Effects of accelerators on early strength development of low-carbon concretes

Abstract

Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS) is added in concrete to lower CO2 emissions. This is one among wider measures taken to improve sustainability in construction industry. However, concrete with slag substitution has low early compressive strength compared to conventional concrete.

The present thesis aimed to determine how the use of available accelerators can increase the early strength development of concrete rich in slag.

After reviewing the relevant literature, tests were performed firstly with mortars and secondly with concrete samples. The type of accelerator and its dosage had been altered to investigate its influence on the early and later strength of concrete.

The low early strength development of slag concretes poses an obstacle for the industry to fully utilize the use of slag concretes. Therefore, boosting the strength development of such concretes with the use of accelerators can widen their use and reduce CO2 emissions from the cement industry.