Strength and durability properties of waste steel slag mixed concrete

Abstract

The exploration of natural aggregates for construction leads to the degradation of the environment; thus, the development of environment-friendly construction materials, such as steel slag, is being promoted. Disposal of steel slag without affecting ecology is the central issue of concern, as steel industries produce a million tonnes of steel slags as a by-product every year. To address this issue, we studied the potential of a waste steel slag to use as a replacement of coarse aggregate in the cement concrete. We observed that the mixing of waste steel slag with concrete improves the mechanical and durability properties of the concrete. The abrasion properties of steel slag concrete are comparable with a coarse aggregate concrete. The study concludes that the use of steel slag in concrete improves the physical properties of the cement concrete, and thus, steel slag concrete can be used for building floorings, pavements, or concrete surfaces, which expose to the external forces and severe weather conditions.