IMPACT OF ECO FRIENDLY BLAST FURNACE SLAG ON PRODUCTION OF BUILDING BLOCKS

Abstract

Solid waste management is one of the prime concerns in the world due to ever increasing proportion of non-biodegradable industrial waste product. Blast Furnace Slag (BFS) is one of the largest by products of steel and iron industries which creates scarcity of land filling area due to ineffective reuse and recycle. The use of such substance to create building blocks not most effective makes it economical, however it also enables in decreasing disposal concern. Clay bricks are the oldest walling material of construction industries. Due to preferable mechanical properties bricks are considered as prime source of masonry units that is used as walling material. Conventional clay bricks required burning process known as kiln firing which emits huge amount of CO2 into the atmosphere. World is facing same problem with the production of cement too. The major reasons behind pollution and environment depletion are due to unremitting decay in natural resources caused form deriving of raw materials such as sand, clay and dirt and also from huge amount of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes produced by the industries. Reuse of industrial waste such as BFS instead of naturally occurring raw material leads to contribute towards green environment. Present study intended toward use of steel and iron industry waste for manufacturing of building blocks to promote low cost housing along with mitigation of environmental violation. Based on the results, BFS may effectively replace with naturally occurring fine aggregates due to favourable physical properties. Durability aspects in terms of water absorption and compressive strength also found adequate as per the requirement of IS codes. An amount of partial to full replacement of BFS may allow as per required weathering conditions.