Laboratory evaluation of warm mix asphalt mixtures containing electric arc furnace (EAF) steel slag

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a laboratory study which was aimed to verify possibility of using electric arc furnace (EAF) steel slag (SS) in substitution of natural limestone (LS) aggregates in warm mix asphalt (WMA) mixture. The SS was used as fine and coarse portion of aggregate gradation in HMA mixtures, and as coarse portion of aggregate gradation in WMA mixture. The surface texture of both LS and SS aggregates was observed through scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results illustrated that the porosity and the roughness of the SS aggregate are higher than that of the LS aggregate. Moreover, laboratory tests results indicated that use of coarse SS aggregate in WMA mixture enhances Marshall stability, resilient modulus, tensile strength, resistance to moisture damage and resistance to permanent deformation of the mixture. Hence use of coarse electric arc furnace steel slag aggregate in production of WMA mixture is recommended.