Incorporating ground granulated blast furnace slag & fly ash in concrete production for sustainable construction: a review

Tariq, Zeeshan and Bahadori-Jahromi, Ali ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0405-7146 (2025) Incorporating ground granulated blast furnace slag & fly ash in concrete production for sustainable construction: a review. Engineering Future Sustainability. pp. 1-30.

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Abstract

Portland cement is the primary source of CO₂ emissions in concrete production due to the energy required for the calcination of limestone, the release of CO₂ from fuel combustion during cement manufacturing, and the hydration process during setting. To mitigate the environmental challenges associated with cement production, the use of industrial waste as cementitious material can significantly reduce both the volume of waste generated and its disposal in landfills, thereby freeing up land for other purposes. Concrete has traditionally incorporated natural pozzolans, waste and recycled materials, and industrial byproducts as partial replacements for Portland cement. Among these, Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS) and Fly Ash (FA) are the most commonly used supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), known for enhancing the mechanical strength, flowability, and durability of concrete. SCMs improve the concrete matrix's resistance to chemical attacks, reduce permeability, and contribute to long-term strength development.

This review highlights the scientific literature on the feasibility and effectiveness of using GGBFS and FA as sustainable alternatives to cement in mortar and concrete production. GGBFS is a byproduct of the iron-making process, while FA is a fine particulate material generated from coal-fired power plants. In literature there are very limited comprehensive review studies for hybrid use of GGBFS and FA to identify optimal blending ratios, microstructural analysis, and mechanical performance trends. Most of the reviews are generic and focus on the individual performance of GGBFS or FA in concrete. This paper presents a detailed discussion of manufacturing processes, physical characteristics, and their impact when used as partial cement replacements in individual and hybrid matrix form. It also summarizes findings from previous studies regarding optimal replacement percentages, which vary depending on the source, mix design, and particle size distribution of the materials. Finally, this review proposes process improvement strategies to optimize the use of GGBFS and FA in future sustainable concrete applications.

Item Type: Article
Identifier: 10.36828/efs.318
Keywords: Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS), Fly Ash (FA), Pozzolanic Reaction, Workability, Compressive Strength, Cement Replacement, CO₂ Emissions, Sustainable Concrete
Subjects: Construction and engineering
Depositing User: Ali Bahadori-Jahromi
Date Deposited: 08 Jul 2025 08:54
Last Modified: 08 Jul 2025 09:15
URI: https://repository.uwl.ac.uk/id/eprint/13837
Sustainable Development Goals: Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure Sustainable Development Goals: Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities Sustainable Development Goals: Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production Sustainable Development Goals: Goal 13: Climate Action

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