Search Results (114)

The heat generated by electrical cables during operation dissipates through the duct and surrounding encasement concrete into the adjacent soil. Consequently, the thermal conductivity of the encasement concrete is critical for the overall heat dissipation efficiency and thermal stability of the cable system. To address this, a high-thermal-conductivity concrete was developed by incorporating steel slag powder, graphite powder, and graphite particles. This study systematically investigated the effects of mineral admixture content, graphite powder dosage, and the replacement ratio of conductive aggregates on the thermal conductivity, mechanical properties, and workability of the concrete. Additionally, the economic performance was evaluated against conventional C25 concrete using value engineering methodology. The results demonstrate that the proposed concrete exhibited significantly improved thermal performance compared to ordinary concrete. Notably, with a 10% replacement of aggregates by graphite particles, the 28-day thermal conductivity increased by 106.16% relative to the control mix. Simultaneously, the compressive strength reached 25.1 MPa, ensuring sufficient mechanical integrity. Furthermore, the value coefficient of the developed concrete was 18.31% higher than that of conventional C25 concrete. These findings highlight the material’s potential in power engineering and energy-efficient construction, providing a valuable reference for material design in these fields. Full article

The disposal of industrial waste poses a significant environmental challenge, often leading to pollution and degradation of surrounding and terrestrial ecosystems. This study investigates the sustainable valorization of such wastes through the development of one-part geopolymer mortars. Solid sodium silicate was employed as a dry alkali activator for binary blends comprising ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS), clay brick powder (CBP), steel slag (SS), and fly ash (FA), with all mixtures cured under ambient conditions. The mortars were evaluated in terms of fresh properties (flow and setting time) and hardened characteristics, including compressive strength, density, water absorption, and porosity. Durability performance was assessed through mass loss, visual degradation, and compressive strength retention following exposure to acidic (H₂SO₄, HCl) and sulfate environments. Microstructural characterization using XRD, SEM, and FTIR provided insight into the mechanisms of gel formation and degradation in aggressive media. The results revealed that incorporating 5% FA into GGBS-based mortars enhanced 28-day compressive strength by 21.7% compared with the control mix. The inclusion of industrial by-products promoted the formation of C–S–H and C–(A)–S–H gels, contributing to a denser and more refined microstructure. Overall, the findings demonstrate that one-part geopolymer mortars offer a promising, eco-efficient, and durable alternative to traditional cementitious systems, while also addressing safety and handling concerns associated with liquid alkaline activators used in conventional two-part geopolymer formulations. Full article

This paper focuses on the resource utilization of phosphogypsum, a major industrial by-product from phosphate fertilizer production, in highway engineering materials, exploring its performance optimization and collaborative modification mechanisms. Phosphogypsum, primarily composed of CaSO₄·2H₂O, faces challenges such as acidity (pH ≈ 3.56), poor water resistance, and strength limitations, which hinder its engineering application. This study investigates pretreatment methods (e.g., lime neutralization, physical grinding) and the synergistic effects of additives like metakaolin, steel slag, slag powder, and stone powder. The results show that adjusting phosphogypsum’s pH to 10 via lime neutralization significantly improves its mechanical properties, with its 28-day compressive strength increasing by 21%. The optimal dosage of cement as an alkaline activator is 4%, while steel slag performs best at 10%. Metakaolin (11% dosage) enhances the 28-day strength of 30% phosphogypsum-containing systems by 89–114% through pozzolanic reactions, forming a high-strength aluminosilicate network, enabling the preparation of C35 concrete with a 28-day strength of 44.5 MPa. Additionally, stone powder exhibits the most effective strength improvement, with the 56-day strength increasing by 12.5 MPa compared with the reference group. Economically, utilizing 30% phosphogypsum and 11% metakaolin reduces C35 concrete costs by 15–20%. This research provides theoretical and technical support for the large-scale application of phosphogypsum in highway engineering, addressing environmental and economic challenges. Full article

In order to address the poor volume stability and low reactivity of steel slag powder (SS) as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM), this study investigates a microbial-assisted carbonation method for its enhancement. Using untreated SS as a control, we compared the performance and microstructure of carbonated steel slag powder (CSS) and bio-mineralized steel slag powder (BSS). Results indicate that, compared to CSS, BSS exhibits a more significant reduction in the content of f-CaO and f-MgO (from 6.25% and 3.19% to 0.8% and 1.36%, respectively) and a greater improvement in 7-day and 28-day activity indices (from 59% and 72% to 78% and 87%), leading to markedly enhanced volume stability and reactivity. Calculations show that each ton of BSS can sequester 114.2 kg of CO₂, and it achieves a cement replacement ratio exceeding 30%. The utilization of BSS as an SCM not only addresses the inherent technical challenges of steel slag powder but also creates dual environmental benefits through emission reduction and active carbon sequestration, demonstrating significant potential for advancing the low-carbon transition in the construction materials industry. Full article

With the rapid increase in municipal solid waste and the associated production of incineration fly ash (IFA) in Taiwan, sustainable utilization of industrial by-products has become a pressing concern. This study evaluates the mechanical, environmental, and structural performance of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) incorporating water-quenched slag (WQS) and IFA as partial replacements for cement or quartz powder. Laboratory-scale specimens were tested for compressive and flexural strength, followed by full-scale load-bearing tests on trench covers (60 × 35 × 4 cm) and manhole covers (120 × 60 × 5 cm) with varying steel fiber contents and welded steel mesh reinforcement. Mechanical behavior, heavy-metal leaching (TCLP), carbon emissions, and life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) were examined. The results show that WQS maintained or enhanced strength, while IFA caused strength loss and surface corrosion due to gas release during hydration. Trench covers with 15% WQS achieved the highest peak load (14,733 kg), exceeding heavy-traffic requirements, whereas IFA-based covers met the 10-ton standard but showed corrosion. Manhole covers did not reach the 75-ton design load, indicating applicability only for light or non-traffic areas. All UHPC mixes immobilized heavy metals within regulatory limits, and partial cement replacement reduced the carbon footprint by 60–120 kg CO₂e/m³. LCIA further indicated that 20% IFA replacement provided the greatest overall environmental benefit. In conclusion, WQS-incorporated UHPC offers reliable structural and environmental performance, while IFA requires pretreatment or modification to ensure long-term durability. Full article

Reinforced concrete is the most widely utilized building material for bridges, buildings, and other infrastructure components, and its longevity is significantly influenced by corrosion or rust. Corrosion shortens reinforced concrete’s service life and safety, which raises maintenance expenses. Concrete is a porous material that allows air and water to pass through, and corrosion begins when the air and water reach the steel. This study evaluated the mechanical and corrosion resistance properties of reinforced concrete containing recycled and supplemented cementitious materials. The results showed that mixtures containing fine glass aggregate, glass powder, slag, fly ash, or silica fume significantly improved the compressive, tensile, and flexural strengths, but the 10% slag mix, and 5% glass aggregate with 10% glass powder with 10% fly ash mix produced the best results overall. In addition, the mixture containing 15% fly ash produced the best result against corrosion. The corrosion tests revealed that mixtures with 10% slag and 20% glass powder also significantly enhanced the corrosion resistance of steel with the same results, confirming their effectiveness in reducing the permeability and increasing the durability of reinforced concrete. Full article

Ordinary steel slag serves as a supplementary cementitious material (SCMs) to enhance the resource efficiency of industrial waste and contribute to decarbonization and economic benefits. However, there are significant differences in the composition and properties between hot–stuffy steel slag and ordinary steel slag, and there has been little research focusing on hot–stuffy steel slag as an SCM. Herein, we investigated the application of hot–stuffy steel slag, coal bottom ash, slag powder, desulfurization gypsum, and cement as raw materials for developing new green, low-carbon, and economical cementitious materials. When the hot–stuffy steel slag content was 20%, the compressive and flexural strengths of the cementitious material at 28 days reached as high as 64.5 MPa and 11.3 MPa, respectively. Even when the hot–stuffy steel slag content is increased to 50%, the compressive and flexural strengths at 28 days remain 58.2 MPa and 6.1 MPa, respectively. Furthermore, an X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) show that the hydration products generated by the new low-carbon cementitious materials (LCM) are mainly C-(A)-S-H gels. Mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) indicates that when the hot–stuffy steel slag content is 20%, the total porosity (18.85%) of the LCM is the lowest, suggesting that the lower the porosity, the better the strength. Notably, the heavy metal ions released by hot–stuffy steel slag-based cementitious materials were far below hygienic standards for drinking water, confirming their ability to fix heavy metal ions. This work provides an excellent model and application prospect for the utilization of hot–stuffy steel slag in non-structural engineering projects such as river engineering, marine engineering, and road engineering, enabling the achievement of both low-carbon and economic objectives. Full article

The construction industry is a major source of environmental degradation as it is responsible for a significant share of global CO₂ emissions, especially from cement and aggregate consumption. This study fills the need for sustainable construction materials by developing and evaluating a low-carbon fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) made of steel slag powder (SSP), processed recycled concrete aggregates (PRCAs), and waste steel rivet fibers (WSRFs) derived from industrial waste. The research seeks to reduce dependency on virgin materials while maintaining high values of mechanical performance and durability in structural applications. Sixteen concrete mixes were used in the experimental investigations with control, SSP, SSP+RCA, and RCA, reinforced with various fiber dosages (0%, 0.2%, 0.8%, 1.4%) by concrete volume. Workability, density, compressive strength, tensile strength, and water absorption were measured according to the appropriate standards. Compressive and tensile strength increased in all mixes and the 1.4% WSRF mix had the best performance. However, it was found that a fiber content of 0.8% was optimal, which balanced the improvement in strength, durability, and workability by sustainable reuse of recycled materials and demolition waste. It was found by failure mode analysis that the transition was from brittle to ductile behavior as the fiber content increased. The relationship between compressive, tensile strength, and fiber content was visualized as a 3D response surface in order to support these mechanical trends. It is concluded in this study that 15% SSP, 40% PRCA, and 0.8% WSRF are feasible, specific solutions to improve concrete performance and advance the circular economy. Full article

Non-uniform friction and lubrication are the key factors affecting the surface quality of the casting billet. Based on the three-layer structure of the casting powder in the mold, the frictional stress in the mold was calculated and analyzed by using the relationship between the frictional stress and the thickness and viscosity of the liquid slag film, and the lubrication state between the cast billet and the mold was evaluated. Based on the actual production data of 40Mn2 steel and combined with the numerical simulation results of the solidification and shrinkage process of the molten steel in the mold by ANSYS 2022 R1 software, the frictional stress on the cast billet in the mold was calculated. It was found that within the range of 44~300 mm from the meniscus, the friction between the cast billet and the mold was mainly liquid friction, and the friction stress value increased from 0 to 145 KPa. Within 300–720 mm from the meniscus, the billet shell is in direct contact with the mold. The friction between the cast billet and the mold is mainly solid-state friction, and the friction stress value increases from 10.6 KPa to 26.6 KPa. It indicates that the excessive frictional stress inside the mold causes poor lubrication of the cast billet. By reducing the taper of the mold and optimizing the physical and chemical properties of the protective powder, within the range of 44~550 mm from the meniscus, the friction between the cast billet and the mold is mainly liquid friction, and the friction stress value varies within the range of 0–200 Pa. It reduces the frictional stress inside the mold, improves the lubrication between the billet shell and the mold, and completely solves the problem of mesh cracks on the surface of 40Mn2 steel cast billets. Full article

Lateritic clay is widely distributed in southern China, and its strength is greatly affected by water content. The elevated moisture content in lateritic clay during monsoon periods frequently results in insufficient shear strength for standard engineering applications. Large quantities of solid waste, including steel slag, fly ash, and granulated blast furnace slag, are produced as industrial by-products. This paper is based on the backfilling resource utilization of steel slag, fly ash, and ground-granulated blast-furnace slag as lateritic clay improvement admixtures, along with the stress–strain behavior, strength characteristics, and microstructure of steel-slag-modified lateritic clay, fly-ash-modified lateritic clay, and ground-granulated blast-furnace slag-modified lateritic clay, by combining uniaxial compression tests, straight shear tests, and scanning electron microscopy observation. The experimental results were analyzed to determine the appropriate dosages of three kinds of solid waste and their mechanisms in lateritic clay modification. The results indicate that the unconfined compressive strength of SS-modified lateritic clay exhibited an increase with an increase in SS dosage in the range of 1–7%, the unconfined compressive strength of FA-modified lateritic clay showed an increase with an increase in FA dosage in the range of 1–5%, and the unconfined compressive strength of GGBFS-modified lateritic clay increased with an increase in the use of GGBFS in the range of 1–5%. Under the condition of a 7-day curing age, the unconfined compressive strength of lateritic clay modified with 7% SS increased by approximately 397%, while that modified with 5% FA and 5% GGBFS exhibited increases of about 187% and 185%, respectively. The stress–strain relationship of fly-ash and blast-furnace slag-modified lateritic clays showed elastic–plastic deformation. But the stress–strain behavior of steel-slag-modified lateritic clay at a steel slag dose greater than 5% and a maintenance age greater than 7 days showed elastic deformation. Analyzing the SEM images shows that the more hydration products are generated, the relatively higher the unconfined compressive strength of modified lateritic clay is, and the form of deformation of modified lateritic clay is closer to elastic deformation. Through comparative analysis of modified lateritic clay samples, this study elucidates the property-altering mechanisms of waste powder additives, guiding their engineering utilization. Full article

This study evaluates the effects of steel slag powder (SSP), fly ash (FA), and steel slag sand (SSS) on mortar compressive strength. A response surface methodology (RSM) based on central composite design (CCD) was employed to model 7-day, 28-day, and 91-day strength development, considering three quantitative variables: SSP, FA, and SSS. Statistical results confirmed the reduced cubic models were significant and predictive (R² > 0.97), with non-significant lack of fit and adequate precision. Experimental results revealed that SSP and FA negatively affected early-age strength due to dilution effects and low initial reactivity, whereas SSS slightly improved it by enhancing particle packing. At later ages, SSP exhibited nonlinear effects, where moderate dosages enhanced strength, while excessive replacement led to strength reduction. SSS showed a continuously positive contribution across all ages, particularly at 91 days. Perturbation plots, contour maps, and gradient analyses indicated that SSS played a dominant role at later stages and that maintaining a proper balance among supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) and aggregate replacements is crucial. The developed models and response surfaces provide practical guidance for designing slag-based mortars with improved mechanical properties and enhanced sustainability. Full article

To address the environmental pressures and resource waste caused by massive stockpiling of steel slag, this study developed a carbonated steel slag pervious concrete binder using 40% steel slag powder as the primary cementitious component combined with CaO and MgO. The mechanical performance evolution was investigated, while XRD, SEM, and TG-DTG microcharacterization techniques were employed to reveal the carbonation mechanism and strength formation principles. The results demonstrate that when CaO and MgO contents reached 5% and 15%, respectively, the 28d compressive strength of mortar increased by 134.49% compared to the reference group. Microstructural analysis confirmed that CaO reacted to form CaCO₃ crystals, while MgO enhanced strength by regulating CaCO₃ crystal morphology to optimize product structure. Using steel slag as an aggregate, carbonated steel slag pervious concrete was prepared to investigate the influence mechanisms of B/A ratio and W/B ratio on compressive strength, permeability coefficient, and carbonation effects. The post-carbonation strength increase was adopted to evaluate carbonation efficiency. Increasing B/A ratio enhanced paste filling in aggregate voids, raising 28d compressive strength to 24.76 MPa, but thickened paste coating layers reduced permeability coefficient to 0.33 mm/s while impeding CO₂ diffusion, decreasing carbonation strength growth rate by 22.76%. Initial W/B ratio elevation improved workability to increase strength to 23.76 MPa, whereas excessive water caused paste sedimentation and strength reduction. As W/B ratio rose, permeability coefficient decreased by 65.6%, while carbonation strength growth rate increased. The carbonated steel slag pervious concrete contained approximately 82% steel slag, demonstrating high resource utilization efficiency of steel slag and significant potential for carbon emission reduction. Full article

The traditional cement compaction process boasts notable advantages such as high strength, durability, and aesthetic appeal. However, compaction forming technology for cement products results in high carbon emissions. Consequently, it is imperative to develop low-carbon strategies for these products. This study investigates the modification of solid waste-based low-carbon sulfoaluminate cementitious material (SSCM) using mineral powder (MP) and steel slag micro powder (SSMP) under compaction forming technology. The results indicate that higher compaction pressure leads to higher early-stage strength, while the later-stage strength is primarily influenced by the degree of hydration. At a compaction pressure of 40 MPa, the one-day compressive strength of the material exceeded 70 MPa, representing a 48.31% increase compared to the control group. Under compaction forming, the hydration reaction rate decreased, but the compaction process significantly reduced porosity. Moreover, higher pressure correlated with a reduction in the proportion of harmful pores. Incorporating 25% MP and 20% SSMP increased the compressive strength by 10.66% to 113.5 MPa. According to orthogonal experimental results, the optimal molding conditions entail a 20% MP content, a 20% SSMP content, and a molding pressure of 40 MPa. The research findings can serve as a theoretical foundation for the widespread application of SSCM and compaction forming technology in practical engineering. Full article

As a non-biodegradable material and a major environmental hazard due to its discharge into the environment, by-products like steel production steel slag (SS) are disposed of in open spaces, agricultural lands, and close to residential areas. This by-product is now considered to have qualities that make it a potential substitute for cement and natural aggregates in the manufacturing of concrete or clinker in the cement manufacturing sector. The effects of using a novel type of SS made in an induction furnace (IF) in place of Portland cement and natural coarse aggregate in concrete were investigated experimentally. Steel slag powder (SSP), low-density steel slag (LDSS) aggregate, and high-density steel slag (HDSS) aggregate were all physically and chemically examined in this study. Each of these three replacement materials was added to concrete in weight proportions of 20%, 40%, and so on. The performance of the resultant mixtures was compared to that of the plain concrete, and the mechanical properties such as split tensile strength, flexural strength, and compressive strength were examined, along with the durability properties of water absorption (WA) and freeze–thaw, and the non-destructive testing of ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) of the concrete mixtures were also evaluated. The results indicated that adding HDSS to the concrete increased its mechanical and durability properties, while adding LDSS and SSP resulted in a small and a significant drop in mechanical properties, respectively, when compared to the plain concrete. The increase in compressive strength and the decrease in water absorption at the standard age of 28 days reached 5.2% and 2.1%, respectively. The percentage decrease in compressive strength (8.95–21.74%) of SS concrete mixtures after freeze–thaw cycles was greater than that of the control concrete. Additionally, a concrete mixture containing 40% HDSS yielded the best results. Full article

In order to explore the influence of steel slag on the road performance of asphalt mastic and its mixtures, steel slag powder (SSP) and steel slag aggregate (SSA) were used to replace limestone mineral powder filler (MF) and natural limestone aggregate (LA) respectively to prepare asphalt mastic and mixture. A series of standardized tests including penetration, softening point, ductility, viscosity, pull-off strength, dynamic shear rheometer (DSR), and bending beam rheometer (BBR) were carried out to evaluate the performance of asphalt mastics with SSP. Meanwhile, high- and low-temperature performance, moisture stability, volumetric stability, and fatigue resistance were evaluated by wheel tracking, uniaxial penetration strength, Hamburg, three-point bending, freeze–thaw splitting, immersed Marshall stability, water immersion expansion, and two-point bending trapezoidal beam fatigue tests. The results show that compared to the asphalt mastic with MF, enhanced high-temperature deformation resistance and reduced low-temperature cracking resistance of asphalt mastic with SSP were observed, as well as superior aging resistance. The improvements in high-temperature stability, moisture resistance, and fatigue performance were confirmed for asphalt mixtures with SSP/SSA. Additionally, compromised volumetric stability and low-temperature crack resistance were found when SSP/SSA was used in mixtures. Although asphalt mixtures with SSA exhibited 257.79%–424.60% higher expansion rate after 21-day immersion than those with LA, the 3-day immersion expansion rates complied with specification limits (<1.5% per JTG F40-2004). Critical volume expansion control measures should be adopted for full-component applications of steel slag powder/aggregates due to the hydration potential of free lime (f-CaO) and magnesium oxide (MgO) in steel slag under moisture exposure. Full article