Laboratory investigation of workability and mechanical properties of concrete utilizing fly ash and iron ore tailing waste

The rapid economic growth, industrialization, and urbanization have led construction sector to face the scarcity of natural conventional aggregates (NCA). Replacement of NCA with alternative materials in construction sector is crucial for the present scenario. The present study focuses on preparation of geopolymer coarse aggregate (GCA) with optimum molarity of alkaline activator solution utilizing fly ash (FA) and iron ore tailing (IOT) waste. Further, concrete was produced utilizing different proportion of GCA with replacement of NCA. Slump cone, compaction factor and Vee-bee consistometer test were workability properties and compressive, split tensile and flexural strength test were mechanical properties of concrete evaluated. Results clearly indicate that ease, homogeneity and mechanical properties of concrete with 50% GCA and 50% NCA gives comparable results. However, replacement of GCA with NCA resulted in significant reduction in workability and mechanical properties of concrete irrespective of GCA and NCA proportion.