Engineering and Leachate Characteristics of Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag as a Construction Material

Abstract

Granulated blast-furnace slag (GBFS) is one of the by-products generated during the process of the extraction of iron from iron ore. In order to use this by-product in a more sustainable manner, in-depth knowledge of engineering and environmental properties of GBFS is required. Consequently, an extensive suite of environmental and geotechnical tests was undertaken to thoroughly assess the feasibility of using this iron and steelmaking by-product as a road construction material. From an environmental perspective, there are no environmental risks regarding the use of GBFS, nor is there any leaching issue with it being used as an aggregate in construction applications. GBFS, with its high friction angle, free-draining nature, acceptable resilient modulus, and suitable CBR value, was found to be an ideal material for usage in nonstructural fill applications. The usage of GBFS as a nonstructural fill material would bring about a more practical end-of-life alternative for this by-product and will, furthermore, allow this material to be reused in a more sustainable way without further processing.