Ferrochrome Slag as a Partial Replacement of Fine Aggregate in Concrete

Ferrochrome slag (FCS) is investigated as a partial replacement for fine aggregate (sand) in concrete production. The study aims at reducing environmental pollution that arises from the dumping of the slag. Both physical and mechanical properties of the FCS were studied. For the concrete mix, fine aggregates were replaced with FCS aggregates in proportions of 25, 50, 75, and 100%, while 0% replacement was used as the control (reference) sample. Aggregate properties investigated are grading, fineness modulus, compacted bulk density uncompacted bulk density, relative density, and water absorption. The investigated properties of fresh and hardened concrete are slump, compressive strength, tensile splitting strength, and flexural strength. The physical characterization results of FCS obtained indicate that it complies with the national standard specifications for natural aggregates. The performance of the hardened concrete improved as the rate of FCS substitution increased. The optimum percentage replacement of FCS based on this study is 100% as it gives increments of 19.76%, 5.4% and 20.68% for compressive strength, split tensile strength and flexural strength respectively when compared with the control sample at 28 days curing period. FCS shows positive indication of inclusion in concrete.