Performance Analysis of Concrete Using Steel Slag as Aggregate Replacement with Potential Application in Rural Pavements

Abstract

Global demand for natural aggregates has grown as a result of the rapid urbanization and infrastructure development, thus increasing the depletion of the resources. Steel slag, a by-product of industry, is a potential substitute. Unlike many previous studies that investigated partial replacement or relied on supplementary cementitious materials, fibres, or chemical admixtures, the present study evaluates complete replacement of both fine and coarse natural aggregates with steel slag in a plain PPC concrete without any admixtures. M30-grade mix was proportioned and evaluated for workability, mechanical and durability performance. The steel slag-based concrete achieved 32.18 MPa (7 Day) and 41.43 MPa (28 Day), which are above the target mean strength criterion of M30-Grade, and also reduced the material cost by 8.1% compared to conventional concrete, thus promoting the use of waste materials in making concrete for rural pavements. SSC also exhibited lower chloride penetrability (870 C) and water permeability (8 mm) than conventional concrete. These findings are limited to the mechanical properties and transport-related durability tests evaluated in this study. © The Author(s), under exclusive licence to The National Academy of Sciences, India 2026.