Mechanical characteristics and water absorption properties of blast-furnace slag concretes with fly ashes or microsilica additions

The paper shows the results of an experimental tests campaign carried out on concretes with recycled aggregates added in substitution of sand. Sand, in fact, has been totally replaced once by blast-furnace slag and fly ashes, once by blast-furnace slag and microsilica. The aim is both to utilize industrial by-products and to reduce the use of artificial aggregates, which impose the opening of pits with high environmental damage. The results show that in the concretes so made the water absorption capacity has reduced and durability has improved. The test campaign and the results described in the present article are certainly useful and can be especially utilized for research on a larger scale in this field.