Performance Evaluation of Asphalt Pavements Mixed with Steel Slag

Abstract

Lack of natural stone and expensive cost of purchasing high-quality aggregate promote the utilization of steel slag. The asphalt mixtures incorporating basic oxygen furnace steel slag (BOF) as coarse aggregate were prepared and subsequently subjected to various laboratory tests to determine the engineering properties of asphalt concrete. Results show that BOF provides higher stability value compared to natural-aggregate-based asphalt mixtures. Steel slag would include angular and rough textured particles that could enhance the interlocking mechanism. Test sections were constructed by using three different types of asphalt mixtures as follows: stone mastic asphalt with BOF, dense-graded asphalt concrete with BOF, and dense-graded asphalt concrete with natural aggregate. Pavement performance including rutting, ride quality and friction was collected and analyzed. Field data indicated that the use of BOF steel slag as aggregate present a viable solution for asphalt pavements, which could ensure a satisfactory level of performance.