The Use of Steel Slags in Asphalt Pavements: A State-of-the-Art Review

Marco Pasetto, Andrea Baliello, Giovanni Giacomello and Emiliano Pasquini ()
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Marco Pasetto: Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering (ICEA), University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
Andrea Baliello: Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering (ICEA), University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
Giovanni Giacomello: Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering (ICEA), University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy
Emiliano Pasquini: Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering (ICEA), University of Padua, 35131 Padua, Italy

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 11, 1-32

Abstract: Steel slag is a by-product obtained through the separation of molten steel from impurities in steel-making furnaces. It can be produced by different types of furnaces (blast, basic oxygen, electric arc, ladle furnaces). The reuse of metallurgical slags in road pavements can pursue aims of recycling and environmental sustainability. Based on the extensive literature, the paper presents a state-of-the-art review concerning the use of slags in asphalt pavements, discussing the main controversial literature findings. Slag manufacturing processes, chemical, morphological, and physical characteristics, affect its contribution to the asphalt mixture, when it partially or fully substitutes natural aggregates. Legislative state-of-the-art environmental issues, weathering, and leaching aspects are also discussed. The main mechanical and durability properties of pavements containing different types of slags are analyzed based on laboratory and field studies. Generally, the higher mechanical properties of steel slag suggest that its inclusion in asphalt mixtures can provide high-performance pavement layers (excellent strength and stiffness, superior rutting and fatigue resistance, low moisture susceptibility). However, several research gaps still exist (e.g., mix design and seasoning procedure, bitumen–aggregate affinity, low-temperature behavior, brittleness); they are discussed to direct possible future study efforts to clarify specific technical aspects, such as, for example, the effect of slag morphology and physical properties on the final mix properties and the development of specific mix design guidelines.

Keywords: steel slag; road pavement; asphalt mixture; recycling; steel-making; by-product; circular economy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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