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Parametric Study on Use of Pozzolanic

Materials in Concrete
Amit Mittal, M. B. Kaisare, Rajendrakumar Shetti, Tarapur
Atomic Power Project 3 & 4, Nuclear Power Corporation of (/component/banners/click/288.htm
India Limited, Maharashtra.

The utilization of pozzolanic materials in concrete as partial

replacement of cement is gaining immense importance today,
mainly on account of the improvements in the long-term (/component/banners/click/216.htm
durability of concrete combined with ecological benefits. Fly ash,
Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS) and High Reactive
(/component/banners/click/280.html)
Metakaolin (HRM) are the pozzolanic materials, which conform to
these requirements and largely available in India. To study the
e ect of partial replacement of cement by these pozzolanic
materials, studies have been conducted on concrete mixes with (/component/banners/click/178.htm
350 to 500 kg/cum cementitious material at 30%, 40%, and 50%
replacement levels of fly ash; 50% and 60% replacement levels of
GGBS and 7.5% and 10% replacement levels of HRM. In this paper,
the e ect of these pozzolanic materials on workability, setting
time, density, air content, compressive strength, modulus of (/component/banners/click/338.htm
elasticity and permeability by Rapid Chloride Permeability Test
(RCPT) are studied. Based on this study, compressive strength vs
W/Cm curves have been plotted so that concrete mixes of grade
M15 to M45 with di erent percentage of any of these pozzolanic
materials can directly be designed.
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Introduction
The Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) is one of the main
ingredients used for the production of concrete and has no
alternative in the civil construction industry. Unfortunately,
production of cement involves emission of large amounts of (/component/banners/click/180.htm
carbon-dioxide gas into the atmosphere, a major contributor for
green house e ect and the global warming, hence it is inevitable
either to search for another material or partly replace it by some
other material. The search for any such material, which can be
used as an alternative or as a supplementary for cement should (/component/banners/click/285.htm
lead to global sustainable development and lowest possible
environmental impact.

Fly ash, Ground Granulated Blastfurnace Slag, High Reactive

Metakaolin, Micro silica, and so on are some of the pozzolanic
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materials which can be used in concrete as partial replacement of
cement. A number of studies are going on in India as well as
abroad to study the impact of use of these pozzolanic materials as
cement replacements and the results are encouraging.

Fly ash is finely divided residue that results from the combustion (/component/banners/click/14.html)
of coal and transported by flue gas. India is a resourceful country
for fly ash generation with an annual output of over 110 million
tonnes, but utilization is still below 20% in spite of quantum jump
 in last three to four years. Availability of consistent quality fly ash

across the country and awareness of positive e ects of using fly
(/) ash in concrete are pre- requisite for change of perception of fly
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ash from 'A waste material' to 'A resource material'. Now a days
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due to strict control on quality of coal and adopting electrostatic
precipitators, fly ash of consistent quality is separated and
stocked, and it is gaining popularity as a good pozzolanic material
for partial replacement of cement in concrete.

Ground Granulated Blastfurnace slag (GGBS) is a byproduct for

manufacture of pig iron and obtained through rapid cooling by
water or quenching molten slag. If slag is properly processed then
it develops hydraulic property and it can e ectively be used as a
pozzolanic material. However, if slag is slowly air cooled then it is
hydraulically inert and such crystallized slag cannot be used as
pozzolanic material. Though the use of GGBS in the form of
Portland slag cement is not uncommon in India, experience of
using GGBS as partial replacement of cement in concrete in India
is scanty.

High Reactive Metakaolin (HRM) is a quality enhancing pozzolana.

HRM is manufactured from natural kaolin, which is available in
abundance in the country. It is produced by calcination of natural
kaolin at a temperature of 650oC to 700oC through either dry
process or wet process. In India, extensive deposits of kaolins are
found in almost all the states. The best quality of kaolin deposits is
found in Kundara in Kerala and Singhbum in Jharkhand. The data
on studies of use of HRM as a pozzolanic material is very limited.
At present refractories, paints, and paper industries etc., are the
major users of HRM in India. However, use of HRM in concrete is
hardly observed.

Reaction Mechanism of Pozzolanic Materials

Pozzolanic materials contain little or no cementitious properties of
their own but they react with calcium-hydroxide produced during
the hydration of cement. Fly ash and HRM have almost negligible
cementitious properties, however GGBS is a hydraulically latent
material and reacts with water directly as well as participates in
the secondary reaction with calcium hydroxide. The reaction
mechanism of fly ash, GGBS and HRM in concrete is briefly
explained below.

Reaction Mechanism of Fly Ash

Majority of the fly ash available in India are silicious type (ASTM C
618 Type-F) which contains reactive calcium oxide less than 10%
and posses no hydraulic properties. It does not react with water
directly. The silica present in the fly ash reacts with calcium
hydroxide (CH), produced during the hydration of cement, and the
principal product of reaction is calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H).
The reaction of fly ash depends largely upon breakdown and
dissolution of the glossy structure by the hydroxide ions and the
heat generated during early hydration of Portland cement fraction.
Reaction of fly ash and water in the presence of water is described
as below:

Product of hydration of OPC

OPC (C3S/C2S) + H2O————————> C-S-H + CH

Reaction of pozzolanic material

 
CH + S ———————————————> C-S-H
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The reaction of fly ash continues to consume calcium hydroxide to
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form additional C-S-H as long as calcium hydroxide is present in
the pore fluid of cement paste.

Reaction Mechanism of Ground Granulated Blast

furnace Slag
Although GGBS is a hydraulically latent material, in presence of
lime contributed from cement, a secondary reaction involving
glass (Calcium Alumino Silicates) components sets in. As a
consequence of this, cementitious compounds are formed. They
are categorized as secondary C-S-H gel. The interaction of GGBS
and Cement in presence of water is described as below:

Product of hydration of OPC

OPC(C3S/C2S) + H2O ————————> C-S-H + CH

Product of hydration of GGBS

GGBS(C2AS/C2MS) + H2O ——————> C-S-H + SiO2

Reaction of pozzolanic material

SiO2+ CH + H2O ——————————————>C-S-H

The generation of secondary gel results in formation of additional

C-S-H, a principal binding material. This is the main attribute of
GGBS, which contributes to the strength and durability of the
structure. The diagrammatic representation of secondary gel
formation is shown below.

Reaction Mechanism of High Reactive Metakaolin

Metakaolin is a lime-hungry pozzolana that reacts with free
calcium hydroxide to form stable, insoluble, strength-adding,
cementitious compounds.

When Metakaolin- HRM (AS2) reacts with calcium hydroxide (CH), a

cement hydration byproduct, a pozzolanic reaction takes place
whereby new cementitious compounds, C2ASH8 and CSH are
formed. These newly formed compounds contribute to
cementitious strength and enhance durability properties to the
system in place of the otherwise weak and soluble calcium
hydroxide.

Product of hydration of OPC

OPC(C3S/C2S) + H2O ————————> CSH + CH

Reaction of pozzolanic material

AS2 + CH + H2O ———————————> C2ASH8 + CSH

 Unlike other commercially available pozzolanic materials,

Metakaolin is a quality-controlled, manufactured material. It is not
(/) a byproduct of an unrelated industrial process. Metakaolin has
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been engineered and optimized to contain a minimum of
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impurities and to react e iciently with cement's hydration
byproduct, the calcium hydroxide.

Ingredients
Cement

The Ordinary Portland

Cement of 43 grade
conforming to IS: 8112 was
used. The 28 days
compressive strength and the
specific surface of cement
used in this study was 60
N/mm2 and 289 m2/kg
respectively. The test results
of cement used for this study
are given in Table-1.

Coarse Aggregates
The Coarse Aggregates from
crushed Basalt rock,
conforming to IS: 383 were
used. The Flakiness and
Elongation Index were well-
maintained below 15%.

Fine Aggregates
The river sand and crushed
sand was used in a
combination as fine aggregate conforming to the requirements of
IS:383. The river sand was washed and screened to eliminate
deleterious materials and over size particles.

Admixture
The high range water reducing and retarding superplasticizer
conforming to ASTM C-494 Type G was used. The base of
admixture used in this study was sulphonated naphthalene
formaldehyde and water reduction of admixture was around 24%.
The test results of admixture used for this study are given in Table-
2.

Fly Ash
Fly ash is a finely divided residue that results from the combustion
of ground or powdered coal and is transported from the
combustion chamber by exhaust gases. The fly ash is extracted
from the flu gases by electrostatic precipitators and collected
separately in di erent fields depending upon their specific surface
area.

Technological e orts have been made to improve the quality of fly

ash. At present most of the power plants are using Electro Static
Precipitators (ESP) through which fly ash is collected in di erent
chambers according to its particle size. Hence a uniform good
quality of fly ash can be collected from these power plants. Some
of the power plants have gone a step further by developing a
collection system, in which the fly ash collected from di erent
 fields is combined and the final product is taken to an air

classifying plant where coarse particles are removed. The final
(/) beneficial product is then stored in a silo to be used in cement and
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concrete industry.
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Fly ash for this study was

taken from Dahanu Thermal
Power Station (DTPS) at
Dahanu. DTPS has installed
ESP for segregation and
collection of fly ash into 6
di erent fields. As the field
number increases the
fineness of fly ash increases
but the quantity decreases.
Field-1 fly ash has coarse
particles and is not suitable
for concrete applications. Fly
ash from Field-2 onwards is
segregated, packed and used for concrete applications. Since
maximum availability of fly ash is from Field 2, same was used for
our study. This fly ash conforms to the requirements of IS: 3812
Part 1 and also ASTM C-618 Type F.

Generally, fly ash quality is assessed on the basis of some of key

parameters like pozzolanic activity, material retained on 45 micron
sieve, loss on ignition and other chemical parameters. It is
advisable that to qualify a source of fly ash all the test as specified
in IS/ASTM will be conducted initially and only key parameters can
be tested for each batch to ensure a consistent quality of fly ash.
Test results of fly ash used in the experimental study are given in
Table-3.

Ground Granulated Blastfurnace Slag

In the process of manufacturing of pig iron, the molten slag is
produced which is instantaneously tapped and quenched by
water. This rapid quenching of molten slag facilitate formation of
"Granulated slag." Ground Granulated Blast furnace Slag (GGBS) is
processed from Granulated slag.

GGBS essentially consists of

silicates and alumino
silicates of calcium and other
bases that is developed in a
molten condition
simultaneously with iron in a
blast furnace. The chemical
composition of oxides in
GGBS is similar to that of
Portland cement but the
proportions varies.

The four major factors, which

influence the hydraulic activity of slag, are glass content, chemical
composition, mineralogical composition and fineness. The glass
content of GGBS a ects the hydraulic property, chemical
composition determines the alkalinity of the slag and the
structure of glass. The compressive strength of concrete varies
with the fineness of GGBS.
 GGBS used in the present study is taken from M/s. Indorama

Cement Ltd., Mumbai and it conforms to requirements of BS 6699.
(/) Test results of GGBS used in this study are given in Table-4.
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High Reactive Metakaolin
HRM, white in color, is a manufactured and process controlled,
reactive aluminosilicate pozzolana. It is formed by calcining
purified kaolinite at a specified temperature range, generally
between 650-7000C. There are various methods of processing
kaolin, which could be principally grouped into two types—wet
process and dry process. Of these, the wet processing route is
reported to be better because it helps to remove most of the
impurities.

Unlike other pozzolana such

as micro silica and fly ash
which are industrial
byproducts, HRM is specially
manufactured and the
process is controlled in a cost
e ective manner. Moreover, it
is water processed to remove
non-reactive impurities,
producing an almost 100% reactive pozzolana. Its particle size is
significantly smaller than cement particles, of the order of 1.5
micron, with a specific gravity 2.5.

As of today no separate ASTM, EN or BIS specification for HRM

exists, but it is classified as a natural pozzolana conforming to
ASTM C 618 Type N. Indian code of practice for Reinforced
concrete, IS 456-2000, recommends the use of HRM in concrete.
HRM used in the present study is taken from M/s. 20 Microns,
Mumbai, and it conforms to requirements of ASTM C 618. Test
results of GGBS used in this study are given in Table-5.

Experimental Set Up
Concrete mixes taken up for this study were proportioned with
total cementitious content starting from 350 kg/cum to 500
kg/cum in the increments of 50 kg/cum. For each cementitious
content a control mix (without any pozzolanic material) was
proportioned as a reference mix. For fly ash, three di erent
replacement levels i.e., 30%, 40%, and 50% were used for each
cementitious content. For GGBS two di erent replacement levels
i.e., 50% and 60% were used for 350, 400, and 450 cementitious
content. For HRM two di erent replacement levels i.e., 7.5% and
10% were used for each cementitious content. Each mix was
identified by a unique no. 'x''y''z' where 'x' indicates the total
cementitious content, 'y' indicates the type of pozzolanic material
(F-fly ash, G-GGBS and H-HRM) and 'z' indicates the percentage
replacement by pozzolanic material. Control mixes are indicated
as 'x' Control. All the concrete mixes were proportioned using
absolute volume method.

High range superplasticizer was used in all the concrete mixes to

achieve good workability. A slump of 175 mm + 25 mm was
maintained in all the mixes to ensure that these mixes could be
pumped and placed even in the most congested areas. Unit water
content was kept constant for a particular series of mixes of same
cementitious content. To achieve the uniform workability, the
admixture dosage was adjusted without changing the unit water
 content. This ensured the identical W/Cm ratio for a particular

cementitious content and the e ect of pozzolanic material
(/) replacement can directly be studied on the various properties of
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concrete. Mix proportions of all the mixes is given in Table-6.
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All the concrete mixes were produced in the concrete technology

laboratory of Tarapur Atomic Power Project 3 & 4 (TAPP 3&4) using
pan type laboratory concrete mixer. Mixing sequence and time was
also standardized in all the mixes to minimize the variations. The
3000 KN automatic compression testing machine was used to
determine the strength properties of concrete mixes.

Results and Discussions

Test results of properties of fresh and hardened concrete are given
in Table–7. The main observations are as follows.
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Workability
The spherical shaped
particles of fly ash act
as miniature ball
bearing within the
concrete mix and which
leads to the
improvement of
workability of concrete
or reduction of unit
water content. In the
present study we have
kept the same unit
water content for a
particular series of
mixes of same
cementitious content,
hence to maintain the
same workability of
concrete the admixture dosage are reduced as the fly ash content
is increased from 0% to 50%. Figure-1 shows the details of
admixture dosage versus fly ash content of concrete mixes with
di erent cementitious content. From figure-1, it can be observed
that for all ranges of cementitious content, the reduction in
admixture dosage with increase in fly ash percentage takes place
to maintain the same workability.

The improvement of workability or reduction of admixture dosage

is not observed when GGBS and HRM are used as a replacement of
cement. This could be due to the fact that the particle shapes of
GGBS and HRM are non spherical. The Figure-2 shows the details
of admixture dosage versus control, GGBS and HRM mixes with
di erent cementitious content. From Figure-2, it can be observed
that to obtain similar workability for control, GGBS and HRM
mixes, no specific trend of admixture dosage could be established.
 Density and Air Content

It is observed that air content of the concrete mix is una ected by
(/)
the replacement of cement by fly ash, GGBS and HRM. As fly ash
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and GGBS have lower specific gravity as compared to cement,
there is a slight reduction in the density of concrete at a higher
level of cement replacement.

Initial and Final Setting Time

Setting characteristics of concrete depends upon various
parameters like ambient temperature, concrete temperature,
cement type, pozzolanic type, admixture type, and their relative
quantities. To study the e ect of replacement of cement by
di erent pozzolanic material on setting characteristics of concrete
in 350 kg/cum and 450 kg/cum cementitious content concrete
mixes, the initial and final setting time are determined. For fly ash
mixes normally it is expected that use of fly ash will retard the
setting time of concrete. In this study high range water reducing
and retarding superplasticizer (ASTM C- 494 Type G) has been used
and the quantity of superplasticizer is getting reduced as the
percentage of fly ash is increasing to maintain the same
workability. Therefore, the retardation due to increase in fly ash
percentage is getting compensated by the reduction of retarding
type super plasticizer in concrete mix.

The initial and final setting time of 350 kg/cum and 450 kg/cum
cementitious content concrete mixes with di erent pozzolanic
materials are determined and results are presented in Table-7. No
significant change is observed on the setting characteristic of
concrete with di erent pozzolanic materials.

Compressive Strength at Various Ages

Compressive strength of all the mixes is determined at 3, 7, 28, 56,
and 90 days. For each set of cementitious content the
development of compressive strength at various ages with respect
to di erent percentages of fly ash, GGBS and HRM are shown in
Figure 3 to 6, Figure 7 to 9, and Figure 10 to 13 respectively. The
observations are as follows:

a. From Figure 3 to 6, it is observed that as the fly ash content

increases, there is reduction in the strength of concrete. This
reduction is more at earlier ages as compared to later ages.
b. For a particular fly ash replacement level, say 40%, the
strength development with reference to control mix is much
lower at early ages than that of later ages. For concrete
mixes of 350 kg/cum and 400 kg/cum cementitious content,
 3 days compressive strength is only around 45% of control

mix, while it improves gradually to 84% of control mix at 90
(/) days. For concrete mixes of 450 kg/cum and 500 kg/cum
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cementitious content, 3 days compressive strength is around
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60% of control mix, while it improves gradually to 90% of
control mix at 90 days. It is also observed that the
compressive strength development with respect to control
mix improves as the total cementitious content increases.
c. From Figure 7 to 9, it is observed that for 50% replacement of
cement by GGBS, compressive strength reduces at all ages
for all the cementitious content with respect to control mix.
Concrete mixes with 60% replacement shows higher
reduction in compressive strength as compared to that of
50% replacement.

d. The reduction in compressive strength with replacement of

cement by GGBS is more at early ages as compared to later
ages.
e. From Figure 10 to 13, it
is observed that the
replacement of cement
by 7.5% and 10% HRM
indicates a mixed trend.
In majority of cases,
there is a slight increase
in the compressive strength as compared to control mixes.
Compressive strength of control mix and 7.5% HRM mix are
almost in the same range. However, 10% HRM mixes indicate
higher compressive strength as compared to control mix
especially in the 400, 450, and 500 kg/cum cementitious
content.
f. To compare the e ect of di erent pozzolanic materials, 450
kg/cum cementitious content mix is analyzed for
compressive strength as a percentage of control mix at 7, 28,
and 56 days for all replacement levels of pozzolanic
materials.
 Figure 14 shows the e ect of di erent pozzolanic materials on 7,

28, and 56 days
(/) compressive strength of
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450 kg/cum
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cementitious content
mix with respect to
control mix. It is
observed that for fly
ash and GGBS mixes;
there is an
improvement in
strength development
with increase in ages at
all levels of
replacements. This
confirms that
secondary reaction of
these pozzolanic
materials with calcium
hydroxides, which
results in C-S-H,
improves the strength
of concrete at later
ages.

For concrete mixes with

HRM, it is observed that
even at initial ages
there is an
improvement of
strength as compared
to control mix.
However, the
percentage increase
with respect to control
mix at 28 days and 56
days is relatively less.
This is probably due to
the fact that higher
finesses of HRM leads to
early pozzolanic
reaction and improved
strength at early ages.

Modulus of
Elasticity
The modulus of
elasticity was
determined using 150
mm diameter and 300
mm high cylinder
specimen as per IS: 516
at 28 and 56 days. The
mix of 450 kg/m3
cementitious content
was selected for
determination of
modulus of elasticity.
Figure-15 gives the
details of E-value of
 concrete mixes with

various percentage of
(/) fly ash, GGBS and HRM.
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From this figure, it can
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be observed that at 28
days for all percentage
of Fly ash and GGBS,
there is reduction in E-
value and this
reduction increases
with the increase in
replacement levels.
HRM mixes shows E-
value very close to control mix and at 10% replacement level E-
value is slightly higher than that of control mix. At 56 days E-value
of all the mixes increases as compared to 28 days. As the fly ash
and GGBS percentage increases the E-value reduces, however this
reduction in E-value is much lower as compared to reduction in
compressive strength at same age. This indicates that cement and
aggregate characteristics have a greater e ect on modulus of
elasticity than the use of fly ash and GGBS.

Durability of Concrete
One of the major advantages of use of pozzolanic materials in
concrete mixes is to improve the durability of concrete. The
existence of large pores and large crystalline products in the
transition zone in OPC concrete are greatly reduced by the
introduction of fine particles of pozzolanic materials. The decrease
in the pore interconnectivity of concrete thus decreases the
permeability of blended concrete. The reduced permeability
results in improved long term durability and resistance to various
forms of deterioration of concrete structures.

The permeability of concrete was determined by means of Rapid

Chloride Penetration Test (RCPT) as per ASTM C-1202 on 100 mm
diameter and 51 mm thick concrete cores extracted from the
various samples of concrete mixes. RCPT was conducted at 28, 56,
and 90 days of age for various combinations of mixes. Figures-16
to 19 show the details of RCPT value. From these figures, it can be
observed that generally there is reduction in permeability of
concrete as the cementitious content increases (or w/cm
decreases) at all ages. Reduction in permeability of concrete with
the incorporation of fly ash is marginal at 28 days of age, but at 56
and 90 days age, the permeability of fly ash concrete is
considerably lower as compared to concrete without fly ash.
Similar trend is observed for GGBS and HRM concrete mixes also.
However, reduction in RCPT value of HRM mixes at 56 and 90 days
is lower as compared to the fly ash mixes and GGBS mixes. At 90
days of the age the concrete mixes with fly ash show lower
permeability as compared to GGBS and HRM mixes. This is
probably due to the extended pozzolanic reaction of fly ash
concrete mixes. Therefore, this study proves conclusively that the
concrete containing pozzolanic materials is less permeable as
compared to OPC concrete for all ranges of cementitious contents.

Development of W/Cm Curves for Mix Design

Based on the various research carried out on fly ash, GGBS and
HRM concrete, published data and the results of above
experimental study; it is proved that pozzolanic materials can
gainfully be used in making concrete of desired grades of
 improved characteristics at fresh and hardened stage, durable,

eco-friendly and economical without any reservation.
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Concrete mix proportioning with pozzolanic materials as a
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cementitious ingredient is slightly tricky as compared to the OPC
concrete. It depends on various parameters like type of pozzolanic
materials, their characteristics, percentage of replacement, age at
which desired strength is required, reheological characteristics of
concrete mix and durability criteria. From this study, it is clear that
simple replacement of cement by pozzolanic materials
reduces/improves the strength of concrete at early ages and the
development of strength at various ages is related to total
cementitious content or W/Cm and the percentage replacement of
cement by pozzolanic materials. To simplify the mix proportioning
process, based on the above study, strength versus W/Cm graphs
are plotted for di erent percentages of fly ash, GGBS and HRM.
Figures-20 and 21 give the strength versus W/Cm graphs at 28 days
and 56 days age respectively. For a given type of concrete
ingredients these graphs can be used to quickly design the
concrete mix proportions of the desired grade. Based on the 28
days target mean strength the required W/Cm can be selected
from the graphs depending on the type and percentage of
pozzolanic materials in the mix. Unit water content can be decided
by the workability requirements and type and dosage of
admixture. Total cementitious contents, quantity of cement and
pozzolanic materials is then calculated. Quantities of coarse and
fine aggregates shall be worked out based on absolute volume
method.

It is also observed from the study that there is a considerable

increase in the compressive strength of concrete with fly ash and
GGBS beyond 28 days. Therefore, structures like ra , footing and
column etc. where design load is not expected to come on 28th
day, and the acceptance criteria for fly ash and GGBS concrete can
be based on 56 days compressive strength. Strength versus W/Cm
graphs at 56 days can be used to design concrete mix proportions.
This practice of accepting the concrete mix at 56 days will help in
utilizing the development of strength of fly ash and GGBS concrete
beyond 28 days, reduction in total cementitious content and
overall economy of the concrete mix without compromising the
quality of concrete.

To generalize the strength versus W/Cm curves for di erent

pozzolanic material percentages, it is desired that similar type of
exercises be conducted by various organizations using di erent
types of concrete ingredients. All such data can be analyzed
carefully giving due consideration to input materials and
generalized graphs shall be developed. This will encourage many
users to adopt concrete with these pozzolanic materials
extensively.

Conclusions
India has a vast resource of fly ash generation all across the
country. This material if segregated, collected and used properly
can solve the major problems of fly ash disposal and reduce the
use of cement, which consumes lot of energy and natural
resources. Similarly, the vast reserves of Kaolin can also be utilized
for manufacturing HRM, which can work as a quality pozzolanic
material. In India, the use of GGBS in the manufacturing of
Portland slag cement is gaining popularity however for the
 e ective utilization of large quantity of GGBS, it is essential to use

it as a partial replacement of cement in concrete. In India, many
(/) organizations are putting their e orts to promote the awareness of
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fly ash concrete and its advantages. However very limited work
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has been carried out on GGBS and HRM as pozzolanic materials in
concrete.

The experimental exercise has helped to study the various

properties of concrete with di erent replacement levels of fly ash,
GGBS, and HRM and to develop the mix design curves for concrete
mix proportioning with various percentages of these pozzolanic
materials. Based on the studies conducted by authors following
conclusions are drawn:
1. Use of fly ash improves the workability of concrete. This
phenomenon can be used either to reduce the unit water
content of mix or to reduce the admixture dosage. GGBS and
HRM mixes show no significant change in workability
characteristic of concrete.
2. Density and air content of concrete mixes are generally
una ected with the use of pozzolanic materials.
3. Due to adjustment of admixture dosage to obtain similar
workability in all concrete mixes, no significant change in
setting characteristics are observed for a particular
cementitious content.
4. For fly ash and GGBS mixes as the percentage of
replacement increases concrete strength reduces. This
reduction is more at earlier ages as compared to later ages.
This is expected, as the secondary hydration due to
pozzolanic action is slower at initial stage.
5. The strength of HRM mixes from 7 days onwards is observed
to be higher than that of control mixes. As HRM percentage
replacement increases further improvement in strength is
observed.
6. Modulus of elasticity of fly ash and GGBS concrete also
reduces with the increase in replacement levels for a given
W/Cm. Reduction in E-value is much lower as compared to
compressive strength.
7. Concrete with pozzolanic materials is more durable as
compared to OPC concrete. Significant reduction in RCPT
values at 56 and 90 days is observed for all the three
pozzolanic materials. At 90 days, fly ash mixes have lower
RCPT values as compared to GGBS and HRM mixes indicating
extended pozzolanic reaction.
8. Compressive strength versus W/Cm curves developed for
di erent percentages of pozzolanic materials can be used as
a quick guide for concrete mix proportioning.

Acknowledgments
Authors are grateful to Sh. O. P. Goyal, Site Director and Sh.
H.D.Singh, Chief Construction Engineer for their guidance and
encouragement. Authors are also thankful to the sta of Concrete
Technology Laboratory TAPP 3&4 who have performed the trial
mix studies and helped in testing and analyzing the test results.

The opinions expressed in this article, are those of the authors,

and do not necessarily reflect the o icial views of TAPP-3&4.

References
 ACI Committee, "Use of fly ash in concrete" ACI 232.2R-95.

ACI Committee, "Ground granulated blast furnace slag as a
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cementitious constituent in Concrete" ACI 233 R-95.
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American Standard specification for Coal fly ash and raw of
calcined natural pozzolana for use as a mineral admixture in
concrete, ASTM C – 618.
Indian Standard, Pulverized fuel ash – Specification, Part I,
for use as pozzolana in cement mortar and concrete (Second
Revision), IS 3812 (Part 1): 2003.
Specification for ground granulated blast furnace slag for
use with Portland cement, BS 6699: 1992.
Malhotra V. M., Ramezanianpour A. A., "Fly ash in concrete,"
Second edition, September 1994.
Mittal Amit, Kaisare M.B., Shetti R.G., "Experimental study on
use of fly ash in concrete," International Congress on fly ash
utilization, 4th–7th December 2005, New Delhi.
Mittal Amit "Chemical Admixtures—An Experience in using
4000 MT in Nuclear Industry," National Seminar on RMC &
Chemical Admixture for Concrete Technology, March, 14–15
2003, Mumbai.
Mittal Amit, Kaisare M.B., Shetti R.G., "Use of SCC in a pump
house at TAPP 3&4, Tarapur," the Indian Concrete journal Vol
78, June 2004 No 6 pp 30–34.
Mittal Amit, Lahari A. K, Bapat S. G, "Use of Fly ash in
concrete and Quality Aspects," DAE Concrete Day
Celebration, September 22, 2003, Mumbai.
Basu P. C., Saraswati Subhajit, "High volume fly ash concrete
with Indian ingredients," the Indian Concrete Journal Vol 80,
March 2006, No 3 pp 37–48.
Basu P C, Saraswati Subhajit, "Concrete composites with
ground granulated blast furnace slag," the Indian Concrete
Journal Vol 80, June 2006 No 6 pp 29– 40.
Mavinkurve S.S, Basu P C and Kulkarni V.R, "High
Performance Concrete having High Reactivity Metokaolin,"
the Indian Concrete Journal Vol 77, May 2003 No 5 pp 1077–
1085.
Mittal Amit "Experience of using Micro silica in Indian
Nuclear Power Plants," New Building Materials and
Construction World, Vol.10, Issue-12, June 2005, pp 18–33.
Technical literature "Ground Granulated Blastfurnace Slag—
A new generation engineering product," M/s Indorama
Cement Ltd., Mumbai.
Technical literature on High Reactive Metkaolin, M/s 20
Microns, Mumbai.

NBMCW October 2006

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