Effect of copper slag as a fine aggregate on the properties of concrete

The effects of using copper slag as a replacement for sand on the physical properties of concrete were investigated. Copper slag was classified into three types depending on particle size distribution. Concrete mixes were prepared with different proportions of copper slag replacing the sand content, ranging from 0 to 100%. The mixes were evaluated for workability, air content, compressive strength, flexural strength and chemical resistance properties. The chemical resistance was evaluated by measuring weight loss throughout the immersion of cement mortars in a 5% sulfuric acid solution for 28 days. The results indicated rapid increases in workability with increases in the copper slag percentage. The use of copper slag as sand replacement yielded a comparable increase in compressive and flexural strength. The optimum percentage of copper slag for mechanical strength and chemical resistance was 60%.