Effect of Chemical Admixtures on Mechanical and Degradation Properties of Metallurgical Sludge Waste Concrete

This study extends the development of concretes with metallurgical sludge waste (MSW) by determining the effect of superplasticizers and air entrainment admixture (AEA). The MSW is a very fine powdery material, and in this case, it was used as a partial replacement of fine aggregate in the mixture. The reference ordinary concrete mixtures without MSW were created for evaluation. The results of concrete density, compressive strength, electrical resistivity, and rapid chloride permeability were obtained and some of them were measured continuously to determine the influence of the chemical admixtures on these characteristics over time. It was found that in general, the MSW substitution slightly lowers the mechanical and durability parameters, but MSW in combination with the chemical admixtures improves the compressive strength in comparison to the reference concrete with the addition of AEA.