Assessing the Compressive and Flexural Performance of Eco Friendly Concrete Incorporating Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag and Jute Fibers

Authors

Joshua Ozioko1

Affiliation: Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.

Benjamin Anyaehie2

Affiliation: Department of Civil Engineering, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria.

John Eso3

Affiliation: Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University.

Boluwade Segun4

Affiliation: Department of Project Management Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure.

Abstract

To minimize the environmental impact of traditional cement production, alternative binding materials such as Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS) and fly ash offer viable sustainable solutions. This research investigates the structural characteristics of these cement substitutes when combined with natural jute fibers to counteract the inherent brittleness of standard mixtures. Through rigorous compression and bending evaluations, findings reveal that substituting thirty percent of cement with GGBS alongside jute fibers yields optimal results. This specific combination achieved a peak compressive resistance of 46.32 N/mm², outperforming both conventional mixtures and those containing fly ash. Furthermore, the slag-enhanced composite demonstrated superior flexibility, recording a maximum deflection of 20.46 mm under load. Conversely, increasing the fly ash content resulted in a notable reduction in overall strength. These outcomes highlight the efficacy of utilizing industrial byproducts and natural reinforcements to develop durable, high-strength construction materials.

Keywords

Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag natural fibers brittle cement matrix toughness Jute Fiber Reinforced Cement Concrete mix

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How to Cite

APA Style:

Ozioko, J., Anyaehie, B., Eso, J., & Segun, B. (2026). Assessing the compressive and flexural performance of eco friendly concrete incorporating ground granulated blast furnace slag and jute fibers. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Related Sciences, 2(2), 31-43.

IEEE Style:

J. Ozioko, B. Anyaehie, J. Eso, and B. Segun, "Assessing the compressive and flexural performance of eco friendly concrete incorporating ground granulated blast furnace slag and jute fibers," International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Related Sciences, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 31-43, 2026.

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