Time-Dependent Strength Behavior, Expansion, Microstructural Properties, and Environmental Impact of Basic Oxygen Furnace Slag-Treated Marine-Dredged Clay in South Korea

Gyeong-o Kang, Jung-goo Kang, Jin-young Kim and Young-sang Kim
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Gyeong-o Kang: Department of Civil Engineering, Gwangju University, 277 Hyodeck-ro, Nam-gu, Gwangju 61743, Korea
Jung-goo Kang: Underground Space Safety Research Center, Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology, Goyangdae-ro 283, Ilsanseo-Gu, Goyang-si 10223, Korea
Jin-young Kim: Construction Automation Research Center, Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology, Goyangdae-ro 283, Ilsanseo-Gu, Goyang-si 10223, Korea
Young-sang Kim: Department of Civil Engineering, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 61186, Korea

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 9, 1-17

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the mechanical characteristics, microstructural properties, and environmental impact of basic oxygen furnace (BOF) slag-treated clay in South Korea. Mechanical characteristics were determined via the expansion, vane shear, and unconfined compression tests according to various curing times. Scanning electron microscopy was conducted to analyze microstructural properties. Furthermore, environmental impacts were evaluated by the leaching test and pH measurements. According to the results, at the early curing stage (within 15 h), the free lime (F-CaO) content of the BOF slag is a significant factor for developing the strength of the adopted sample. However, the particle size of the BOF slag influences the increase in the strength at subsequent curing times. It was inferred that the strength behavior of the sample exhibits three phases depending on various incremental strength ratios. The expansion magnitude of the adopted samples is influenced by the F-CaO content and also the particle size of the BOF slag. Regarding the microstructural properties, the presence of reticulation structures in the amorphous gels with intergrowths of rod-like ettringite formation was verified inside the sample. Finally, the pH values and heavy metal leachates of the samples were determined within the compatible ranges of the threshold effect levels in the marine sediments of the marine environment standard of the Republic of Korea.

Keywords: basic oxygen furnace slag; strength behavior; expansion; microstructural properties; environmental impact; marine-dredged clay (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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