Mechanical analysis of concrete with partial replacements of aggregates by steel filings

ABSTRACT

The present study aimed to present the results obtained for the mechanical behavior of concrete, considering the partial replacement of aggregate content with industrial waste from steel machining. Given the mechanical properties of metals, it is considered that the partial substitution of aggregates in concrete with waste of this nature can act not only as an improvement factor in the material’s behavior but also as an efficient way to dispose of the specific waste. Additionally, the substitution of aggregates with alternative materials contributes to mitigating the scarcity of these resources. Thus, the work is justified by its potential in relation to cementitious materials engineering and impacts related to the sustainability of buildings. To investigate the material, three replacement levels were adopted concerning the weight of cement, namely 5%, 10%, and 15%. Tests were conducted to obtain water absorption and consistency, as well as indirect tensile strength, compression, and static elasticity modulus. The replacement of aggregates with machining waste was found to lead to higher quality concrete production and increased strengths. This improvement was more pronounced for fine aggregate replacement, with an increase in average compression and tensile strength of up to 73.70% and 73.71%, respectively. Through nonlinear approximations, the optimal content was found to be around 12% for fine aggregate replacement. For coarse aggregate replacements, levels above those studied tend to be more interesting.

Keywords
Steel shavings; Concrete; Waste; Aggregates; Fibers