Investigation of Strength Characteristics of Ferrous Slag and Waste Concrete in Water Contacting Environment by Exposure to Raining Events

Abstract

Ferrous slag is a by-product from steel making process and waste concrete is generated from construction activities. Large part of ferrous slag and waste concrete are recycled as construction materials. However, Ca²⁺ leaching out of ferrous slag and waste concrete in the water-contacting environment can cause a strength change. Strength can be reduced due to the dissolution of solid form of CaO which is one of the main contents of ferrous slag and waste concrete. On the other hand, strength can be enhanced due to the pozzolanic reaction of cementitious components with water. In this study, steelmaking slag, blast furnace slag, and waste concrete were aged by exposure to raining events, and the change of their compaction and shear strength characteristics was investigated. Optimum moisture content of all materials used in this study increased with aging period while maximum dry unit weight slightly decreased, implying that the relative contents of fine particles increased as the CaO solid particles were dissolved. Internal friction angle and shear strength of recycled materials also increased with aging period, indicating that the materials became denser by the decrease of void ratio attributed to the fine particles generated during the weathering process and the development of cementitious compounds increasing the bonding and interlocking forces between the particles. The results of this study demonstrated that mechanical strength of recycled materials used as construction materials has little chance to be deteriorated during their service life.