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Procedia Manufacturing 46 (2020) 194–201
13th International Conference Interdisciplinarity in Engineering (INTER-ENG 2019)

Influence
13thof Blast Furnace
International Slag on theinDurability
Conference Interdisciplinarity Characteristic
Engineering (INTER-ENG 2019) of
Road Concrete Such as Freeze-Thaw Resistance
Influence of Blast Furnace Slag on the Durability Characteristic of
a
RoadLiliana Maria Nicula
Concrete Such , Ofelia Corbua,b,c,*, Mihai
as Freeze-Thaw Iliescua
Resistance 0F

a
Technical University of Cluj Napoca, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Constantin Daicoviciu Street nr. 15, Cluj Napoca 400020, Romania
a and Technology, a,b,c, a CP-33
Liliana Maria Nicula , Ofelia Corbu *, Mihai Iliescu
b
Ressearch Institute for Construction Equipment ICECON S.A. Bucharest 021652,
c
Center of ExcellenceGeopolymer & Green Technology, Schhol of Materials Engineering, University Malayesia,01000Kangar, Perlis
0F

a
Technical University of Cluj Napoca, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Constantin Daicoviciu Street nr. 15, Cluj Napoca 400020, Romania
b
Ressearch Institute for Construction Equipment and Technology, ICECON S.A. Bucharest 021652, CP-33
c
Center of ExcellenceGeopolymer & Green Technology, Schhol of Materials Engineering, University Malayesia,01000Kangar, Perlis
Abstract

The present paper assesses the state of degradation from the action of the freeze-thaw phenomenon on the new cement mixes
made
Abstractwith addition of granulated and ground blast furnace slag (GGBS) but also with partial replacement of the natural
aggregates with different percentages of artificial aggregates from ungranulated and crushed blast furnace slag (ACBS).The
purpose
The of this
present study
paper is to evaluate
assesses theofbehavior
the state of road
degradation fromconcrete mixtures
the action of theversus blends made
freeze-thaw with conventional
phenomenon on the newmaterials for an
cement mixes
extended
made period
with of repeated
addition freeze-thaw
of granulated and cycles.
ground Thus,
blast from 100slag
furnace freeze-thaw
(GGBS)cycles,
but alsoas iswith
commonly practiced for of
partial replacement road
theconcrete,
natural
the test period
aggregates withwas extended
different to up to of
percentages 150artificial
cycles and then upfrom
aggregates to 300 freeze-thawand
ungranulated cycles. Three
crushed blends
blast wereslag
furnace made with 15%
(ACBS).The
addition
purpose ofofthis
slagstudy
powder
is toofevaluate
less than
the 63 μm and
behavior of 20%, 40%, 60%
road concrete of artificial
mixtures versus aggregates
blends made ofwith
0/4mm that replaced
conventional the natural
materials for an
sand.The variation
extended period of of the dynamic
repeated elasticcycles.
freeze-thaw modulusThus,at 150
fromcycles and, respectively,
100 freeze-thaw cycles, at
as 300 freeze-thaw
is commonly cycles for
practiced wasroad
tested by the
concrete,
non-destructive
the test period wasultrasonic methodon
extended laboratory
to up to samples.
150 cycles It was
and then up thus noticed
to 300 that in the
freeze-thaw mixture
cycles. in which
Three blends15% added
were madeslag powder
with 15%
and 60% of
addition artificial aggregates
slag powder of lesswere incorporated
than 63 μm andthe 20%,durability
40%, 60%performance wasaggregates
of artificial affected, especially
of 0/4mmatthat 300replaced
freeze-thaw cycles.
the natural
However, variation
sand.The in the mixture with 15%elastic
of the dynamic addedmodulus
slag powder
at 150and 40%and,
cycles artificial aggregates
respectively, at 300 thefreeze-thaw
durability characteristics improved
cycles was tested by the
compared to theultrasonic
non-destructive previous methodon
blend and laboratory
in the mixture with It15%
samples. wasaddition of slag
thus noticed thatpowder and 20%
in the mixture in artificial
which 15% aggregates thepowder
added slag results
were muchartificial
and 60% better than those obtained
aggregates in blends made
were incorporated the with conventional
durability materials.
performance was affected, especially at 300 freeze-thaw cycles.
However, in the mixture with 15% added slag powder and 40% artificial aggregates the durability characteristics improved
© 2019 The
compared to theAuthors.
previousPublished
blend and by Elsevier
in the mixtureB.V..
with This
15% is an open
addition access
of slag article
powder and under the CC aggregates
20% artificial BY-NC-ND the license
results
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
were much better than those obtained in blends made with conventional materials.
Peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the 13th International Conference Interdisciplinarity in
© 2020
2019The
Engineering
© TheAuthors.
Authors.Published
Publishedby Elsevier B.V. B.V.. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
by Elsevier
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the 13th International Conference Interdisciplinarity in Engineering.
Peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the 13th International Conference Interdisciplinarity in
Engineering

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +40-743-799788.

E-mail address: Corbu.Ofelia@staff.utcluj.ro

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +40-743-799788.

2351-9789© 2019 Corbu.Ofelia@staff.utcluj.ro
E-mail address: The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the 13th International Conference Interdisciplinarity in Engineering
2351-9789© 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the 13th International Conference Interdisciplinarity in Engineering

2351-9789 © 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.

This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)
Peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the 13th International Conference Interdisciplinarity in Engineering.
10.1016/j.promfg.2020.03.029
 Liliana Maria Nicula et al. / Procedia Manufacturing 46 (2020) 194–201 195
2 Liliana Maria Nicula et al. / Procedia Manufacturing 00 (2019) 000–000

Keywords: Road concrete; blast furnace slag powder; artificial aggregates from blast furnace slag; freeze-thawresistance; durability

1. Introduction

The present study investigates the influence of blast furnace slag from local sources on some durability features
of road concrete mixtures, such as water absorption, measurements of the depth of penetration of water under
pressure, dynamic modulus of elasticity and freeze-thaw resistance through non-destructive methods, granulated and
ground blast furnace slag (GGBS) was used as a contribution to the cement mass but also as a substitute for cement,
and the ungranulated and crushed blast furnace slag (ACBS) has been used as a substitute in different percentages of
natural aggregates sort 0/4mm.The freeze-thaw phenomenon, the subject of this study, on road concretes classified
in the special concrete categories, represents a feature of sustainability from a set of factors related to the operating
environment and contributing to their deterioration. The use of cement with type II mineral additions influences the
evolution of hardened concrete resistances through a greater increase in resistance after 28 days, compared to
concretes prepared with Portland cement [1].Regarding the replacement of natural aggregates with artificial
aggregates from crushed blast furnace slag, researches are in a smaller number than those where the cement was
replaced with ground slag. AliMardani [2] tested the performance at 300 freeze-thawcycles, by non-destructive
methods, of compacted type (RCC)concrete[2-3-4] designed with cement and additions of fly ash, with practical
applications for dams, airport runways and road coats. Type RCC mixtureswere prepared by replacing the cement on
the one hand and by replacing the aggregate with different percentages of fly ash. The freeze-thaw test procedure
was determined according to ASTMC666/C666M-03[2-5]. The tests were performed on concrete samples kept in
the air in the thermostatic chamber from (5 ± 2)°C to (-18 ± 2)°C for 3 hours for the freeze cycle followed by a thaw
cycle in water at (5 ± 2)°C for an hour. The results of this study showed that replacing the aggregate with different
percentages of fly ash is more efficient in terms of durability characteristics compared to mixtures prepared with the
replacement of the cement with fly ash.

2. Materials

2.1. Binders, aggregates, water and additives

Portland cement CEM I 42,5R was used as a binder, according to the requirements of NE014:2002 [6] and
granulated and ground furnace slag (GGBS). The cement was purchased from the factory in Aleşd, pertaining to
S.C.HOLCIM Romania S.A., bearing technical specifications in accordance with SR EN 197-1:2011 [7].The
granulated blast furnace slag was purchased from ArcelorMittal. Testing performed by the manufacturer to (GGBS)
shows that the sum of the percentages of CaO+MgO+SiO2is 84,05 [%]and the percentage ratio (CaO+MgO)/(SiO2is
1,3.Granulated and ground furnace slag, having a puzzolanicor latent hydraulic characteristic, was used as a type II
additionin concrete mixtures to improve some properties and to confer special properties,according to the provisions
of SR EN 197-1:2011and SR EN 15167-1:2007 [8]. The puzzolanic characteristics of slag powder have the ability to
react with Ca(OH)2 in the presence of the cement matrix and H2O.The reaction rate is given by intrinsic
characteristics, such as the specific surface, the chemical composition and the active phase content,[9-10].The
specific surface area of the slag powder determined in the laboratory was 5770 cm2/g, and that of the cement was
4385 cm2/g.
The natural aggregates used are:Natural sand from borrow pitsort 0/4 mm, (NA_0/4), borrow pit coarse crushed
aggregate(gravel) size 4/8 mm (CA_4/8), quarry coarse crushed rock (chippings)size 8/16 mm, (CA_8/16) and
16/25 mm (CA_16/25). The essential characteristics for the natural aggregates have been determined by the
manufacturer by product standards SR EN 12620+A1:2008[11]and SR 667:2001 [12].Artificial aggregates (ACBS),
non-granular and crushed blast furnace slag 0/4 mm, were also purchased from ArcelorMittalwith the essential
characteristics for use in accordance with SR EN 12620:2003+A1:2008 and determined by the manufacturer. From
the results of the reports for aggregates we mention: The content of fine particles f3 for natural aggregates was 0/4
mm, respectively f3,5 for artificial aggregates, the Micro-Deval ratio for coarse aggregates was 6%, the water
absorption ratio WA242 for natural aggregates was 0/4 mm and WA241,4 for coarse aggregates.
196 Liliana Maria Nicula et al. / Procedia Manufacturing 46 (2020) 194–201
Liliana Maria Nicula et al. / Procedia Manufacturing00 (2019) 000–000 3

The additives used were distributed by the company BASF:super plasticizing additive MasterGlenium SKY 527
percentage (1,0÷1,2)%,with powerful water reducer features and the air-entraining admixture percentage
(0,3÷0,5)%. Mixtures were prepared with potable water from the water supply system of the city of Cluj-Napoca.

2.2. Methods

This experimental study has established some durability characteristics, such as water absorption, determining the
depth of water penetration under pressure, dynamic elastic modulus and freeze-thawresistance by non-destructive
methods. The test tubes were prepared and the formwork removed after 24 hours after encasing, then they were kept
in water. After 7 days, the test tubes were removed from the water and kept in air at a room temperature of(20±2)°C
and a humidity of (65±5) % until the time of the testing.

3. Experimental program

3.1. Mixtures of road concrete

Five different mixtures of concrete were prepared, of which 2 control mixtures prepared with conventional
materials and 3 mixtures with different quantities of artificial furnace slag materials. The 2 mixtures of road concrete
prepared with conventional materials are differentiated by the different dosages of cement of 360 kg and 414 kg
Portland CEM I 42,5R cement, symbolically referred to as S(360) 0/0 and S(414) 0/0. In the mixtures designed with
artificial furnace slag materials the same amount of binder, 414 kg, was used for each, of which 360 kg of cement
CEM I 42,5R and 54 kg of ground blast-furnace slag under 63µ (GGBS) and three different percentages of artificial
aggregate from non-granular and crushed blast furnace slag, size 0/4mm, (ACBS). As a percentage, the blast furnace
slag represents 13% of the cement substitution, compared to the control mixture S(414) 0/0, respectively 15% as a
contribution to the cement mass, compared to the control mixture S(360)0/0.The percentages of artificial aggregates
of 20%, 40%, 60% were set against the amount of natural sand of 0/4from the recipe, keeping within the
admissibility limits of the granulometric curve.The new mixtures with artificial furnace slag materials with 54 kg
(GGBS) and 20%, 40%, 60% (ACBS) have been symbolically referred to as S 54/20, S 54/40, S 54/60. The mixture
of aggregates was made by combining 32% from the 0/4 mm sort, 18% from the 4/8 mm sort, 25% from the 8/16
mm sort, 25% from the 16/25 mm sort. The granulometric curve of the total aggregatecomplies with the granularity
limits admitted in NE 014: 2002 and with the results interpolated at the intermediate sites stipulated in SR EN 933-
1:2012[13].

3.2. Determining some sustainability characteristics

3.2.1. Determining the water absorption and the apparent density

Water absorption,Wi was determined in accordance with Norm 2414-1991 [14], by using an average of 3 cubic
test tubes with a side of 100 mm, by the immersion method, after 90 days, similar to the method in ASTM C642-97
[2-15].The test tubes with natural humidity were weighed and then kept in the oven at (105+5)°C until they reached
a constant mass (mu). The dried test tubes were immersed in water at a temperature of (20±2)°C and were weighed
after every 24 hours of water absorption until they reached constant mass. At the end of the test the excess of water
was removed and then the specimens were weighed (ms).
Water absorption was determined by equation(1).The apparent density on the reinforced concrete,in a state of
natural humidity ρa, was determined by equation (2).

m s − mu
Wi = x100 (1)
mu
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00 (2019) 000–000194–201 197

m0
ρa = (2)
Vap

Where msthe mass of the saturated test tube, mu the mass of the dried test tube, m0 the mass of the test tube in a
state of natural humidity in grams, Vap the apparent volume calculated based on the measurements with calipers of
the cubes with a side of 100 mm.

3.2.2. Determining the depth of water penetration under pressure

Permeability at an age of 90 days of test tubes for cubes with the side of 200 mm was obtained in accordance
with SR EN 12390-8: 2000 [16].The environmental conditions for the test were carried out at a temperature of
(20±2)°C and a humidity of (65±5)%.The water penetration depth was measured perpendicular to the casting
direction. Before the test, the surface layer was removed from the samples by brushing it. The test tubes were placed
in the testing equipment to which a water pressure of 800KPa was applied for a period of (72±2)h. Checking the
depth of water penetration under pressure (H) was performed by measuring it with callipers, after splitting according
to the method of determination.The interpretation of the results was performed for each series of 3 test tubes at the
maximum values obtained.

3.2.3. Determining the modulus of dynamic elasticity

The modulus of dynamic elasticity Edn was calculated by equation (3) through ultrasonic pulse methods
according to SR EN 12504-4:2004 [17], similar to the methods in the standard ASTM C597[2-18] which involves
measuring the propagation velocity of ultrasonic pulses in concrete, UPV. The UPV values of the concrete mixtures
were determined on test tubes with a 150 mm side at the age of 50 days before placing them in the thermostat room,
and then on the test tubes kept in the thermostat room at 150 freeze-thaw cycles and 300 freeze-thaw cycles.

3.2.4. Determining the freeze-thawresistance by non-destructive methods

The freeze-thaw resistance of the concrete mixtures was determined on six cubic test tubes with side of 150 mm,
in accordance with the procedure SR 3518:2009 [19] carried out at 150 and 300 freeze-thawcycles.The thermostat
room was set to maintain the temperature for the freezing cycle at (-17±2)°C for 4h, and for the thaw cycle up to
(20±2)°C for 4h.The testing period in the study was extended, compared to the provisions of NE 014:2002, from 100
to 150 and 300 freeze-thaw cycles according to SR-3518:2009. The test period was established similarly to the
standard ASTM C666/C666M-03 which stipulates that concrete testing should be performed for up to 300 freeze-
thaw cycles or until the dynamic modulus of elasticity is reduced to 60%[20].In the present study, the test tubes
were kept up to 50 days in air at the temperature of 20°C and a humidity of (65±5)%. Four days before the start of
the testing, the samples were immersed into water bath at a temperatureof (20±5)°C for saturation.The control test
tubes were still kept under water while those for the freeze-thaw cycles were introduced into the thermostat
room.The dynamic modulus of elasticity changes in each mixture were measured at the beginning of the test, at 150
and 300 freeze-thaw cycles. The condition of admissibility in accordance with SR 3518:2009 is that the relative
dynamic modulus of elasticity reduction be at most 15%.The calculation formula is equation (4) for freeze-thaw
resistance according to CEN /TR 15177:2006 [21].Further more,the durability factor (Df) of the mixtures was
calculated using equation (5), [20].

ρ 2 (1 + ν )(1 − 2ν )
E dn = V (3)
g (1 − ν )
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46 (2020) 194–201 5

2
t 
RDM n =  0  x100 (4)
 tn 
n  E dn 
Df = (5)
3  E d 0 
Where Ednis the dynamic modulus of elasticity [MPa], ρ the density of the hardened concrete [kg/m3], V is UPV
[Km/s], υ is Poisson's coefficient as 0,25 for concrete kept in the air, g is gravitational acceleration 9,82 m/s2.
RDMn the modulus of relative elasticity after n freeze-thaw cycles, t0 and tnis the time of ultrasound propagation
initially and after n cycles, Ed0 and Ednthe dynamic elastic modulus at the beginning and after n freeze-thaw
cycles,[MPa]. The value Df over 60 probably indicates a satisfactory reaction [20].

4. Results and discussions

4.1. Water absorptionand the apparent density

The values of water absorption after immersion in water are presented inFig.1, and of the apparent density in the
Table.It can be seen that the values of water absorption of all mixtures are close to 3%, the specified limit for
concrete in accordance with CEB- FIP [2-22]. It can be observed that the values of water absorption increase in the
case of GGBS addition to the cement mass, compared to the control mixture which does not contain slag S(360)0/0
but they are below the control mixture value S(414)0/0 in the case of cement substitution with GGBS.

a) 3.3 S(360) 0/0 Control b) 3.3 S(414) 0/0- Control

3.1 3.1
W [%]
W [%]

2.9 S 54/20 2.9 S 54/20

2.7 S 54/40 2.7 S 54/40
2.5 2.5
After imersion S 54/60 After imersion S 54/60

Fig.1. (a) Water absorption of mixtures with (GGBS) added; (b) with (GGBS) substitution

As shown in Fig.2 there is a linear relationship between the absorption of water and the apparent density on the
reinforced concrete of the mixtures.

a) Cement with (GGBS) added 3.4 b) Cement with (GGBS) substitution

3.2 3.2
absorption [%]
absorption [%]

3 Density 3
y = -1.5639x + 6.6316 y = 0.9631x + 0.0841 Density
2.8
Water

2.8
Water

R² = 0.1183 R² = 0.9992
2.6 Absorption 2.6
2.4 y = 0.5684x + 0.9904 2.4 y = -2.4637x + 8.7105 Absorption
2.2 R² = 0.2476 Liniar 2.2 R² = 0.9207
2.24 2.26 2.28 2.3 (Density) 2.22 2.24 2.26 2.28 2.3 Liniar
(Density)

Fig.2. (a) Relationship between density and water absorption of mixtures with (GGBS) added; (b) with (GGBS) substitution

4.2. Depth of penetration of water under pressure

The most important factors that determine the permeability of the concrete are the entrapped air contentand the
capillary porosity in the hydrated cement matrix[2-23]. The depth values of water penetration under pressure are
shown in Fig.3. It can be observed that the values measured in the mixtures S 54/20 and S 54/40 are low, below
8mm, below the value of the control mixtures, but these increased to 16 mm for the mixture S 54/60. The depth of
water penetration under pressure increases with the level of substitution of artificial aggregates (ACBS).
6 Liliana Maria Nicula et al. / Procedia Manufacturing 00 (2019) 000–000
Liliana Maria Nicula et al. / Procedia Manufacturing 46 (2020) 194–201 199

20 S(360) 0/0 Control 20 S (414) 0/0 Control

H [mm]
H [mm]
S 54/20 S 54/20
0 0
S 54/40 b) Mixtures S 54/40
a) Mixtures
S54/60 S 54/60

Fig.3. (a) Depth (H) of water penetration under pressure of mixtures with (GGBS) added; (b) with (GGBS) substitution, (mm).

4.3. Dynamic elastic modulus

The results of the UPV test (km/s) and Edn [GPa] before placing the test tubes in the thermostat room, to 150,
respectively 300 freeze-thaw cycles are presented in Table 1.The higher the values of UPV and Edn,the higher the
quality of the achieved mixtures is.The values of ultrasonic pulse velocity UPV of all mixtures were higher than 4,5
km/s, specified limit for a strong concrete by [2-24]. Hence denser mixtures S(360) 0/0 and S 54/20 led to an
increase of (UPV), this aspect was also shown by S. K. Rao and collaborators [25].

Table 1.UPVn [km/s] and Edn [GPa]after n cycles freeze-thaw

Mixture Density UPV0 UPV150 UPV300 Ed0 Ed150 Ed0300
3
[g/cm ] [km/s] [km/s] [km/s] [GPa] [GPa] [GPa]
S(360) 0/0 control 2.301 4,644 4,735 4,682 41.35 42.98 42.04
S(414) 0/0 control 2.223 4,610 4,625 4,603 39,37 39,61 39,24
S 54/20 2.298 4,620 4,701 4,642 40,87 42,33 41,26
S 54/40 2.267 4,608 4,630 4,606 40,12 40,50 40,07
S 54/60 2.251 4,600 4,588 4,536 39.69 39,49 38,60

The results indicate that up to 150 freeze-thaw cycles values of UPV150 and Ed150 increased compared to the
values measured before the freeze-thaw cycles,the decrease appears only in the mixture S 54/60, the rest of the
mixtures being unaffected by the freeze-thaw cycles.The evolution of the dynamic modulus of elasticity up to 300
freeze-thaw cycles is presented in Fig.4.

44 44
a) S(360) 0/0 Control b) S(414) 0/0 Control
E dn (GPa)

E dn (GPa)

42 42
40 S 54/20 S 54/20
40
38 S 54/40 S 54/40
38
0 100 200 300
0 100 200 300 S 54/60
S 54/60

Fig.4. (a) Dynamic modulus of elasticity- number of freeze-thaw cycles of mixtures with (GGBS) added; (b) with (GGBS) substitution, (GPa).

4.4. Resistance to freezing and thawing

Reduction of resistance to freezing and thawing after 300 RDM300 cycles, calculated according to CEN /TR
15177 is presented in Fig.5.
Mixtures S(360) 0/0 and S 54/20 are not affected after 300 freeze-thaw cycles, mixture S 54/40 presents a
negligible percentage of 0,12% in the reduction of the resistance to freeze-thaw cycles while mixture S 54/60 has a
reduction in freeze-thaw resistance of 2,74 %. In relation to the values obtained for the dynamic elastic modulus of
300 freeze-thaw cycles (Ed300) the values of the durability factor (Df) were established just like in[20], of the
mixtures in Fig.6.
200 Liliana Maria Nicula et al. / Procedia Manufacturing 46 (2020) 194–201
Liliana Maria Nicula et al. / Procedia Manufacturing00 (2019) 000–000 7

3 S(360) 0/0 Control 3 S (414) 0/0 control

2 S 54/20 2 S 54/20
Reduction RDM

Reduction RDM
S 54/40 S 54/40

300 [%]
1 1
300 [%]

S 54/60
S 54/60
0 0
-1 -1
a) Mixtures b) Mixtures
-2 -2

Fig.5. (a) Reduction RDM300 after 300 freeze-thaw cycles of mixtures with (GGBS) added; (b) with (GGBS) substitution,(%).

105 102
S (360) 0/0 Control S (414) 0/0 Control
100
Df [%]

Df [%]
100 S 54/20 98 S 54/20
96
95 S 54/40 S 54/40
94
a)Mixtures S 54/60 b) Mixtures S 54/60

Fig. 6. (a) Durability factor of mixtures with (GGBS) added; (b) with (GGBS) substitution, [%].

As it can be seen in Fig.6 the durability factor values for all mixtures are higher than 60, the specified limit by
Neville in appreciating a concrete as being satisfactory. It can also be seen in mixtures S(360) 0/0 and S 54/20 that
the durability factor exceeds the percentage of 100%, indicating that mechanical resistance is growing, up to 300
freeze-thaw cycles. In the mixtures with (GGBS) addition, the durability factor is below the control value S(360) 0/0
in all mixtures with blast furnace slag, but in the mixtures with (GGBS) substitutionthe durability factor for mixtures
S 54/20 and S 54/40 is higher than the one obtained in the control mixture S(414) 0/0. It is worth noting that the
values obtained as in fig.6 for Df 300[20] with equation (5), are the same as those obtained for RDM300[21]with
equation (4), although they were calculated by different methods. An important advantage of the non-destructive
methods for assessing the frost-resistance is the possibility to observe the progress of the internal damage sustained
by specimens throughout the freeze-thaw test,[ 26].

5. Conclusions

The present paper studies the influence of the furnace slag on the resistance to freezing for a test period of 300
repeated freeze-thaw cycles. The following conclusions are drawn for the materials used and the test methods
applied.
The results obtained on the two control mixtures were better for the mixture S(360) 0/0 than those for mixture
S(414) 0/0, which apparently seem contradictory because increasing the dosage of cement should lead to the
increase of mechanical resistance.These results can be explained by the fact that, by increasing the dosage of cement
the amount of water needed also increases and the amount of aggregates is diminished. Modifying these quantities in
mixture S (414) 0/0 led to a water absorption and a depth of water penetration under higher pressure compared to
mixture S (360) 0/0.
If the quantity of (GGBS) was used as an addition to the cement mass the values obtained for the dynamic elastic
modulus Ed300 and the reduction of the relative dynamic modulus of elasticity RDM300, are below the values
obtained for the mixture S (360) 0/0. Mixtures S 54/20, S 54/40 proved to be effective on the values obtained for
Ed300 and the reduction of RDM300, compared to the mixture S (414) 0/0, against which the amount of (GGBS) was
used as a substitution for the mass of the cement.
When the replacement level of artificial aggregate (ACBS) increased to 60% in mixture S 54/60, the values
obtained for Ed300 and the reduction of RDM300, after 300 freeze-thaw cycles, decreased compared to the two control
mixtures. The durability factor Df300 obtained is at least 97 for all the designed mixtures, over the limit of 60 at
which a concrete is classified as satisfactory [20], and the reduction of the dynamic modulus of relative dynamic
RDM300 was max. 2.74%, but below the 15% limit admitted in [19].
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The depth of penetration of water under pressure when artificial aggregates (ACBS) replaced by 20% and 40%
natural aggregates was significantly lower than in both control mixtures. For mixture S 54/20 with 81,81%
compared to S(360) 0/0 and 88,23% compared to S(414) 0/0.At the level of substitution with (ACBS) of 60% the
penetration depth of the water under pressure increased by 25 % compared to the control mixture S(360) 0/0.
In terms of costs but also of the results obtained, the design approach is favourable for road concrete mixtures in
which the quantity of (GGBS) was used as a substitution for the cement mass and the artificial aggregate (ACBS)
replaced by 20% and 40% the natural aggregate 0/4 mm compared with the control mixture S(414) 0/0. Increasing
the level of substitution of the artificial aggregates to 60% resulted in a loss of performance for the mixture S
54/60.These results are also confirmed by the previous study [27], in which the results on tensile strength from
bending at 28 days allowed the classification of mixtures S 54/20 and S 54/40 in class BcR5,0 for road concrete,
respectively in class BcR4,5 for mixture S 54/60.

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