SLAG CEMENT

USE IN
Agenda
Benefits of Slag
Conditions in Ontario
Usage Considerations
Project Highlights

Mike Stanzel, Essroc Italcementi Group

Bo Ni and Kevin Chevrier, Essroc Readymix
Slag Cement
Non-metallic byproduct of iron
smelting
Silicates and aluminum silicates of calcium
Glassy, sand-like, finely ground

Supplementary Cementitious Material

(SCM)
Hydraulic
Pozzolanic
Benefits of Slag Cement
Energy and Environmental Conservation
Virgin raw material extraction / landfill
CO2 (and other) emissions from clinkering

Fresh / Plastic Concrete Properties

Workability, finishing, segregation, pumping
Setting time extension

Hardened Concrete Properties

Reduced early strength, improved late age strength
Reduced heat evolution
Improved permeability and resistance to chloride
penetration, sulphate attack, ASR, etc.
Predictability & Compatability
Conditions in Ontario
Wide variety in climatic conditions:
Spring: Rainy or dry,
moderate daytime
temperatures, cool
nights.
Summer: Hot and humid
with temperatures
reaching over 30oC (86oF).
Autumn: Rainy or dry,
moderate daytime
temperatures, cool
nights.
Winter: Cold and snowy
with temperatures
dropping below -30oC (- Source: Canadian Climate Normals 1971-2000 (Ottawa City)

22oF) and harsh winds.

Usage Considerations
SCMs are used in 60-80% of concrete produced in Ontario
Slag is the predominant SCM due to market availability and preference
Typical mixes 25% to 35% replacement
May be higher for special conditions (low heat mass concrete, sulfate resistance, etc.)
Adjusted based on ambient temperatures
Usage Considerations
W/Cm ratio still applies for exposure classifications
Most often the governing requirement in this market
Strength development depends on slag reactivity and cement
characteristics
1-day strength estimate reduce by slag replacement percentage (pure w/c ratio)
Later age strengths can be estimated based on past performance or gel-space modelling

* Typical Grade 100 Slag with typical T-GU Portland cement

Usage Considerations
Significant improvement to sulphate resistance
General practice in Ontario is 35% replacement for moderate sulphate
resistance, 50% for high sulphate resistance, considering concrete
exposure classification requirements, cement type, etc.
For Portland Limestone cements, S class exposures at maximum 0.40 w/c
with minimum 40% slag (CSA A23.1-14 Table 3)

* Testing conducted by Davroc Laboratory, 2013

Usage Considerations
Heat Evolution
Slag heat of hydration approximately 50% of Portland Cement
Peak temperature gain of approximately 0.12oC per kg of cement (0.06oC per kg slag)
Mass concrete typically 50% - 65% slag replacement (70% max in CSA A3000)

Setting Time
Generally minimal impact over 15oC (60oF) approximately 30-60 minutes, but
more pronounced under 15oC
Reduce replacement level or use of accelerator (depending on specifications) as
temperature decreases (and field feedback is received), plus heated mix water and
materials.
Proper ACI Cold Weather Practices essential.
Usage Considerations
ASR Mitigation
Some pockets of reactive aggregates
CSA A23.2-27A Standard practice to identify degree of alkali-reactivity of
aggregates and to identify measures to avoid deleterious expansion in concrete

* 14-day Testing conducted by Stantec Laboratory, 2015

Usage Considerations
Chloride Permeability / Resistivity
Significant improvement to rapid chloride permeability
With reactions happening later, new CSH subdivides and blocks initial pore system

Salt Scaling
Typically 25% maximum replacement for sidewalk, driveway, etc. (0.45 w/c, air entrained)
Level adjusted with temperature/weather to account for curing requirements
Usage Considerations
Special Considerations for High Volume SCM
replacement
HVSCM-1 (FA/40 + S/50 > 1) -> 50% slag or more
HVSCM-2 (FA/30 + S/40 >1) -> 40-50% slag
Carbonation (reinforced concrete exposed to air with depth of cover <50mm)
Max 0.40 w/c for HVSCM-1, 0.45 w/c for HVSCM-2 (CSA A23.1-14)
Minimise risk of corrosion of embedded steel due to carbonation of concrete
cover
Max 0.40 w/c for C2 exposure class with HVSCM-1
Strength acceptance age for HVSCM concrete can sometimes be
increased from the typical 28 days to 56 days or possibly 91 days.
Usage Considerations
Special Considerations for HVSCM
Extended curing due to slower strength development
C1, F1, S1, S2: Curing regime 3 for HVSCM-1
A3, A4, C3, C4, F2, S3: Curing regime 2 for HVSCM-1 and HVSCM-2
Otherwise the same as normal concrete

Note: Methods of
protecting concrete from
evapouration of surface
moisture are important
Fog spraying and
evapouration retardants
are particularly effective
Ontario Projects
Bayshore Shopping Centre Redeveloped Parking Garage, Ottawa, ON (2011 - present)

Mix Design 35-C1 mix

40% Type-GUL, 60% Grade 100 Slag
Total Volume ~ 64,000 m3 40mm stone
35 MPa with C1 exposure class RCP 885 Coulombs
LH requirement, <0.04% Linear 28-day Strength > 40 Mpa (5.8 ksi)
Shrinkage, Salt Scaling Max Temp Diff < 20oC
3 thick raft slabs Shrinkage < 0.040%
 Ontario Projects
MacDonald Cartier Inter-provincial Bridge, Ottawa, ON (2014-2015)

Mix Design GUb-S-SF blend

RCP 828 Coulombs
28-day Strength 40-60 MPa (5.8-8.7 ksi)
Total Volume ~ 4,000 m3 Salt Scaling < 0.040%
35-50 MPa (5.0-7.2 ksi) SCC mixes 30% of concrete delivered at night due to
C1 and C-XL exposure class traffic constraints.
< 0.60% Alkali, Salt Scaling requirements All work ceased Jan-April due to weather
 Ontario Projects
Pont des Allumettes Inter-provincial Bridge, Pembroke, ON (2014-2015)

Mix design GUb-S-SF blend

Total Volume ~ 3,000 m3 RCP 317 & 560 Coulombs
35-50 MPa (5.0-7.2 ksi) SCC mixes 28-day Strength 46 - 70 Mpa (6.6 & 10 ksi)
C1 and C-XL exposure class Choride ion content 0.082%
< 0.60% Alkali, Salt Scaling requirements Salt Scaling < 0.040%
Ontario Projects
Chinese Embassy Addition, Ottawa, ON (2015 present)

Mix Design 35-C1 mix

Total Volume ~ 6,000 m3 60% Type-GUL, 40% Grade 100 Slag
35 MPa (5.0 ksi) 40mm stone
C1 exposure class RCP 987 Coulombs
LH requirement, Low shrink 28-day Strength 44.3 Mpa (6.4 ksi)
3 thick raft slabs Shrinkage < 0.04%
Ontario Projects
Parliament Hill West Block Rehabilitation, Ottawa, ON (2011 2017)

Total Volume ~ 10,000 m3 Mix Designs

20 - 35 MPa (3.0 - 5.0 ksi) 20% to 40% slag replacement
SCC, Shotcrete, Low-shrink, GUL, GUb-SF cements
Waterproofed, High early, set- Tests on AVS, RCP, Shrinkage,
accelerated compressive strength
 Ontario Projects
Metrolinx - GO Transit Bus Maintenance & Storage Facility, Hamilton, ON (2015-2016)

Mix Design 32-C2 mix (paving), SCC (precast)

60% T-GUL and 40% Gr. 100 Slag, 20mm stone
85% T-HE and 15% Gr. 100 Slag, 13mm stone
Total Volume ~ 5,000 m3 28-day Strength 42.5 Mpa (6.1 ksi)
LEED Gold certification Salt Scaling < 0.040%
32 MPa (4.6 ksi) with C2 exposure class 16-h Strength (precast) >4000 psi
 Ontario Projects
Kitchener Public Library, Kitchener, ON (2012 2014)

Total Volume 12,000 m3 Mix Design 35-C1 mix

35 MPa (5.0 ksi) 40% Type-GUL and 60% Gr. 100 Slag
C1 exposure class 20 mm stone
LEED Silver certification RCP < 1000 Coulombs
RCP, Salt Scaling requirements, Corrosion 28-day Strength > 40 Mpa (5.8 ksi)
Inhibitor, low shrinkage Shrinkage < 0.040%
 Questions?
Summary
Environmental benefits
Enhanced concrete performance
due to denser hydration product
matrix
Primary SCM in Ontario
Predictable performance
Must consider early age requirements, curing, weather
conditions, etc.