Performance Evaluation of Asphalt Mixtures with 100% EAF and BOF Steel Slag Aggregates Using Laboratory Tests and Mechanistic Analyses

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate fatigue cracking and rutting performance of two asphalt mixtures with 1) Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) and 2) Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) steel slag as 100% recycled aggregate in comparison to hot-mix asphalt concrete mixture (HMA). Fatigue cracking performance was assessed through 3D FEM structural analysis methods of Layered Viscoelastic Continuum Damage (LVECD) based on Viscoelastic Continuum Damage (VECD) material modeling derived through laboratory dynamic modulus and direct tension cyclic fatigue tests. Rutting resistance was evaluated by using laboratory Incremental Repeated Load Performance Deformation (IRLPD) and full-scale Accelerated Pavement Tests (APT). The results of laboratory testing and mechanistic analysis showed better rutting resistance of asphalt pavement with EAF aggregates in comparison to HMA pavement while pavement with BOF aggregates exhibited about the same performance. Additionally, asphalt pavement with BOF aggregates, HMA, and pavement with EAF aggregates manifested fatigue cracking performance in descending order. The findings of this study can be used as a guide for the development of recycled asphalt mixtures containing slag aggregates acquired from steel production.