Study on the Optimum Steel Slag Content of SMA-13 Asphalt Mixes Based on Road Performance

Abstract

To reduce the use of aggregates such as limestone and basalt, this paper used steel slag to replace some of the limestone aggregates in the production of SMA-13 asphalt mixes. The optimum content of steel slag in the SMA-13 asphalt mixes was investigated, and the performance of these mixes was evaluated. Five SMA-13 asphalt mixes with varying steel slag content (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) were designed and prepared experimentally. The high-temperature stability, low-temperature crack resistance, water stability, dynamic modulus, shear resistance, and volumetric stability of the mixes were investigated using the wheel tracking, Hamburg wheel tracking, three-point bending, freeze–thaw splitting, dynamic modulus, uniaxial penetration, and asphalt mix expansion tests. The results showed that compared to normal SMA-13 asphalt mixes, the high-temperature stability, water stability, and shear resistance of the SMA-13 asphalt mixes increased and then decreased as the steel slag content increased. All three performance indicators peaked at 75% steel slag content, and the dynamic stability, freeze–thaw splitting ratio, and uniaxial penetration strength increased by 90.48%, 7.39%, and 88.08%, respectively; however, the maximum bending tensile strain, which represents the low-temperature crack resistance of the asphalt mix, decreased by 5.98%. The dynamic modulus of the SMA-13 asphalt mixes increased with increasing steel slag content, but the volume expansion at a 75% steel slag content was 0.446% higher than at a 0% steel slag content. Based on the experimental results, the optimum content of steel slag for SMA-13 asphalt mixes was determined to be 75%.

Study on the Performance of Steel Slag and Its Asphalt Mixture with Oxalic Acid and Water Erosion

“…Under the same conditions with respect to gradation, aggregate, and asphalt type, the rutting stability of the mixture is mainly related to its strength and compactness. The higher the strength and compactness of the mixture, the higher its dynamic stability and the better its rutting stability [ 18 , 40 ]. Figure 11 shows the changes in dynamic stability and maximum bending strain of the steel slag mixture before and after treatment for different water erosion times.…”

“…The authors believe that the decrease in the adhesion between asphalt and steel slag is mainly due to water erosion. The asphalt shrinks and becomes brittle, aggregate pores increase, and finally, its bending crack resistance decreases [ 40 ]. After the treatment, the metal ions on the surface of steel slag combined with asphalt decrease, resulting in its adhesion with asphalt decreasing rapidly with water erosion.…”

Estabilización De Mezclas Asfálticas Stone Mastic Asphalt (Sma) Mediante Inhibidores De Drenaje Como Fibras De Basalto

“…En el contexto de infraestructuras viales, como carreteras y autopistas, los inhibidores de drenaje pueden presentarse como contaminantes que obstruyen o reducen la capacidad de los sistemas de drenaje, como alcantarillas y desagües, para evacuar el agua de lluvia de manera rápida y eficaz. Estos inhibidores pueden incluir sedimentos, residuos, aceites, productos químicos u otros materiales que comprometen la funcionalidad del sistema de drenaje y, como consecuencia, pueden dar lugar a problemas como inundaciones, daños en la infraestructura y riesgos para la seguridad vial (Chen et al, 2021a).…”

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

“…Typically, the inclusion of steel slag in asphalt mixture structures involves a clear improvement in permanent deformation resistance [138,[186][187][188][189], with creep modulus (i.e., the ratio between applied stress and final cumulative axial strain) increments up to about 50% [148] or clear increased flow number (i.e., the cycle at which a tertiary strain flow starts) [175] in the case of EAFS-integrated asphalt mixtures. The literature also mentions lower creep rates (i.e., the slope of the quasi-constant part of the creep curve) using BOFS by-products [190], as the steel slag coarse portion in SMA mixtures [150,191], or with the simultaneous inclusion of recycled concrete aggregate [143,192].…”