Sustainable Open-Graded Friction Course asphalt mixes with steel slag aggregates

Abstract

A permeable mixture called Open-Graded Friction Course (OGFC) is used to lessen the effects of climate change, especially during periods of heavy rain. It is made up of open gradation, mostly coarse aggregates, and fewer fines. The advantages of an OGFC mixture include the removal of surface water from the pavement, noise absorption, increased frictional resistance and more. Steel slag is a waste product left over from the Iron and Steel industry that can be utilized as aggregates in OGFC mixes. The primary goal of this work is to assess the usage of steel slag aggregates in place of conventional aggregates to produce the OGFC mix for getting improved mixture properties. Five percentage substitutions were employed to examine the design and quality of the OGFC mix, namely, 0% (control mix), 25, 50, 75, and 100% of steel slag aggregates in place of conventional aggregates. Tests for air voids, binder draindown, unaged and aged Cantabro abrasion loss, and Indirect Tensile Strength (ITS) test were conducted to evaluate the performance of OGFC mixes containing different percentages of steel slag. The test results show that the performance of the mix was improved by the addition of various percentages of steel slag. The results of the physical properties tests on steel aggregates were better than that of conventional aggregates. The mix with steel slag aggregates exhibits a slight improvement in the drainage property when compared to the conventional aggregate mix, according to the test results of the draindown test. When compared to the conventional mix, the mix with 100% replacement at 5.75% bitumen content produced better raveling resistance, and the mix with 50% steel slag replacement indicated improved resistance to moisture susceptibility with good Tensile Strength Ratio. The test results showed 100% replacement mix performed better in terms of abrasion loss, binder draindown, and air voids content, while a 50% replacement mix performed better in terms of moisture susceptibility along with other parameters. Overall, it can be concluded that using steel slag aggregates in the OGFC mix can be advantageous and increase sustainability with utilization of steel slag as an industrial marginal material in construction of pavements.