Strength-Gain Characteristics and Swelling Response of Steel Slag and Steel Slag–Fly Ash Mixtures
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 35, Issue 8
Abstract
The shear strength and stiffness characteristics of steel slag indicate that it can potentially be utilized as a competent base/subbase material of bound and unbound pavement layers. However, concerns with respect to the utilization of steel slag remain due to its long-term swelling, corrosivity, and leaching characteristics. In this study, long-term swelling and corrosivity tests were performed on basic-oxygen-furnace steel slag (BOFSS) and electric-arc-furnace ladle steel slag [EAF(L)SS] generated in Indiana, USA. In order to reduce the 1D swelling strains of these slags, 5%, 10%, and 20% Class C fly ash (CCFA) and 10% ground rubber replacement ratios were used to prepare steel slag mixtures for testing. The improvement due to CCFA replacement was evaluated by performing unconfined compression and long-term swelling tests on selected steel slag–CCFA mixtures. The seven-day unconfined compression strengths of 90% EAF(L)SS + 10% CCFA and 90% BOFSS + 10% CCFA mixtures were 2,387 and 3,768 kPa, respectively. After nine months of monitoring, the maximum 1D swelling strains of soaked samples of BOFSS and EAF(L)SS mixtures prepared with 10% CCFA replacement were 0.1% or less. The unconfined compression and swelling test results for the steel slag–CCFA mixtures indicated superior strength gain characteristics and negligible swelling strains with time than for steel slags.
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Data Availability Statement
All data, models, and code generated or used during the study appear in the published article.
Acknowledgments
The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support (FHWA/IN/JTRP-2009/SPR-3129), provided by the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT), MultiServ, and Edward C. Levy Co (Levy). The contents of this publication reflect the views of the authors, who are responsible for the accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the INDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), nor do the contents constitute a standard, specification, or regulation.
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Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 35 • Issue 8 • August 2023
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© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: May 1, 2022
Accepted: Dec 7, 2022
Published online: May 22, 2023
Published in print: Aug 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Oct 22, 2023
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