Exploring the Potential of Iron Slag and Stone Ash as Aggregate Replacements for the Improvement of the Compressive Strength and Durability of Self-Compacting Concrete

Authors

  • Adiwijaya Department of Civil Engineering, Politeknik Negeri Ujung Pandang, Makassar, Indonesia
  • Rita Irmawaty Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Hasanuddin University, Indonesia
  • Irka Tangke Datu Department of Civil Engineering, Politeknik Negeri Ujung Pandang, Makassar, Indonesia
  • Khairil Department of Civil Engineering, Politeknik Negeri Ujung Pandang, Makassar, Indonesia
  • Taufiq Rochman Department of Civil Engineering, State Polytechnic of Malang, Malang, Indonesia
  • Vita Fajriani Ridwan Department of Civil Engineering, Politeknik Negeri Ujung Pandang, Makassar, Indonesia
  • Muhammad Suradi Department of Civil Engineering, Politeknik Negeri Ujung Pandang, Makassar, Indonesia
  • Abdul Kadir Muhammad Department of Mechanical Engineering, Politeknik Negeri Ujung Pandang, Makassar, Indonesia
  • Budhy Setiawan Department of Electrical Engineering, State Polytechnic of Malang, Malang, Indonesia
  • Rifaldi Yatsam Civil Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Hasanuddin University, Indonesia
Volume: 16 | Issue: 1 | Pages: 32550-32556 | February 2026 | https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.16741

Abstract

Industrial by-products, such as Iron Slag (IS) and Stone Ash (SA), can replace aggregates in concrete, but research on their mechanical performance and durability, particularly in Self-Compacting Concrete (SCC), is still limited. Using these materials supports sustainable construction principles while improving material efficiency. This study evaluates the effect of replacing coarse and fine aggregates with Iron Slag and SA, respectively, on the compressive strength, durability, and practical implementation of concrete in structural applications. The research was conducted experimentally with four SCC concrete mix variations: BSI-N (control), BSI-1 (0% SA), BSI-2 (50% SA), and BSI-3 (100% SA). Tests included compressive strength, slump flow, density, porosity, sorptivity, electrical resistivity, chloride penetration, and abrasion resistance, based on ASTM and SNI standards. The results show that BSI-3 (100% SA) had the highest compressive strength (50.40 MPa) and the lowest porosity and abrasion values, but failed to meet SCC criteria due to a slump flow below 550 mm. Conversely, BSI-2 met SCC specifications with a slump flow of 650 mm, showing the best chloride penetration resistance, while it maintained an adequate compressive strength of 44.38 MPa. It was concluded that an SCC mix with 50% SA and IS (BSI-2) is optimal for industrial building applications, particularly for floor slabs and supporting structures, as it balances strength, durability, and workability.

Keywords:

SCC, iron slag, stone ash, compressive strength, durability

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

G. Habert et al., "Environmental impacts and decarbonization strategies in the cement and concrete industries," Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, vol. 1, pp. 559–573, 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s43017-020-0093-3

I. T. Datu and Khairil, "Evaluation of the Utilization of Steel Slag Waste as Fine Aggregate in High-Strength Concrete Production," in Proceedings National Seminar on Research and Community Service, pp. 119–123, 2019.

S. Nayak, A. Kizilkanat, N. Neithalath, and S. Das, "Experimental and numerical investigation of fracture behavior of particle-reinforced alkali-activated slag mortars," Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, vol. 31, no. 5, 2019. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0002673

A. Poornamazian and M. Izadinia, "A comprehensive investigation of performance characteristics, mechanical properties and durability parameters of self-compacting concrete containing iron slag as coarse aggregate," Periodica Polytechnica Civil Engineering, vol. 68, no. 2, pp. 498–510, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3311/PPci.22846

M. E. Mitwally, A. Elnemr, A. Shash, and A. Babiker, "Utilization of steel slag as partial replacement for coarse aggregate in concrete," Innovative Infrastructure Solutions, vol. 9, 2024, Art. no. 175. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41062-024-01464-y

Specification and Guidelines for Self-Compacting Concrete. London, UK: EFNARC, 2002.

SKh-1.7.23:Interim Special Specifications for Self-Compacting Concrete. Indonesia: Ministry of Public Works and Housing, 2017.

C642-97: Standard Test Method for Density, Absorption, and Voids in Hardened Concrete. West Conshohocken, PA, USA: ASTM International, 2003.

C39/C39M-01: Standard Test Method for Compressive Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens, West Conshohocken, PA, USA: ASTM International, 2003.

C78/C78M-02: Standard Test Method for Flexural Strength of Concrete (Using Simple Beam with Third-Point Loading), West Conshohocken, PA, USA: ASTM Interbational, 2003.

C1585-04: Standard Test Method for Measurement of Rate of Absorption of Water by Hydraulic-Cement Concretes, West Conshohocken, PA, USA: ASTM International, 2004.

N. Otsuki, S. Nagataki, and K. Nakashita, "Evaluation of the AgNO3 solution spray method for measurement of chloride penetration into hardened cementitious matrix materials," Construction and Building Materials, vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 195–201, 1993. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0950-0618(93)90002-T

EN 1097-2:2020: Tests for Mechanical and Physical Properties of Aggregates—Part 2: Methods for the Determination of Resistance to Fragmentation. London, UK: BSI, 2020.

M. F. Akhtar, A. Faraz, and A. Khitab, "Transforming concrete with steel slag: Exploring the pores’ dual effect for sustainable and high-performance urban construction," Discover Civil Engineering, vol. 2, no. 1, 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s44290-025-00243-7

J. M. Manso, J. A. Polanco, M. Losañez, and J. J. González, "Durability of concrete made with EAF slag as aggregate," Cement and Concrete Composites, vol. 28, no. 6, pp. 528–534, 2006. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cemconcomp.2006.02.008

C. Shi, "Steel slag—Its production, processing, characteristics, and cementitious properties," Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, vol. 16, no. 3, pp. 230–236, 2004. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0899-1561(2004)16:3(230)

R. Fatwa, N. Handayani, and A. Faradila, "Use of stone ash waste as a mixture in fine aggregate on compressive strength of concrete," Media Ilmu Teknik Sipil, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 167–175, 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33084/mits.v12i2.7427

N. M. Altwair, A. G. Abuzgaia, A. M. Alsharif, L. S. Sryh, S. E. A. Abdulsalam, and K. A. Swalem, "Assessing the Effects of Libyan Iron Slag on Self-Compacting Concrete Characteristics," Engineering, Technology & Applied Science Research, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 19589–19595, Feb. 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.48084/etasr.9337

A. Khan et al., "Effect of steel slag as fine aggregate on the mechanical and durability performance of concrete under acid exposure," Scientific Reports, vol. 15, no. 1, p. 40966, Nov. 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-24715-z

R. Irmawaty, M. A. Caronge, M. W. Tjaronge, M. A. Abdurrahman, and S. B. Ahmad, "Compressive strength and corrosion behavior of steel bars embedded in concrete produced with ferronickel slag aggregate and fly ash: An experimental study," Innovative Infrastructure Solutions, vol. 8, no. 7, pp. 1–15, 2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41062-023-01162-1

S. C. Gnanaraj, R. B. Chokkalingam, G. L. Thankam, and S. K. M. Pothinathan, "Durability properties of self-compacting concrete developed with fly ash and ultra-fine natural steatite powder," Journal of Materials Research and Technology, vol. 13, pp. 431–439, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2021.04.074

L. C. B. Costa et al., "Mechanical and durability performance of concretes produced with steel slag aggregate and mineral admixtures," Construction and Building Materials, vol. 318, 2022, Art. no. 126152. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.126152

H. J. Qureshi et al., "Utilization of steel slag in concrete: A review on durability and microstructure analysis," Reviews on Advanced Materials Science, vol. 64, no. 1, 2025, Art. no. 20250086. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/rams-2025-0086

Downloads

How to Cite

[1]
Adiwijaya, “Exploring the Potential of Iron Slag and Stone Ash as Aggregate Replacements for the Improvement of the Compressive Strength and Durability of Self-Compacting Concrete”, Eng. Technol. Appl. Sci. Res., vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 32550–32556, Feb. 2026.

Metrics

Abstract Views: 109
PDF Downloads: 76

Metrics Information