Composition Design and Solidification Mechanism Analysis of Controlled Low-Strength Materials Using Stabilized...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Civil Engineering
• Sustainable Construction

Background:

• Stainless steel slag mud (SSSM) presents challenges due to high moisture and fine particles, limiting its reuse.
• Controlled low-strength material (CLSM) offers a potential application for industrial byproducts like SSSM.
• Ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS) is a supplementary cementitious material with pozzolanic properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the feasibility of utilizing SSSM as a primary component in CLSM.
• To evaluate the impact of GGBS, as a replacement for cement and SSSM, on CLSM properties.
• To elucidate the synergistic solidification mechanism between SSSM and GGBS in CLSM.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of CLSM with varying proportions of SSSM and GGBS.
• Assessment of CLSM properties including water-to-solid ratio, bleeding, and compressive strength.
• Microstructural and chemical analysis using X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric-differential thermogravimetric analysis (TG-DTG), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Main Results:

• Replacing cement with GGBS increased water demand and bleeding but maintained adequate strength.
• Replacing SSSM with GGBS significantly enhanced compressive strength, with 18% GGBS yielding substantial gains.
• Microstructural analysis confirmed synergistic solidification, with GGBS hydration producing ettringite and C-S-H gel, enhanced by SSSM's alkaline environment.

Conclusions:

• SSSM can be effectively utilized as a primary component in CLSM.
• Incorporating GGBS as a partial replacement for SSSM is a promising strategy to improve CLSM strength.
• The synergistic interaction between SSSM and GGBS drives enhanced strength development in CLSM, promoting sustainable material utilization.