Geotechnical Properties of Controlled Low Strength Materials (CLSM) Using Waste Electric Arc Furnace Dust (EAFD)

Abstract

Controlled low-strength material (CLSM) is a self-compacted cementitious material used primarily as a backfill in place of compacted soil. It is also known as a flowable fill which is usually a mixture of fine aggregates, small amount of cement, and water. Usage of by-product materials is common as fine aggregates in flowable fill materials. Electric Arc Furnace Dust (EAFD) is a solid waste generated in the collection of particulate material during steelmaking process in electric arc furnace. In this study EAFD was tested for the possibility of producing CLSM with large proportion of this waste. The main properties measured in this research include EAFD chemical properties and EAFD flowable fill geotechnical properties (unconfined compressive strength, California Bearing Ratio (CBR), flowability, and setting time) for different mix proportion. Results indicate that with a good mix design it is possible to produce a CLSM with acceptable mechanical properties to meet design requirements.