Abstract:
The increasing demand for the development and expansion of transport infrastructures
requires alternative solutions that are economically and environmentally viable to provide
the necessary raw materials. Transport infrastructures consume a large amount of natural
aggregates; however, from a circular economy perspective, industrial by-products can effec-
tively replace these materials. This avoids the environmental impacts associated with the ex-
traction of natural raw materials and simultaneously provides a destination for the industrial
by-products. For this purpose, it is important to evaluate if existing standards and technical
requirements that were developed for natural aggregates are suitable for industrial by-prod-
ucts. This review study is focused on slags from steelmaking process in electric arc furnaces,
which are generally of two types: oxidizing (black colored) and reducing (lighter colored), spe-
cifically addressing the requirements of these materials for the granular layers of transport
infrastructures. The chemical composition of the slags is analyzed as well as its physical
and mechanical characteristics, swelling behavior, and leachate content, discussing testing pro-
cedures and technical specifications.