Synergistic Utilization of Industrial By-products for Developing Sustainable High-Strength Concrete

Abstract

The increasing environmental impact of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) production necessitates the development of sustainable alternatives in concrete technology. This study investigates the performance of high-strength concrete (HSC) incorporating industrial byproducts, namely fly ash (FA), ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), and silica fume (SF), as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). An experimental program was designed using binary and ternary blended mixes with a constant water-to-binder ratio, targeting M60 grade concrete. The results indicate that the inclusion of SCMs significantly enhances mechanical and durability properties. Ternary blends demonstrated superior performance compared to control and binary mixes, with the optimal mix (15% FA, 15% GGBS, and 5% SF) achieving the highest compressive strength and improved tensile and flexural behavior. Durability assessments revealed reduced water absorption, lower chloride ion permeability, and enhanced sulfate resistance, attributed to refined pore structure and increased C–S–H formation. Additionally, partial cement replacement up to 45% contributes to reduced carbon emissions and promotes sustainable waste utilization. The findings establish that ternary blended HSC offers a viable and eco-efficient solution for modern construction applications.