Fundamental Properties of Blocks which Set Steel Slag by Hydration Reaction and Biofouling Build-up Properties on Exposure to Marine Environment

Abstract

Block without cement and natural aggregates has been developed from steel slag, and its applicability to marine structure has been investigated. The slag block has the following feature: (1) Similar-manufacturing process to conventional concrete can be used. (2) It has sufficient strength to adapt the standard of marine concrete. (3) It has excellent abrasion resistance characteristics. (4) The lower rate of dissolution of alkaline elements in soaking seawater. (5) The biofouling growth on slag block was significantly more than that on the concrete block in the intertidal area at Mizushima Port in the Inland Sea. This was true both with respect to the total biomass of biofouling organisms as well as the number of species.