Abrasion evolution of steel furnace slag aggregate for railway ballast: 3D morphology analysis of scanned particles by close-range photogrammetry

Abstract

Electric Arc Furnace steel slag aggregate has potential for wider application in railway infrastructures. Nonetheless, its use in ballast layers, as an alternative to natural crushed rock, is often restricted, which is not consistent with the sustainable construction paradigm. To characterise the morphology and performance of this material, quantitative analyses were conducted on the abrasion and 3D morphology evolution of particles by micro-Deval testing. Slag particles showed higher angularity and surface texture indices than natural granite; retained these characteristics longer; and yielded comparable or lower surface wear. These findings support the potential use of slag aggregate as an alternative ballast material.