A scientometric review on the utilization of copper slag as a substitute constituent of ordinary Portland cement concrete

This article presents a scientometric review on the utilization of copper slag (CS) as a substitute constituent in ordinary Portland cement concrete, with a greater focus on analyzing CS as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM). The review was conducted through a comprehensive scientometric analysis of literature using Scopus and VOSviewer, examining publication trends, document types, subject areas, leading contributors, and the overall progression of research on CS concrete. The analysis revealed a substantial increase in publications between 2015 and 2022, with the journal “Construction and Building Materials” and the country “India” identified as the most influential in the field. The methodology involved filtering relevant documents to focus on the most impactful research, which was then critically analyzed to assess the fresh and hardened properties of CS concrete. The findings indicate that incorporating 5-10% of CS as an SCM can significantly enhance the mechanical properties and durability of concrete. CS was also found to improve concrete durability by imparting a micro-filler effect, thereby densifying the structure. Additionally, CS contributes to ecological benefits by incorporating heavy metals into the concrete matrix, preventing their leaching, and aiding in environmental conservation. Despite these promising results, the review acknowledges that the long-term performance of CS concrete remains a critical area that needs further investigation.