Electric Arc Furnace Slag as Coarse Recycled Aggregate for Concrete Production

Electric arc furnace (EAF) slag is a by-product of steel production that has potential applications in civil engineering, particularly as coarse aggregate in concrete production. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of using EAF slag for this purpose by comparing three EAF concrete mixes with varying cement amounts and silica fume inclusion against a reference concrete. The primary focus was on achieving a concrete strength class between C50/60 and C60/75 while assessing mechanical properties, including compressive and tensile strength as well as elastic modulus. A microstructural analysis was performed to investigate the interfacial transition zone post-failure of the specimens. The results demonstrated that EAF slag could achieve higher compressive strength than natural aggregates, enabling a reduction in cement content needed to attain the desired strength class. These findings suggest that the integration of EAF slag not only enhances the mechanical performance of concrete but also offers an environmentally sustainable solution to reduce waste from steel production.