Study of effect of electric arc furnace slag on expansion of mortars subjected to alkali-aggregate reaction

Abstract

Alkali-aggregate reaction is a chemical reaction between cement alkalis and some reactive mineral present in some aggregates, leading to concrete expansion and cracking. One kind usually observed and studied in Brazil is the alkali-silica reaction, due to its fast development. There are several methods that are effective to control and mitigate this reaction, and one of them is the partial replacement of cement by mineral additions such as pozzolans like fly-ash, silica fume and slag. In this study, we propose the use of electrical steel slag as a partial replacement of cement, evaluating its effectiveness by NBR 15577:2008, employing different proportions as replacement. It seems that the electrical steel slag, despite its expansive behavior, has been effective in the control of the ASR.