Slag use as an aggregate in concrete and cement-based materials

Abstract

Cement-based composite materials use Portland cement and/or other cementitious materials as a binding agent with graded coarse and/or fine aggregate to form a rigid body to support load after setting, or use it as functional or decorating materials. Cement-based materials are rigid, brittle, and structurally sensitive materials, which means the material is regarded as a failure if a localized failure occurs. Concrete is the most widely used cement-based material. Aggregate plays important roles on concrete properties. Slag aggregate posesses unique characteristics that can modify certain properties of concrete. This chapter introduces the basic quality requirements of concrete composing materials, presents mechanical properties of concrete containing steel slag aggregate, modeling and usability criterion for the use of slag in rigid matrixes, and reviews the research and development and experience of the use of slag in concrete.