Use of ferrochrome ash (FCA) and lime dust in concrete preparation

Ferrochrome ash (FCA) is a discarded waste of the ferroalloys industry. The viability of FCA as a supplementary cementitious material for production of environmental friendly concrete is discussed in this paper. FCA is modified with lime dust to enhance the performance of concrete. To evaluate the functional behaviour of concrete made of FCA and lime, replacing equal mass of ordinary Portland cement (OPC), an experimental programme comprising a series of tests related to mechanical properties and durability were addressed at the age of 28, 91 and 180 days. FCA was substituted up to 40% in four different substitutions at an interval of 10%. Substitution of lime was considered as 7%, after studying its effect on blended cement based concrete. The impact of FCA and lime on properties of concrete was positive and encouraging at all ages. Results of 28 days, at highest replacement of 47% OPC (40% FCA and 7% lime) were close to those of normal concrete, for which maximum substitution of FCA is considered as 40%. Results were established by microscopic studies like petrography examinations. Relations between various properties were well compared having correlation coefficient nearer to 1. Utilization of FCA in concrete making will be helpful in reducing production of OPC, minimising green house emissions, lowering energy consumption, managing environmental burden and conserving natural resources.