Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2025
11:14
Two-way Valorization of Blast Furnace Slag: Synthesis of Precipitated Calcium Carbonate and Zeolitic Heavy Metal Adsorbent
Published on: February 21, 2017
12.5K
Evaluating Cement Treated Aggregate Base Containing Steel Slag: Mechanical Properties, Volume Stability and
You Huang1,2, Xin Yang2, Shuai Wang2
1Engineering Research Center of Catastrophic Prophylaxis and Treatment of Road & Traffic Safety of Ministry of Education, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Changsha 410114, China.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|December 11, 2022
Summary
Steel slag shows promise as a sustainable material in road construction, particularly for semi-rigid base courses. Optimal performance was observed with 50% steel slag and 4% cement, offering enhanced strength and stiffness.
Area of Science:
- Civil Engineering
- Materials Science
- Environmental Engineering
Background:
- Steel slag is a byproduct of steel manufacturing.
- Its use in road engineering, especially in base courses, is not widely documented.
- Investigating its properties is crucial for sustainable construction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility of using steel slag in semi-rigid base courses.
- To assess mechanical properties, volume stability, economic, and environmental impacts.
- To determine optimal mix designs for steel slag-cement-aggregate mixtures.
Main Methods:
- Blended varying volumes of steel slag (0-75%) with cement-treated aggregates (3-6% cement).
- Tested mechanical properties (abrasion, crushing, particle shape) against limestone.
- Analyzed volume stability, economic viability, and environmental factors (heavy metal leaching, CO2 emissions).
Main Results:
- Steel slag can replace natural aggregates in concrete and enhances strength/stiffness.
- Optimal mix: 50% steel slag and 4% cement yielded highest strength and stiffness.
- Volume expansion controlled by CH3COOH treatment or silica fume addition.
- Larger slag size (>4.75 mm) and higher cement content recommended to mitigate heavy metal leaching.
Conclusions:
- Steel slag is a promising alternative material for cement-stabilized road base courses.
- It offers economic benefits due to low cost and environmental advantages when transport emissions are considered.
- Proper production process control is essential for safe and effective utilization.
Keywords:
base coursecement-stabilized aggregateenvironmental impactmechanical propertiessteel slagvolume expansionMore Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:25Deleterious Substances in Aggregate
229
Deleterious substances in aggregates can be detrimental to the quality and durability of concrete. These substances include organic impurities like loam, which interfere with cement hydration and are usually present in the sand. These prevent a good bond between aggregate and cement paste. Organic impurities can be detected using the colorimetric test, where the darkness of a solution after agitation indicates the level of organic content.
Another type of impurity is clay and fine material that...
Another type of impurity is clay and fine material that...
229
01:26Unsoundness of Aggregate due to Volume Change
156
Unsoundness in aggregates due to volume changes is primarily caused by the physical alterations aggregates undergo, such as freezing and thawing, thermal changes, and wetting and drying. Unsound aggregates, when subjected to these changes, result in volume change upon disintegration. This, in turn, contributes to the deterioration of concrete, including scaling, pop-outs, and cracking. Particular types of aggregates, such as porous flints, cherts, and those containing clay minerals, are...
156
01:20Strength of Cement
194
Strength tests for cement are not performed directly on neat cement paste due to difficulty in obtaining consistent, reliable specimens. Instead, cement is typically tested in the form of cement-sand mortar.
For compressive strength tests, ASTM C 109-05 standards prescribe a cement-sand mix ratio of 1:2.75 and a water/cement ratio of 0.485 for making 2-inch cubes. These cubes are mixed, cast, and cured in saturated lime water at 23°C until testing. Flexural strength testing, outlined in...
For compressive strength tests, ASTM C 109-05 standards prescribe a cement-sand mix ratio of 1:2.75 and a water/cement ratio of 0.485 for making 2-inch cubes. These cubes are mixed, cast, and cured in saturated lime water at 23°C until testing. Flexural strength testing, outlined in...
194
01:21Aggregate Cement Ratio
299
The Aggregate Cement ratio refers to the weight of aggregate divided by the weight of cement in a concrete mix. Altering this ratio has profound effects on the concrete's properties. This ratio plays a pivotal role in determining the strength, workability, and durability of concrete. When the Aggregate Cement ratio is higher, the mix is leaner, meaning it has less cement paste to lubricate the aggregate, potentially making the concrete less workable. Such mixes, known as lean, enhance the...
299
01:17Soundness of Cement
220
The soundness of cement refers to the ability of cement paste to retain its volume after setting. Unsound cement can lead to expansion and structural damage due to the presence of free lime, magnesia, and calcium sulfate. Free lime hydrates very slowly, expanding and causing unsoundness, which is difficult to detect because it intercrystallizes with other compounds. Magnesia also reacts with water, forming crystals that can disrupt the cement's structure. Calcium sulfate can create...
220
01:22Types of Cement II
157
Portland blast-furnace cement is made by blending Portland cement clinker with granulated blast-furnace slag, which accounts for 25 to 65 percent of the cement's weight. Despite its similarities to ordinary Portland (Type I) cement in terms of fineness and setting times, its early strength is lower, though it achieves comparable strength later on. It's particularly suited for mass concrete structures and marine environments due to its lower heat of hydration and superior sulfate...
157