Experimental Investigation on Strength Performance of Sustainable Ternary Blended Concrete Incorporating Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag, Rice Husk Ash and Silica Fume

1. The integration of GGBS, RHA, and SF significantly enhanced the compressive strength of ternary blended concrete compared to the control across all curing periods. 2. The optimized mixture — comprising 70% OPC, 10% GGBS, 10% RHA, and 10% SF (TB-2) — achieved compressive strengths of 27.0, 32.5, 40.5, 44.0, and 46.0 MPa at 7, 14, 28, 56, and 90 days, respectively. 3. TB-2 exhibited approximately 17.4% higher strength at 28 days and 12.2% higher strength at 90 days compared to the control, demonstrating that 30% total cement replacement strikes an effective balance between mechanical performance and cement reduction. 4. Replacement levels exceeding 30% led to a gradual decline in strength, primarily due to the dilution effect and diminished availability of OPC for primary hydration. 5. The superior performance of TB-2 is attributed to the synergistic interplay of GGBS, RHA, and SF: GGBS supports long-term hydration, RHA drives secondary pozzolanic reactions, and SF refines particle packing and pore structure. 6. SEM analysis revealed a denser, more homogeneous microstructure characterized by increased C–S–H gel formation, reduced pore volume, fewer microcracks, and stronger aggregate–paste bonding. 7. XRD results confirmed a reduction in calcium hydroxide (CH) and an increase in hydration products, validating enhanced pozzolanic activity and corroborating the SEM and strength findings. 8. Overall, the findings demonstrate that a ternary blend of 10% GGBS + 10% RHA + 10% SF can produce sustainable concrete with improved mechanical and microstructural attributes, while significantly lowering OPC consumption and environmental impact, showing promising potential for sustainable structural applications.

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