Your encyclopedia of terms used in the industrial flooring industry.

Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS)

Summary

Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS) - is a pozzolan used for its low cost and chemical resistant properties.

Technical Information

GGBFS can replace 6-60% of the Portland cement in a concrete mix, depending on which of its properties it is chosen for.

It is a by-product of the steel industry, therefore, it is cheaper and more environmentally friendly to use than Portland cement due to it being a recycled waste product.

Some properties of concrete containing GGBFS compared to concrete containing 100% Portland cement are:

  • Lower heat of hydration – makes it useful for deep pours as it lowers peak temperature in the pour, therefore reduces micro cracking caused by large thermal gradients.
  • Higher ultimate strength.
  • Lower early strength – this makes it problematic for construction schedules where quick setting and hardening are required.
  • Higher resistance to sulphate attack.
  • Lower porosity – decreased chloride diffusivity and freeze-thaw.
  • Improved workability with same water to binder ratio.
  • Reduced risk of alkali-silica reaction.

GGBFS is used frequently in places that require high resistance to chemical attack; like in marine environments or areas where grit-salt is laid regularly. It is also favoured for some architectural applications because it has a lighter colour than Portland.

Related Definitions

Freeze-Thaw , Pulverised Fuel Ash (PFA) , Heat Of Hydration , Admixture , Calcium Silicate Hydrate (C-S-H)

Resources

British Standards Institute: EN 15167-1

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