Comparing Properties of Concrete Containing Electric Arc Furnace Slag and Granulated Blast Furnace Slag

Abstract

For sustainable development in the construction industry, blast furnace slag has been used as a substitute for cement in concrete. In contrast, steel-making slag, the second largest by-product in the steel industry, is mostly used as a filler material in embankment construction. This is because steel-making slag has relatively low hydraulicity and a problem with volumetric expansion. However, as the quenching process of slag has improved recently and the steel making process is specifically separated, the properties of steel-making slag has also improved. In this context, there is a need to find a method for recycling steel-making slag as a more highly valued material, such as its potential use as an admixture in concrete. Therefore, in order to confirm the possibility of using electric arc furnace (EAF) oxidizing slag as a binder, a comparative assessment of the mechanical properties of concrete containing electric arc furnace oxidizing slag, steel-making slag, and granulated blast furnace (GBF) slag was performed. The initial and final setting, shrinkage, compressive and split-cylinder tensile strength of the slag concretes were measured. It was found that replacing cement with EAF oxidizing slag delayed the hydration reaction at early ages, with no significant problems in setting time, shrinkage or strength development found.

Reuse and Recycling of By-Products in the Steel Sector: Recent Achievements Paving the Way to Circular Economy and Industrial Symbiosis in Europe

“…In addition, the use of steel slag aggregates with wastewater in concrete has been shown to be possible without any significant deterioration of fresh and hardened concrete properties [59]. On this subject, a comparative study, evaluating the mechanical properties of concrete containing EAF oxidising slag, steel slag and GBFS, has been performed [60]. Replacing cement with EAF oxidising slag has produced the delayed of the hydration reaction at early ages, without significant issues in setting time, shrinkage or strength development.…”

Determination of the Chemical, Physical and Mechanical Characteristics of Electric Arc Furnace Slags and Environmental Evaluation of the Process for Their Utilization as an Aggregate in Bituminous Mixtures

“…Electric arc furnace slags have been used as building materials in different investigations, and even in real cases [18,19]. The electric arc furnace slags have been used as an aggregate for hot mix asphalt [20,21], warm mix asphalt [22] and even for mixes with bituminous emulsion [23]; this shows its excellent mechanical characteristics and its use in developing high quality bituminous mixtures [24].…”

Use of Steel Industry By-products in Sustainable Civil Engineering Applications

“…Therefore, every step should be taken in order to recycle or possibly reuse them in the production of other products. Steel slag is a by-product generated during the electric arc furnace (EAF) process in steel production, in which approximately 100-150 kg of slag is produced per tonne of steel [1]. EAF uses zinc-coated steel scrap as the raw material.…”