GITAM hosts Guest Lecture on Use of Slag Based Products in Concrete

Hyderabad: The Department of Civil Engineering at GITAM School of Technology organized a guest lecture on the topic 'Use of Slag Based Products for Strong, Durable, Sustainable & Green Concrete' on Thursday. The lecture aimed to shed light on the usage and advantages of Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS) as a cementation material in concrete.

The guest speaker for the event was Shanmukha Reddy, Assistant General Manager, Sales and Marketing at JSW Pvt. Ltd. Reddy emphasized the importance of GGBS as a resource for the future, given the declining availability of traditional resources such as Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC). In Hyderabad alone, 10 lakh Mt OPC is used per month, which highlights the need for alternative cementation materials to protect our resources for future generations.

Producing OPC not only depletes our resources but also contributes to environmental pollution. In order to protect the environment and meet structural requirements, it is crucial to explore alternative options such as fly ash, micro silica, rice husk, and GGBS. GGBS, a byproduct of the steel industry, can replace 25 to 70 percent of cement in concrete, thereby reducing OPC consumption and minimizing environmental impact.

One of the key advantages of using GGBS is its ability to minimize thermal cracks and reduce project costs. By replacing cement with GGBS, the heat of hydration is significantly reduced, resulting in enhanced durability and long-term strength of concrete structures. Additionally, GGBS can be used in soil stabilization, especially in national highways and subways.

JSW GM also planted a few samplings in GITAM campus, symbolizing the importance of a green and clean environment.

Dr. Akhilesh Chepuri, Head of the Department of Civil Engineering, felicitated Reddy and expressed his hope for a continued partnership between GITAM School of Technology and JSW Cement. The guest lecture was attended by students and faculty from the Civil Engineering and B.Arch. departments.

GITAM School of Technology is committed to promoting sustainable and eco-friendly practices in the field of civil engineering. By advocating for the use of GGBS, the institution aims to contribute to the conservation of resources, protection of the environment, and the development of durable and resilient infrastructure.