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IJSCER 2024 Vol.13(3): 85-89
DOI: 10.18178/IJSCER.2024.13.3.85-89

Feasibility Study of Using Steel Slag to Replace Portland Cement in Mortars

Vítor L. da Silva1, Carina M. Stolz2, Bruno B. F. da Costa2,*, Mayara Amario2, and Assed N. Haddad5
1 Civil Engineer, Novo Hamburgo, Brazil
2Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia Ambiental (PEA), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Email: vitorlopesb@gmail.com (V.L.S.); carinastolz@poli.ufrj.br (C.M.S.); bruno.barzellay@macae.ufrj.br (B.B.F.C.); mayara_amario@poli.ufrj.br (M.A.); assed@poli.ufrj.br (A.N.H.)
*Corresponding author

Manuscript received February 1, 2024; revised February 20, 2024; accepted April 5, 2024; published August 27, 2024.

Abstract—The construction sector is one of the largest solid waste generators, as well as responsible for extracting a huge volume of natural raw materials. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the consumption of non-renewable goods by implementing research and new technologies that aim to reduce the impact on the environment. In this context, this research experimentally evaluated the partial replacement of Portland Cement by electric steel slag in mortars, with replacement levels of 25% and 50%, with a water/cement + slag ratio set at 1.5. The tests were performed in a fresh and hardened state, at the ages of 28 and 91 days. The results demonstrate that replacing Portland cement with steel slag influences the properties of mortars, both in the fresh and hardened states. In the fresh state, steel slag provided an increase in workability and a density reduction. In the hardened state, as the residue content increased, there was a decrease in mechanical resistance and an increase in carbonation depth and water absorption. It is therefore concluded that replacing Portland cement with steel slag may be viable, depending on the replacement content, as well as the intended use of the mortar.The construction sector is one of the largest solid waste generators, as well as responsible for extracting a huge volume of natural raw materials. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the consumption of non-renewable goods by implementing research and new technologies that aim to reduce the impact on the environment. In this context, this research experimentally evaluated the partial replacement of Portland Cement by electric steel slag in mortars, with replacement levels of 25% and 50%, with a water/cement + slag ratio set at 1.5. The tests were performed in a fresh and hardened state, at the ages of 28 and 91 days. The results demonstrate that replacing Portland cement with steel slag influences the properties of mortars, both in the fresh and hardened states. In the fresh state, steel slag provided an increase in workability and a density reduction. In the hardened state, as the residue content increased, there was a decrease in mechanical resistance and an increase in carbonation depth and water absorption. It is therefore concluded that replacing Portland cement with steel slag may be viable, depending on the replacement content, as well as the intended use of the mortar.

Keywords—steel slag, waste, mortar, carbonation

Cite: Vítor L. da Silva, Carina M. Stolz, Bruno B. F. da Costa, Mayara Amario, and Assed N. Haddad, "Feasibility Study of Using Steel Slag to Replace Portland Cement in Mortars," International Journal of Structural and Civil Engineering Research, Vol. 13, No. 3, pp. 85-89, 2024.

Copyright © 2024 by the authors. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided that the article is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made.