Title: Strength and Durability of Concrete Made with Electric Steelmaking Slag

Author(s): Juan A. Polanco, Juan M. Manso, Jesus Setien, and Javier J. Gonzalez

Publication: Materials Journal

Volume: 108

Issue: 2

Appears on pages(s): 196-203

Keywords: durability; expansive components; periclase; slag

DOI: 10.14359/51682313

Date: 3/1/2011

Abstract:
The reuse of steelmaking slag is an important feature in improving the environmental sustainability of concrete production. In this work, the properties in the hardened state of concrete manufactured with two types of steelmaking by-products—electric-arc furnace slag (EAFS) and ladle-furnace slag (LFS)—are analyzed. Particular attention is paid to its durability and resistance to external agents by performing a series of tests: freezing-and-thawing cycles, wetting-and-drying cycles, potential expansion in hot water, and climatic chamber aging. The durability test is only positive in the case of concrete prepared with EAFS in the form of coarse and fine aggregates. The inclusion of LFS fines in the concrete mixtures is more controversial and is conditioned by certain potentially long-term expansive components such as free lime or periclase.