A Concrete Mixture Design Utilizing Copper Slag as Partial Replacement for Fine Aggregates and Copper Oxide as an Additive Mixture for Concrete Pavement

Molds are a severe problem in concrete since they can penetrate the tiny cracks of concrete, causing the material to degrade with time. This erosion affects the structural integrity of the concrete, thereby affecting its strength and durability. In response, this study incorporates copper slag as a partial replacement for fine aggregates and copper oxide as an additive in the concrete mixture. This study offer a new approach to concrete mixture formulation to prevent mold growth in concrete while improving its compressive strength. The researchers integrated four mixture designs that offered different proportions of copper slag and 0.25wt% of copper oxide. The researchers then conducted a series of laboratory experiments to evaluate the workability, compressive strength, water absorption, and antimicrobial activity of the designed concrete mixture. From the test results obtained, it is concluded that the concrete mixture with 40% copper slag and 0.25wt% of copper oxide is the optimal proportion to be used in concrete mixture as it yielded viable results in terms of compressive strength by achieving a compressive strength of 39.6 MPa, and a water absorption rate or 1.98%. In addition, it is shown that the concrete infused with copper slag and copper oxide improved the cement matrix's antifungal properties, showing a minimal to no presence of molds on the concrete surfaces. In conclusion, the results highlight that integrating copper slag and copper oxide into a concrete mixture is a feasible method of improving compressive strenth while inhibiting mold formation on concrete surfaces. This study is promising as it provides sustainable and environmentally friendly strategies while increasing strength and providing safety to the community.