Abstract
Abstract Annually billions of tonnes of aggregates are extracted to apply in civil construction generating environmental impacts and energy consumption. So, based on circular economy principles applying residues as aggregates is a good solution to reduce the mining activity and to generate a more efficient destination for the residues. Thus, this research aims to evaluate the technical, economic, and environmental performance of concretes produced entirely with steel slag aggregates. The concretes were characterized through physical properties, as specific gravity, water absorption, compressive and tensile strength. Durability tests (expansibility) were also conducted. The authors analyzed the cost assessment and environmental impact of steel slag concrete production as well. The incorporation of steel slag increases the compressive and tensile strength of concrete, analyzed in different ages. Additionally, the steel slag does not present expansibility when confined in the concrete matrix. The entire replacement of natural aggregates for steel slag allowed to reduce in 31% the cement consumption, a decrease of 140 kg/m3, for the same strength class. The environmental analysis showed that the incorporation of steel slag aggregates reduced the cement intensity of concrete and its impact. Regarding the cost assessment, the mixtures with steel slag presented a lower cost compared to the conventional one. These results indicate that steel slag aggregates could be used in a cleaner production of concrete, replacing natural aggregates with no injury. This research provides the feasibility of using steel slag aggregates in a cleaner and cheaper concrete production and contribute to the promotion of sustainable solutions for the construction sector through the circular economy principles.
Highlights
Gonçalves et al [1] reported the economic feasibility of a steel slag processing plant to produce fine and coarse aggregates for civil construction
4 CONCLUSION This work evaluates a cleaner production solution for the steel slag residue which contributes to the promotion of new strategies of circular economy
The novel data collected in the microstructural analysis of the steel slag stability through different techniques (FRX, DRX and TG/DTA) indicated the weathered stage of this residue
Summary
Gonçalves et al [1] reported the economic feasibility of a steel slag processing plant to produce fine and coarse aggregates for civil construction. The viability of this processing plant is mostly related to the steel slag low cost of purchasing and the availability of the metallic material in steel slag (around 30 wt.%) that can be sold. The utilization of steel slag as aggregate follows the circular economy practices aiding to reduce the environmental impact of all industry related in the processes, stimulating innovation, and optimizing the resource supplies. Due to the circular economy, the metallic material recovered returns to the productive chain, and the construction sector reduces its demand for raw materials. The mining of river sand, used as fine aggregate, causes contamination of the water, increases turbidity, changes the geometry of the riverbed (including the flow) and damages flora and fauna [3]
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