Investigation in to the Use of Calcium Carbide Waste as a Partial Replacement of Cement in Concrete

This paper presents an experimental investigation in to the effect of calcium carbide waste in compressive strength and workability of concrete when use as partial replacement of cement in concrete. As part of preliminary test sieve analysis was carried out on fine and coarse aggregate to identify the zone and size of aggregate use in this research. Concrete mix design was carried out for concrete grade G20 in accordance to BS 5328: Part2; 1991(as per DOE, 1975). A total number of 36 concrete cubes of grade G20 was casted in which 18 cubes was tested at 14 days of curing and remaining 18 cubes was tested at 28days. The cubes was casted using 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% replacement of cement with calcium carbide waste and slump test was carried out during casting to check the workability of each concrete mix. The results of workability test carried out show that the value are within the assume slump of 10-30mm in mix design and from the compressive strength test carried out on the specimens at 14 and 28days, it was found that 10% percentage replacement of cement with calcium carbide waste gives a satisfactory result therefore it is acceptable. It was also found that as the percentage of calcium carbide waste increased the water absorption of the mix increases.