International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)
e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 11 Issue: 11 | Nov 2024
p-ISSN: 2395-0072
www.irjet.net
CHARACTERIZATION OF FERROCHROME SLAG AS AN EMBANKMENT PAVEMENT MATERIAL .
YAKANURI LAKSHMESWARA SURENDRA BABU1, 2 Mr. B. KRISHNA NAIK, M.tech.
1M. Tech Student, Department of Civil Engineering, MVR College of Engineering and Technology (autonomous)
paritala, India.
2Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, MVR College of Engineering and Technology, (autonomous),
paritala, India. -------------------------------------------------------------------------***----------------------------------------------------------------------Abstract
Incorporating industrial waste into construction materials is a growing practice to conserve resources and promote sustainability. This study explores ferrochrome slag, a promising but under-characterized by-product in Indian construction, for its potential use in embankment and pavement construction. Laboratory tests were conducted to evaluate its geotechnical and material properties, comparing its performance against other industrial wastes like fly ash and red mud, as well as natural soil. Tests included specific gravity, grain size distribution, compressive strength, shear strength, and durability to assess ferrochrome slag’s viability as a substitute for traditional materials. The study also investigated the stabilization of low-strength residual soil using ferrochrome slag to improve strength and California Bearing Ratio (CBR), making it more suitable for embankments and pavements. Results revealed that ferrochrome slag possesses favorable engineering properties, surpassing fly ash, red mud, and natural soil, with strong potential as a construction material. Ferrochrome slag effectively improves load-bearing capacity and durability when applied to residual soils. This research underscores the value of industrial by-products in construction, reducing waste while fostering sustainable infrastructure development. Keywords: Ferrochrome Slag, Fly Ash, Red Mud, Residual Soil, Specific Gravity, Grain Size Distribution, Compressive Strength, Shear Strength, California Bearing Ratio, Durability.
1. INTRODUCTION The use of large quantities of natural materials in constructing roads, embankments, and other civil engineering structures has raised concerns due to the rapid depletion of these resources, necessitating the search for sustainable alternatives (Yadav et al., 2021). Industrialization has led to the accumulation of significant quantities of by-products or industrial waste, posing environmental risks through land, air, and water pollution. Effective management and utilization of industrial by-products have thus become vital for industry sustainability (Kumar et al., 2020). To address these issues, numerous attempts have been made to incorporate industrial wastes—such as fly ash, blast furnace slag, and red mud— into civil engineering construction projects as substitutes for natural resources (Sharma and Singh, 2019). One notable by-product is ferrochrome slag, generated from ferrochrome steel plants, with annual global production estimated at 6.5 to 9.5 million tons, increasing annually by approximately 2.8 to 3% (Kauppi and Peka, 2007). Ferrochrome slag composition typically includes 13-39% SiO₂, 10-29% MgO, 16-43% Al₂O₃, 1-6% CaO, 6-18% Chromium, and 3-11% Iron (Rao et al., 2019). This study characterizes ferrochrome slag’s properties and explores its potential use as fill material for geotechnical structures such as embankments, given the limited research on its application within Indian civil engineering (Patel et al., 2022).Although ferrochrome slag remains underutilized globally in civil engineering, this research aims to address the gap by evaluating the material’s potential as an alternative geotechnical material. Laboratory tests conducted on local ferrochrome slag provide insights into its physical characteristics, morphology, mineralogy, chemical properties, index properties, and shear characteristics for geotechnical and transportation applications. Testing followed established standards, including IS: 2720–1985 and SP36 (Part 1) for geotechnical properties, and IS: 2386 and MoRTH standards for aggregates in transportation applications (BIS, 1985; MORTH, 2013). Comparative assessments were also conducted with industrial wastes such as red mud, fly ash, and local red soil to evaluate the feasibility of ferrochrome slag as a sub-grade material (Vijay et al., 2023).
1.1 Objectives 1. To determine the pH and chemical composition of ferrochrome slag to assess its suitability for construction applications. 2. To evaluate the mineralogy and morphology of ferrochrome slag through SEM and XRD analyses.
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