30 concrete and 40% for M40 concrete. The incorporation of steel fibers further improved post-cracking behavior, tensile resistance, and flexural performance. Beyond the optimum replacement levels, a reduction in strength was observed due to increased free water content and void formation. The study concludes that the combined use of copper slag and steel fibers offers an environmentally sustainable and structurally efficient solution for high-performance concrete applications.
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