Applicability Evaluation of Mixtures of Steel Slag Aggregate with Lateritic Soil as Base Material for Road Pavements

Environmental degradation and global warming have become a considerable issue in recent years. The use of more environmentally friendly materials in geotechnical engineering is of preeminent importance. The steel slag aggregate has become an alternative to conventional natural aggregates in road paving works. Therefore, this research aims to evaluate the applicability of the steel slag aggregate as an aggregate for pavement supporting courses (base and subbases). The present research deals with the use of mixtures of steel aggregate and lateritic soil obtained at the site (BR 381/MG) were the subject of the study is located. The experimental program for geotechnical laboratory tests was defined, including the physical and mechanical characterization of the steel slag aggregate, lateritic soil, and three mixtures of these components: 70% steel slag aggregate +30% lateritic soil (M7030), 80% steel slag aggregate +20% lateritic soil (M8020), and 90% steel slag aggregate +10% lateritic soil (M9010). The results of the tests showed that the steel slag aggregate provides satisfactory characteristics to be used as paving material, as long as the expansion of the steel slag aggregate is restrained. The three mixtures of steel slag aggregate and soil, presented satisfactory performance, showing texture compliance, controlled expansion, and high values of California Bearing Ratio (CBR). Therefore, verifying that the steel slag aggregate mixtures can be applied as a base material for road pavements.