Study on strength durability and structural properties of concrete with partial replacement of coarse aggregate by eof steel slag

Abstract

Concrete is an indispensable substance extensively used in the construction of buildings, infrastructures, and industrial plants. In civil engineering practices, concrete is one of the great massive volume building materials. Concrete is a stable compound consisting of inert fillers which are bound together by cement. Though aggregates are generally considered as inert materials, their physical, chemical, and mechanical properties significantly influence the properties of fresh as well as hardened concrete. Extraction of large volumes of stone aggregate from the Earth harms the environment by way of deforestation, air pollution, wasteland development (exhausted quarries), etc. A number of studies have been carried out to use industrial by-products as a suitable substitute for aggregate in concrete. Energy Optimised Furnace (EOF) steel slag is a by-product from steel production industries. In JSW Steel Ltd., Salem Works (JSWS), monthly production of EOF steel slag amounts to 12000-13000 tons. EOF steel slag is not used in cement production. In the present research, using EOF steel slag as a replacement for natural aggregate in the production of concrete has been studied as a possible way to reduce the quantum of the waste slag being dumped and to minimise negative impact on natural resources. Before going to use the EOF steel slag as substitute for natural coarse aggregate in concrete mix, it is essential to characterise the EOF steel slag. Accordingly, standard tests as prescribed in ASTM C 641-98, ASTM C 123-03, and found in various parts of IS: 2386-1963 were conducted on EOF steel slag to study the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of EOF steel slag. Particle size, shape, presence of lightweight particles and iron compounds, soundness, alkali-aggregate reactivity, hardness of interfacial transition zone, chemical composition, and microstructure were examined. These properties of EOF steel slag were compared with the properties of natural aggregate. newline