Evaluation of Steel Slag as a Road Construction Material

Abstract

The utilization of waste material as aggregates in the pavement industry can allow the dispersal of waste material as well as help to prevent environmental pollution. It provides a great economical solution to overcome the scarcity of natural aggregate in Bangladesh. The purpose of the present study is to explore the opportunity to find the feasibility of steel slag as an alternative aggregate by analyzing and comparing the properties of steel slag with other pavement construction materials. In this study, it was observed that the physical and mechanical properties of steel slag were satisfactory. The CBR value of coarse slag has escalated by 26% and 79% from crushed stone and brick chips, respectively. Moreover, the steel slag mix performed well in the case of compressive and tensile strength. So, the successful substitution of crushed stone and brick chips with steel slag as coarse and fine aggregate provided a more reliable and cost-effective strategy for aggregate resources while lessening the menace of solid wastes, resulting in a more sustainable environment. This will shift the gear in sustainable pavement construction as well as economical and engineering aspects, which are essential in today’s energy-strapped world.