TY - JOUR
T1 - Enhancing Mechanical Properties of Expansive Soil Through BOF Slag Stabilization
T2 - A Sustainable Alternative to Conventional Methods
AU - Mustafayeva, Arailym
AU - Moon, Sung
AU - Satyanaga, Alfrendo
AU - Kim, Jong
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 by the authors.
PY - 2024/11
Y1 - 2024/11
N2 - This study investigates the stabilization of expansive soil using basic oxygen furnace (BOF) slag, an eco-friendly steel by-product, as an alternative to conventional stabilizers like ordinary Portland cement. By evaluating varying concentrations of BOF slag and lime as an activator, the research aims to improve the soil’s mechanical properties, addressing issues like low bearing capacity and high shrink–swell potential. Bentonite clay was treated with different BOF slag ratios (10%, 20%, and 30%) and activated with lime (1%, 3%, and 5%). After mixing and compaction, samples were cured and tested for unconfined compressive strength (UCS), shear wave velocity (BE), and free swell. Microscopic analyses (SEM) provided insight into structural changes post-stabilization, revealing improved properties with increased BOF and lime concentrations. Notably, stabilization with 30% BOF slag and 5% lime achieves a compressive strength of 810 kPa, meeting the minimum subgrade soil stabilization requirement (700 kPa) set by the Federal Highway Administration. This research underscores the potential of BOF slag as a sustainable and practical material for bentonite clay stabilization, offering a promising solution for enhancing soil properties while contributing to environmental sustainability through industrial by-product repurposing.
AB - This study investigates the stabilization of expansive soil using basic oxygen furnace (BOF) slag, an eco-friendly steel by-product, as an alternative to conventional stabilizers like ordinary Portland cement. By evaluating varying concentrations of BOF slag and lime as an activator, the research aims to improve the soil’s mechanical properties, addressing issues like low bearing capacity and high shrink–swell potential. Bentonite clay was treated with different BOF slag ratios (10%, 20%, and 30%) and activated with lime (1%, 3%, and 5%). After mixing and compaction, samples were cured and tested for unconfined compressive strength (UCS), shear wave velocity (BE), and free swell. Microscopic analyses (SEM) provided insight into structural changes post-stabilization, revealing improved properties with increased BOF and lime concentrations. Notably, stabilization with 30% BOF slag and 5% lime achieves a compressive strength of 810 kPa, meeting the minimum subgrade soil stabilization requirement (700 kPa) set by the Federal Highway Administration. This research underscores the potential of BOF slag as a sustainable and practical material for bentonite clay stabilization, offering a promising solution for enhancing soil properties while contributing to environmental sustainability through industrial by-product repurposing.
KW - BOF slag
KW - expansive soil
KW - bentonite clay
KW - lime
KW - soil stabilization
KW - bender element
KW - unconfined compressive strength
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85210250316&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85210250316&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3390/min14111145
DO - 10.3390/min14111145
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85210250316
SN - 2075-163X
VL - 14
JO - Minerals
JF - Minerals
IS - 11
M1 - 1145
ER -