International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 12 Issue: 07 | Jul 2025
p-ISSN: 2395-0072
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Replacement of Fine Aggregate with Copper Slag in Concrete: Mechanical Property Evaluation and Optimal Percentage Determination Syed Nawaz Meraj1, Sachin T M2 1PG Student (M. Tech), Department of Civil Engineering, Bangalore Institute of Technology, Karnataka, India 2Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Bangalore Institute of Technology, Karnataka, India
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Abstract - The diminishing availability of natural sand due
behavior through compressive, split tensile, and flexural strength tests. The mix design followed the IS 10262:2019 standard, and a constant water–cement ratio was maintained to isolate the influence of copper slag on strength. The primary purpose is to assess copper slag’s effectiveness as a sustainable component in structural-grade concrete.
to unsustainable mining practices has prompted the search for alternative materials in concrete production. An example of an industrial by-product is copper slag, which exhibits promising physical and chemical traits that make it viable as fine aggregate. This study evaluates the mechanical performance of M30-grade concrete by partially replacing conventional fine aggregate extracted from natural materials with copper slag at 25%, 35%, and 45% levels. A curing duration of 28 days was provided to the cast specimens before subjecting them to compressive, split tensile, and flexural strength assessments. A consistent water–cement ratio was maintained throughout to isolate the influence of copper slag. The results indicate a marked improvement in strength characteristics with increasing slag content, peaking at 45% replacement. These outcomes highlight that copper slag can serve as a sustainable and effective substitute for natural sand, contributing to environmentally conscious and resource-efficient construction practices.
2. LITERATURE REVIEW Gürsel & Ostertag (2019) [1] conducted a life cycle assessment (LCA) on high-strength concrete where copper slag was adopted as a substitute for natural sand. The study showed that replacing 40–50% of fine aggregate by copper slag provided environmental performance similar to conventional concrete. Additionally, the mechanical strength remained unaffected, highlighting copper slag’s suitability for high-efficiency concrete applications. Mahesh Babu & Ravitheja (2019) [2] explored fine aggregate replacement with copper slag in high-strength concrete mixtures. Substitution levels reached 40%, with findings showing compressive strength was unaffected. The study suggested that even complete replacement could be structurally practical.
Key Words: Copper Slag, Fine Aggregate Replacement, M30 Concrete, Compressive Strength, Split Tensile Strength, Flexural Strength, Sustainable Concrete, Industrial Waste Utilization, Concrete Mix Design, Eco-Friendly Construction Materials.
Madhura Sridharan et al. (2020) [3] investigated M40 concrete with fine aggregates swapped for copper slag at a 40% level. The results showed enhanced load-bearing strength, indicating that full substitution could be feasible and reinforcing copper slag’s potential in structural-grade concrete.
1.INTRODUCTION Naturally occurring river sand is extensively adopted as fine aggregate in concrete, but its excessive extraction through unregulated mining has raised serious environmental concerns. As a sustainable alternative, researchers are increasingly focusing on industrial by-products. One such material is copper slag, a residue generated during the smelting of copper, which offers advantageous properties like superior hardness, specific gravity, and silica content. Its application helps tackle waste disposal problems while also helps conserve natural sand resources, aligning with eco-friendly construction practices.
M. Manjunatha et al. (2021) [4] extended testing to higher replacement levels—up to 60% in M40 concrete. They found that copper slag maintained or improved mechanical strength even at these high percentages, underscoring its reliability as a sustainable aggregate substitute. Amruta A. Yadav et al. (2023) [5] focused on M30-grade copper slag–modified concrete with replacement levels up to 30%. Their study reported performance gains and suggested that full replacement is technically feasible for conventional concrete mixes.
This study explores the performance of M30-grade concrete where copper slag replaces fine aggregate at varying proportions—25%, 35%, and 45%. The specimens were cured for 28 days before evaluating their mechanical
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