Performance evaluation of steel slag high performance concrete for sustainable pavements

ABSTRACT

This paper represents the results of a comprehensive experimental work on developing high performance concrete mixes containing different percentages of electric arc furnace steel slag (EAFSS) coarse aggregate (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% by weight) for sustainable pavements. The use of steel slag powder (SSP) and silica fume (SF) as a mineral filler was also investigated. Mechanical properties of concrete such as compressive, splitting tensile and flexural strengths, modulus of elasticity, permeability, and thermal conductivity, were measured in the laboratory. The morphological and microstructural properties of the investigated steel slag were also determined. Finally, the field performance of the investigated concrete mixes was predicted using the AASHTOWare Pavement ME for a typical Jointed Plain Concrete Pavement (JPCP) system in terms of transverse cracking, faulting, and roughness. The results of this research indicate that, all investigated mechanical properties for steel slag mixes are better than the natural aggregate mix with optimum mechanical properties and performance for the concrete mix with 50% EAFSS. Using the SSP powder with or instead of SF did not show significant improvement in mechanical properties/performance. The results emphasise that EAFSS is a viable sustainable construction material for rigid pavements.

KEYWORDS:

• High performance concrete
• sustainable construction material
• rigid pavements
• steel slag
• modulus of elasticity
• AASHTOWare Pavement ME

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).