Feasibility Analysis of Partial Replacement of Coarse and Fine Aggregates by Waste Steel Slag in Concrete Interlocking Paving Blocks

Reinforcement steel manufacturing is an important industrial process relevant to the construction industry as reinforcements are essential products for civil engineering constructions in the present context. Steel slag is a byproduct generated in the manufacturing process of reinforcements steels. However, presently waste steel slag is not utilized for any meaningful usage even though there is a great potential to use it as a construction material especially in concrete mixes and products. Therefore, this study focused on analyzing the feasibility of partially replacing fine and coarse aggregates in concrete interlocking paving blocks. Accordingly, an extensive experimental study was carried out by partially replacing both fine and coarse aggregates in class 3 interlocking paving block production by waste steel slag. According to results of the study, the optimum partial replacement percentages of natural fine and coarse aggregates by separated steel slag particles were identified as 30% and 40% respectively considering mechanical, financial and sustainable perspectives. When the partial replacement percentages were increased further, it was noted that desired characteristics required for the concrete interlocking blocks were not achieved . Findings of this study would enable the effective utilization of waste steel slag as a raw material for concrete interlocking paving block production.