Experimental Investigation of Alccofine Based M40 Grade Concrete with Granite Dust
CHALLA PRABHAKAR1, G. PRASANNA KUMAR2.
1 M.Tech (Structural Engineering), Department of Civil Engineering, Aditya Institute of Technology and Management, Tekkali, Andhra Pradesh, India.
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Aditya Institute of Technology and Management, Tekkali, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Abstract - Concrete remains the most widely used construction material in civil engineering; however, the depletion of natural resources and the environmental burden associated with cement production have created a growing need for sustainable alternatives. Rapid urbanization and infrastructure expansion have intensified the scarcity of key raw materials such as cement, natural sand, and quality aggregates. In response to these challenges, this study investigates the feasibility of incorporating granite dust and Alccofine as partial replacements for cement in high-performance M40 grade concrete. Granite dust, a readily available industrial byproduct of granite processing, is utilized to reduce waste generation and environmental pollution. Alccofine, a highly reactive ultrafine material derived from Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS), contributes significant pozzolanic activity, enhancing both strength development and microstructural performance.
The experimental program explores granite dust replacement levels of 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50%, combined with Alccofine proportions of 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%. Conplast SP550 is incorporated as a superplasticizer to ensure adequate workability. Mechanical properties—including compressive, split tensile, and flexural strength—are evaluated at multiple curing periods and compared with conventional M40 concrete. Additionally, non-destructive tests such as the rebound hammer and ultrasonic pulse velocity provide supplementary validation of the mechanical behavior and quality of the developed mixes. The findings identify the optimum blend of granite dust and Alccofine that achieves superior strength characteristics while promoting sustainability in construction. This study demonstrates that both materials can effectively enhance concrete performance and serve as environmentally responsible alternatives in high-performance concrete applications.
Key Words: Granite dust; Alccofine; High-performance concrete; Mechanical properties; Sustainable construction.
