Durability studies on steelmaking slag concretes

• Concrete containing two slag aggregates as an alternative raw material.
• Contributes to knowledge of the durability of slag concretes.
• Assesses the durability of slag concrete subjected to chemical and physical attacks.
• Assesses the durability of reinforced slag concrete in marine environments.
• Assesses the corrosive behavior of steel bars embedded in slag concrete.

Electric-arc furnace slag is proposed as a substitute for the conventional aggregate used in classical structural concrete. In the present research is studied the durability of these slag aggregate concretes and their resistance to both physical (freeze–thaw, high temperature and relative humidity) and chemical degradation (sulfate attack, alkali–aggregate reaction and marine environment), as well as their resistance to the corrosion of steel reinforcement bars (an assessment of the risks of corrosion) embedded in the concrete matrix. This approach requires laboratory studies. The main objective of this work focuses on evaluating the durability of slag concrete under the conditions specified in the Spanish structural concrete code. In general terms, the behavior of the concrete with slag aggregate was similar to or better than the reference concrete (natural aggregate), except in case of exposure to marine environments and seawater, which resulted in quicker chloride penetration. The study confirms the viability of producing steel-reinforced concrete with slag aggregate.