Materials and Structures (2010) 43:309–317
DOI 10.1617/s11527-009-9490-2
ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Mechanical properties of ferrochromium slag in granular
layers of flexible pavements
Altan Yılmaz Æ Mustafa Karaşahin
Received: 29 May 2008 / Accepted: 23 February 2009 / Published online: 8 March 2009
Ó RILEM 2009
Abstract Ferrochromium slag is a waste material
obtained from the manufacture of ferrochromium
(FeCr). This article reports the results of experiments,
aiming to identify the properties of ferrochromium
slag when it is used as an artificial aggregate for
preparation of granular layers of flexible pavements.
The experimental program consisted of two stages:
(1) study of the physical and chemical properties of
slag; (2) study of the mechanical properties of
specimens made with ferrochromium slag and lime-
stone as aggregate. Laboratory prepared cylindrical
specimens were tested in repeated load triaxial (RLT)
test apparatus, developed at Süleyman Demirel
University, Turkey. In addition, particle size analysis,
abrasion test, frost resistance, compaction test,
California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test and leaching
test were performed on the materials prior to RLT
testing. The results indicate that the physical and
mechanical properties of air-cooled ferrochromium
slag are as good or better than those of natural
aggregates. Therefore, FeCr slag and SiFeCr slag
have potential to be used as a pavement base layer
material in applications where crushed limestone
aggregate materials are traditionally used.
A. Yılmaz (&)
M. Karaşahin
Department of Civil Engineering, Süleyman Demirel
University, 32260 Isparta, Turkey
e-mail: altan_y@yahoo.com
M. Karaşahin
e-mail: mkara@mmf.sdu.edu.tr
Keywords Repeated load triaxial test

Ferrochromium slag
Granular material

Resilient modulus
Flexible pavements
1 Introduction
Ferrochromium slag is a waste material obtained
from the manufacture of Ferrochromium (FeCr).
Based on its physical properties, slag appears to be
a good material as an alternative to conventional
granular materials [1].
Waste slag constitutes a significant portion of the
solid waste that goes to landfill each year. Highway
applications such as pavement bases use large
quantities of granular materials; therefore it would
be an ideal use for slag [2, 3].
Ferrochromium slag samples used in this study
were provided from Antalya Ferrochrome Plant, one
of the largest producers of low-carbon ferrochromium
in Eurasia, located in southern Turkey. The current
production level of ferrochromium slag is approxi-
mately 45,000 tons per year. In untreated conditions
the bulk density of the slag is around 1.8 t/m3 and the
volume generated is about 81,000 m3/year [4]. Pro-
duction levels of the slag are acceptable for a
highway construction material. A relatively small
percentage of this slag is currently utilized, but the
rest is held in dumps.
In the last decade, the potential usage of ferro-
chromium slag as an alternative aggregate in cement
310
and concrete applications and pavement layers has
been investigated [5–8].
This article reports the results of experiments,
aiming to identify the properties of ferrochromium
slag when used as an artificial aggregate for prepa-
ration of granular layers of flexible pavements. The
experimental program consisted of two stages; (1)
study of the physical and chemical properties of slag;
(2) study of the mechanical properties of specimens
made with ferrochromium slag and limestone as
aggregate. As the study aimed to determine the
potential of ferrochromium slag as an aggregate, the
slag properties are compared with conventional
crushed aggregate according to relevant standards.
Crushed limestone is often used as a pavement base
and sub-base material in many parts of Turkey.
Specimens prepared from two different slag (FeCr
and SiFeCr slag) provided from the same establish-
ment were tested in Repeated Load Triaxial (RLT)
test apparatus, developed at Süleyman Demirel
University, Turkey. Resilient modulus, Poisson’s
ratio and permanent deformation values of the
cylindrical shaped specimens were determined by
RLT tests. In addition, particle size analysis, abrasion
test, frost resistance, compaction test, CBR test and
leaching tests were performed on the materials prior
to RLT testing.
2 Background
Static load testing of granular materials does not
simulate the repetitive vehicular loading that occurs
in pavements. The engineering property that models
the behavior of material under such repetitive loading
is the resilient modulus [9]. Resilient modulus ‘‘Mr’’
is the fundamental material property used to charac-
terize the quality of subgrade and unbound granular
aggregate bases. It is determined from laboratory
testing of cylindrical granular material specimens.
Laboratory repeated load triaxial tests have been
widely used to determine resilient modulus and
permanent deformation characteristics of unbound
granular materials. In this test, cylindrical specimens
are subjected to a series of load pulses applied with a
distinct rest period, simulating the stresses caused by
multiple wheels moving over the pavement. A
constant all-around confining pressure, applied on
the specimen simulates the in situ lateral stresses.
Materials and Structures (2010) 43:309–317
In the triaxial test, where only principal stresses
can be applied and two principal stresses are equal,
usually r2 and r3, the following stress invariants
commonly are utilized:
r1 þ 2r3
p¼ ð1Þ
3
q ¼ r 1  r3 ð2Þ
h ¼ r1 þ 2r3 ð3Þ
where p is the mean normal stress, q deviatoric stress
and h is the sum of principal stresses [10].
The total recoverable axial deformation response
of the specimen caused by the stress pulses is used to
calculate resilient modulus (Eq. 4).
r1  r3 rd
Mr ¼ ¼ ð4Þ
er er
where rd is the applied deviator stress; (r1 - r3), er
the resilient strain.
The research into characterization of pavement
granular materials started many decades ago. The first
constitutive model for granular pavement materials
was presented in 1962 when Biarez proposed his
stress-dependent constitutive model. Since then,
many researchers have investigated this topic. Hicks
and Monismith [11] indicate that stress level is the
most significant factor that influences the resilient
properties of granular pavement materials. They also
found that factors such as material type, density,
gradation, particle roughness, particle angularity,
fines content and degree of saturation influence
resilient response.
Using results from laboratory repeated load tests,
numerous constitutive models have been proposed to
predict resilient modulus. The most commonly used
examples of such models for granular pavement base
and sub-base materials are the bulk stress model
(Eq. 5) and a model proposed by Uzan [12] that
includes the bulk stress and deviatoric stress as
parameters (Eq. 6).
Mr ¼ k1
hk2
ð5Þ
h ¼ r1 þ r2 þ r3 ¼ r1 þ 2r3 ðBulk StressÞ
In Eq. 5, h is the bulk stress (first stress invariant
of the normal stress tensor) and k1, k2 are regression
constants determined by statistical analysis of labo-
ratory data. The bulk stress is equal to the sum of
three principal stresses. Previous research has shown
Materials and Structures (2010) 43:309–317 311

that higher quality granular materials exhibit larger Asphalt (HMA) pavements, as an aggregate in
k1 values and smaller k2 values [13]. The major concrete pavements, as a base or sub-base material,
limitation of the bulk stress model is that it does not as an embankment material, as railway ballast and in
account for shear stresses and shear strains during snow and ice control [3, 8, 16].
loading. Also, the bulk stress model does not
appropriately handle volumetric strain or dilative 3.1 Chemical composition
behavior of granular soil under triaxial loading
conditions [12, 14, 15]. However, bulk stress model No. 200 sieve passing samples were analyzed for
is still widely used and the AASHTO T294-94 test main oxides by the ICP-ES method in the ACME
procedure recommends the use of bulk stress model Analytical Laboratory, Vancouver, Canada. The
for unbound granular base and sub-base materials. results are given in Table 1. The chemical composi-
tion of the slag includes four major elements: silicon
Mr ¼ k1
hk2
rk3
d ð6Þ
(Si), magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al) and calcium
For the three-parameter model (Uzan model) (Ca). Together with their oxides, these components
shown in Eq. 6, h is the bulk stress and rd is the make up 90% of the slag.
deviatoric stress. The three parameters k1, k2 and k3
are the regression constants. Previous research has 3.2 Leaching tests
shown that three-parameter constitutive model pre-
dicts laboratory measured resilient moduli more When industrial co-products are used as aggregate in
effectively [9, 12]. road construction its water resource implications
should be taken into account. Some alternative
aggregates may contain environmentally undesirable
elements or compounds such as heavy metals [16].
3 Materials and experimental methods
To get information about the effect on the ground
water and soil, it is of more interest to know the
The three materials used in the test program were
concentrations of these heavy metals which can be
FeCr slag, SiFeCr slag and limestone aggregate.
leached out.
Limestone was obtained from the Antalya Bogacayi
Quarries.
Ferrochromium slag is a waste material obtained
Table 1 Main oxides and some trace elements of slag and
from the manufacture of ferrochromium (FeCr). FeCr limestone
metal is produced in electric-arc furnaces by a
Element Unit FeCr slag SiFeCr slag Limestone
physical-chemical process from the oxide of chro-
mium ore with coke as the reducing agent at a SiO2 % 25.74 43.47 0.195
temperature of about 1,500°C. Both the molten FeCr Al2O3 % 8.71 22.46 0.075
metal and the slag flow out into ladles. After gravity- Fe2O3 % 1.92 0.785 0.07
separation from the metal, the molten slag, slowly MgO % 13.01 28.61 0.36
cools in the air, forming a stable, dense, crystalline CaO % 43.52 2.35 76.9
product having excellent mechanical properties Na2O % 0.145 0.08 0.02
[4, 8]. This kind of slag is called air-cooled K2O % 0.075 0.58 \0.04
Electric-arc Furnace (EAF) slag. Cr2O3 % 3.49 0.55 0.007
The physical properties of EAF slag offers advan- Ba ppm – 678.5 7
tages compared to other aggregates. It lacks clay and Ni ppm 175.5 174 \5
organic ingredients in its composition, has a rough Sr ppm – 150.5 186.5
and porous surface, good adhesion and good abrasion Zr ppm – 89.5 \5
resistance. On the other hand, the water absorption
LOI % 1.4 0.85 22.25
rate is partially high because of the porous nature of
Tot/C % 0.54 2.06 6.48
the slag. There are several potential uses of air-cooled
Tot/S % 0.08 0.04 0.015
EAF slag: It can be used as an aggregate in Hot Mix
312
3.2.1 SPLP test
The Synthetic Precipitation Leaching Procedure
(SPLP) was used to evaluate the potential for leaching
metals into ground and surface waters. This method
provides a more realistic assessment of metal mobility
under actual field conditions. The extraction fluid is
intended to simulate precipitation. For this purpose,
100 g of slag sample (\2 mm fraction slag) was
placed in a plastic bottle together with 2,000 ml of
leach solution, sulfuric/nitric acid solution, pH of
which is 4.2 and 5. The mixture was then agitated at
18 rpm for 24 h [17]. The mixture was filtered through
a 0.45 lm glass fibre filter. Cr were analyzed by
spectrophotometer (HACH DR/4000) using diphenyl-
carbohydrazide method for Cr(VI) and alkaline
hypobromite oxidation method for total Cr. pH
measurements were done by a pH meter. Standard
solutions were prepared by using analytical chemicals.
3.2.2 Results of SPLP test
The SPLP test results are shown in Table 2. Test
results showed that only Cr content is significant as
the heavy element in leaching extracts. Cr concen-
tration in SPLP extracts obtained from crushed
ferrochromium slag samples are 4 and 4.5 mg/l, that
meet the US EPA limits of 5 mg/l for chromium. This
result is in agreement with the results reported by
Gericke, Erdem and Lind for various ferrochromium
slags [1, 18, 19]. Organic substances do not exist in
slags because of the high melting temperature of
about 1,500°C.
3.3 Grain size distribution
Grain size distribution curves used in the study are
presented in Fig. 1. The Type C gradation limits of
base course layers which is recommended by General
Directorate of Turkish Highways (GDTH) was used
Table 2 Cr concentration and pH value of SPLP extracts
Material FeCr slag Limestone
Extraction fluid pH value 4.2 5 4.2
Final pH value 10.5 11 9 10
Cr(VI) (mg/l) 4 3.5 0.0
Total Cr (mg/l) 4.5 4 0.0
Materials and Structures (2010) 43:309–317
100
90 upper limit
Percentage Passing
80
used mixture
70
60
lower limit
50
40
30
20
10
0
0,01 0,10 1,00 10,00
Particle Size (mm)
Fig. 1 Grading curves of used mixture
which is well graded and maximum particle size
(Dmax) is up to 25 mm in diameter. Particle size
distribution of the slag as obtained from the Ferro-
chrome processor is not suitable for direct use in
pavement layers. Crushing and screening should be
applied to oversized parts of the slag to achieve the
required grain size distribution shown in Fig. 1. For
this purpose, oversized aggregates were crushed with
a jaw crusher and screened in a 25 mm sieve.
3.4 Preliminary laboratory tests
In the laboratory, repeated load triaxial tests were
performed. Complementary analysis such as particle
density and water absorption tests (TS EN 1097-6),
Los Angeles tests (TS EN 1097-2) and frost resis-
tance tests according to TS EN 1367-2 were also
carried out. In accordance with the standards, these
tests were performed on a sample of single-sized
aggregate.
Furthermore, compaction test (TS EN 13286-2)
and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) tests (TS EN
13286-47) were carried out. The maximum particle
size of the tested specimen was 25 mm. CBR test
specimens were compacted at optimum water content
(Wopt) and were tested directly after compaction
without soaking.
The observed properties of the materials are
illustrated in Table 3. Water absorption of FeCr slag
is a bit higher (2.3%) due to the porous nature of slag
particles. Permissible characteristics of materials for
5
granular base course layers of flexible pavements are
given in the last column of Table 3 [20].
0.0
The Freeze–thaw resistance obtained for the FeCr
0.0
and SiFeCr slag are 4.12 and 3.26% (mean value)
Materials and Structures (2010) 43:309–317 313

Table 3 Technical properties of slag and limestone aggregate

Property FeCr slag SiFeCr slag Limestone Specification
aggregate (GDTH)

Water absorption (%) 2.32 0.74 0.38 B2.5

Los Angeles abrasion value (%) 18.58 14.03 21.20 B40
Freeze–thaw resistance* (weight loss) (%) 4.12 3.26 5.41 B15
CBR value (%) 107 140 103 C100
Specific gravity (g/cm3) (Fine aggregate) 3.15 2.78 2.65 –
Bulk density (g/cm3) 1.88 1.93 1.87 –
* Magnesium sulfate test

respectively. This compares with the value of 5.41%
for a reference material of crushed limestone. The
mean Los Angeles (LA) values of slag are 18.5 and
14.0%, compared with 21.2% for the reference
material. The CBR values of slag are 107 and
140%; the reference material is 103%.
Technical properties of the slag listed in Table 3
are comparable or better than natural aggregate. In
particular, the LA value, CBR value and freeze–thaw
resistance are notable properties of the slag.
3.5 Proctor test
The standard Proctor compaction test was conducted
on the three materials to determine the moisture–
density relationship. The test was conducted accord-
ing to TS EN 13286-2 (150 mm diameter mold, three
separate lifts of soil, 56 blows by a 2.5 kg hammer
falling 30.5 cm). Figure 2 shows the moisture–den-
sity relationship for each material.
Standard Proctor tests on all materials resulted in
dry density values between 2.30 and 2.42 g/cm3 and
an optimum water content of between 6.5% and 9%.
2,5
Dry density (g/cm3)
Optimum moisture contents (Wopt) obtained from
standard Proctor test results were used for compact-
ing the RLT test specimen.
3.6 Repeated load triaxial (RLT) test
Repeated load triaxial (RLT) test apparatus was used
to determine the resilient modulus and permanent
deformation values of the specimens. The RLT tests
were carried out on drained specimens with the
dimensions of 150 mm diameter and 300 mm height
in Süleyman Demirel University’s PC controlled
RLT test apparatus. This apparatus has a closed-loop
electro-pneumatic loading device.
Several triaxial test methods are available for
measuring resilient modulus (Mr) of soils and
unbound granular materials, presented by AASHTO,
ASTM, and the SHRP LTPP program. The testing
procedure used in this research is based on the
AASHTO Test Method T294-94 [21]. This method
recommends vibratory compaction of the specimen,
but no exact specifications are provided for the
number of aggregate layers, the amount of vibration
energy and the duration of vibration [22]. In this
research, a vibratory table shown in Fig. 3 was used.
The specimens were manufactured in five layers in a
cylindrical split mold and surcharge load was used to

2,4
help compact the specimen. This is a useful method
2,3 that was recommended in earlier experiments [23–
25]. It was also chosen because of the crushing
2,2
SiFeCr tendency of porous materials. Optimum moisture
2,1 FeCr contents (Wopt) determined from the standard Proctor
Limestone test were used in specimen preparation. After com-
2 paction the split mold was stripped and the specimens
4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
were equipped with platens in both ends.
Water content (%)
After a test specimen was fabricated, it was placed
Fig. 2 Proctor test results in the triaxial chamber and instrumentation attached.
314 Materials and Structures (2010) 43:309–317

[21]. Following conditioning, the resilient modulus

test was carried out according to the loading
sequences. The loading sequences described in the
AASHTO T294-94 protocol were used, with some
modifications. First three lower sequences were not
used because of the inadequately obtained smaller
axial strains. Instead, four new sequences added
having intervals and total loading sequences reached
16. For each material investigated, three specimens
were compacted and tested. The results that are
discussed here are averages for these three specimens.
The RLT testing procedure recommends a haver-
sine loading pattern with a loading duration of 0.1 s
and an unloading duration of 0.9 s for hydraulic
loading systems. The electro-pneumatic system used
Fig. 3 Sample preparation by vibrating table
in this research had 0.5 s loading duration and a 0.5 s
unloading duration. The shape of the loading pulse is
The triaxial chamber was used to contain the test
haver-sine [26].
specimen and the confining fluid during the test. A
typical triaxial chamber suitable for use in resilient
modulus testing is shown in Fig. 4. The axial
4 RLT test results
deformation was measured internally, directly on
the specimen, using clamps (Fig. 4). Air was used
4.1 Resilient modulus results
within the triaxial chamber as the confining fluid.
For sample conditioning, the confining pressure
Resilient modulus (Mr) is determined from laboratory
was set to 103.4 KPa and 1,000 repetitions at a
testing of cylindrical granular material specimens and
maximum deviatoric cyclic stress of 93.1 KPa were
is calculated as the ratio of repetitive deviatoric stress
applied. Conditioning is necessary for establishing
(rd) and resilient (recoverable) strain (er).
better contact between the specimen and load platens,
Resilient modulus values were calculated after 100
and for developing a more homogeneous specimen
cycles of each loading sequences. The specimens
were tested at 95% of maximum dry density, which
varied between 2.18 and 2.30 t/m3. The water content
was optimum. The resilient modulus data were first
fitted to the bulk stress model (Eq. 5) and are shown
in Fig. 5. The bulk stress model appears to fit the data

1000
Resilient modulus, log(Mr) (MPa)

FeCr
y = 7,05x 0,66
600 Limestone R² = 0,88
500 SiFeCr

400
300
y = 12,42x 0,53
R² = 0,90
200 y = 8,05x 0,62
R² = 0,90

100
100 1000
Bulk stress, log (θ)(KPa)

Fig. 5 Resilient modulus and best fit curves using bulk stress
Fig. 4 Triaxial pressure chamber and on-sample LVDT’s model
Materials and Structures (2010) 43:309–317 315

reasonably well and it does show the stress depen- 300

Deviatoric stress (KPa)

dency of resilient modulus in the material tested. 250
Limestone
Under 34.5 KPa lower confining pressure, Mr values 200 SiFeCr
tend to decrease slightly with bulk stress. Above FeCr
150
34.5 KPa confining pressure the Mr values increased
100
with bulk stress (h), and this increase was seen to
accelerate at 138 KPa confining pressure. The circles 50

in Fig. 5 illustrate this finding. 0

The resilient modulus value for the tested mate-
rials varies between 200 and 500 MPa depending on
bulk stress and material type. There is no clear
difference between Mr values of materials. However,
Mr values of FeCr slag are slightly higher than other
materials. Natural aggregate and SiFeCr slag follows
FeCr values respectively (Fig. 5).
However, SiFeCr slag provides better results than
other materials in the LA test, the frost resistance test
and the CBR test. Its stiffness properties determined
by the RLT test are similar to that of crushed
limestone and lower than FeCr slag. The performance
of the materials studied cannot be indicated properly
by the LA test, frost resistance test and other
conventional tests developed for single sized aggre-
gates. Also, the CBR is a static property that is not an
adequate method to differentiate between elastic and
plastic deformations of specimens.
Table 4 shows ‘‘k’’ values and R2 values calculated
for the two well-known resilient modulus models
(Eqs. 5 and 6). The ‘‘k’’ values are material parameters
determined by statistically analysis of laboratory data.
The coefficient of determination (R2) values fit better
statistically to the three-parameter model compared to
the two-parameter bulk stress model.
4.2 Poisson’s ratio
The Poisson’s ratios, determined from RLT tests, are
generally higher at low levels of deviatoric stress, as
0,10 0,15 0,20 0,25 0,30 0,35 0,40
Poisson's Ratio
Fig. 6 Poisson’s ratios following the 100 cycles of each
loading sequences
shown in Fig. 6. The observed Poisson’s ratio for
three tested materials ranges between 0.21 and 0.36.
Limestone materials containing more fine materials
in their grading, such as clay and silt, have a low
value of Poisson’s ratio when compared with slag
materials.
4.3 Permanent deformations
To determine the permanent deformation behavior of
the studied materials, RLT tests were performed on
cylindrical shaped specimens. The specimens were
prepared in a similar method to the Mr test specimens.
The stress level (r1/r3) of 4 was used and 5,000 load
cycles were carried out. Figures 7 and 8 show the
results of the permanent deformation tests at a
constant confining pressure of 69 KPa for 207 KPa
deviatoric stress.
The cumulative axial permanent strains versus the
number of loading cycles are illustrated in Fig. 7 on a
log–log scale. Permanent axial strains accumulated
from 5,000 load repetitions are in the range of 1% and
1.2% (10
10-3 and 12
10-3 strain). The classic
power-law model, mathematically expressed by
Eq. 7, is typically used to simulate the test results.

Table 4 Resilient modulus model parameters for tested materials

Material type Bulk stress model Uzan model
Material parameters Determination coefficient Material parameters Determination coefficient
2
(k1) (k2) (R ) (k1) (k2) (k3) (R2)

FeCr slag 7.047 0.661 0.875 6.759 0.873 –0.256 0.936

SiFeCr slag 12.423 0.531 0.902 9.703 0.700 –0.160 0.945
Limestone 8.052 0.624 0.900 6.716 0.821 –0.208 0.954
316 Materials and Structures (2010) 43:309–317

Limestone FeCr SiFeCr 5 Conclusions

100.000
σ1/σ3=4
From the findings of the study, the following
Permanent strain (µε)

σd=207 KPa
εp = 3887,6N 0,14
σc=69 KPa R2 = 0,97 conclusions can be drawn:
The physical properties of the slag meet the
10.000 requirements of the aggregates for granular layers
of flexible pavements. Particularly, the LA value,
εp = 3577,4N 0,13 εp = 2468,8N 0,17 CBR value and high frost resistance, qualify these
R2 = 0,99 R2 = 0,99 slag as aggregate suitable for pavement layers.
1.000 RLT test results showed that Mr values of FeCr
1 10 100 1.000 10.000
slag are slightly higher than other materials. Lime-
Number of cycles, log(N)
stone aggregate and SiFeCr slag rank after FeCr slag,
Fig. 7 Cumulative permanent axial strain versus number of respectively.
load repetitions The Poisson’s ratios were higher at low levels of
deviatoric stresses. The observed Poisson’s ratio for
the tested materials ranges between 0.21 and 0.36.
Permanent axial strains accumulated from 5,000 load
Permanent axial deformation (mm)

4,0 repetitions are in the range of 1% and 1.2%.

3,0
2,0
1,0
0,0
0 1000
Number of cycles (N)
Fig. 8 Cumulative permanent axial deformations versus the
number of load repetitions
Material parameters a and b are determined from a
regression analysis of the test data.
ep ¼ a
N b
where ep is the permanent strain, N the number of
loading cycles.
Figure 8 illustrates the axial permanent deforma-
tions versus the number of loading cycles. It can be
clearly seen that the magnitude of accumulated
permanent deformations increases according to the
increase in cycle repetitions. However, after the first
1,000 repetitions, permanent deformations increase
slowly and the deformation curve slowly reaches a
horizontal trend. Permanent axial deformation results
range between 3.0 and 3.5 mm. Permanent deforma-
tion values for FeCr and SiFeCr slag were lower than
limestone aggregate.
The research indicates that the physical and
mechanical properties of air-cooled ferrochromium
slag are as good or better than those of natural
Limestone aggregates. Therefore, FeCr slag and SiFeCr slag
σ1/σ3=4
σd=207 KPa
FeCr have potential to be used as a pavement base layer
σc=69 KPa SiFeCr
material in similar applications, where traditional
crushed limestone aggregate materials are used. It can
be used as a base or sub-base material in highway
2000 3000 4000 5000
pavements and as an embankment material. Further-
more, the use of the slag as aggregate in pavement
layers reduces the requirement for natural aggregates
and saves the existing natural resources.
It is also concluded that conventional testing
methods for granular materials do not simulate the
repetitive vehicular loading that occurs in pavements.
The LA test, frost resistance test and other tests
ð7Þ developed for single sized aggregates do not provide
a true indication of the performance of the materials
studied. The behavior of granular road material under
such repetitive loading should be analyzed using
repeated load triaxial tests in the laboratory.
According to leaching test results, it can be
concluded that the ferrochromium slag is not a
potential pollutant. The SPLP test results showed that
except for the chromium, the leaching of other heavy
elements is insignificant in terms of environmental
impact. Cr concentrations in SPLP extracts obtained
from crushed ferrochromium slag samples are meet
the US EPA limits of 5 mg/l for chromium. All these
tests were performed in the laboratories but what
happens out in the field, under the real traffic. The
Materials and Structures (2010) 43:309–317
mechanical performance and environmental impact
of the slag should be compared the results from the
field sides with the laboratory investigations.
Acknowledgements This study was supported financially by
The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey
(TUBITAK P.No: 105M019). The authors also thank to M.V.
Taciroğlu for his assistance with the laboratory tests.
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