Dynamic and Static Measurements of Small-Strain Moduli of Basic Oxygen Furnace Slag

Abstract

Steel slag is an industrial by-product generated during the steel and ironmaking processes. In recent years, it has been increasingly used as a sustainable resource due to its excellent mechanical properties. Steel slag serves as a viable substitute for conventional construction materials, contributing to both environmental impact reduction and improved seismic performance. BOF slag (basic oxygen furnace slag), one type of steel slag, resembles crushed stone or sand in appearance and physical characteristics, and is used in various civil engineering applications such as road base courses, general fill materials, and concrete aggregates. This research aims to evaluate the dynamic and static small-strain moduli of BOF slag through laboratory triaxial tests combined with elastic wave measurements. Dry triaxial tests were conducted under isotropic consolidation and drained shear conditions, during which both P- and S-wave velocities were measured to determine the elastic moduli. The results revealed that the dynamic modulus obtained from wave measurements was higher than the static modulus, indicating that BOF slag exhibits clear pressure-dependent stiffness and strong potential as a sustainable geomaterial.