MECHANICAL AND DURABILITY CHARACTERISTICS OF BLAST FURNACE SLAG CONCRETE UNDER PAKISTANI CONDITIONS

Abstract

The construction industry in Pakistan has traditionally relied on Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC)–based concrete, despite its high energy consumption and significant carbon emissions. Over the last four decades, increasing attention has been directed toward alternative supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), particularly blast furnace slag, as a means to enhance concrete performance and sustainability. Blast furnace slag, a byproduct of iron and steel production, possesses latent hydraulic and pozzolanic properties that make it suitable for use in cement and concrete applications. This article presents a comprehensive review of slag, containing concrete in Pakistan, drawing insights from approximately forty years of research, field applications, and industrial experience. The paper discusses the production and characteristics of blast furnace slag, its historical development and utilization in Pakistan, the mechanical and durability performance of slag-based concrete, environmental and economic benefits, challenges limiting its widespread adoption, and prospects for sustainable construction. The review demonstrates that blast furnace slag has significant potential to reduce cement consumption, improve durability, and support environmentally responsible infrastructure development in Pakistan.

Keywords: Blast furnace slag; Slag-containing concrete; Sustainable construction; Supplementary cementitious materials; Pakistan.