Thermo-mechanical stability of concrete containing steel slag as aggregate after high temperature thermal cycles

Thermal energy storage represents a crucial element to increase solar power dispatchability. Within sensible heat in solid media, concrete is considered low-cost alternative be further developed and therefore, this has been addressed paper. Four dosages were designed, combining each type of cement, ordinary Portland calcium aluminate with aggregate, silico-calcareous steel slag. Thermo-mechanical properties studied before after 10 thermal cycles from 290 °C 700 °C. Maximum operating temperature heating rates selected accordingly the targeted application, concentrating (CSP) tower plant. At macro-level, results show cycle stability slag aggregate both cement types. On contrary, at micro-level, petrography analysis shows lack bonding between paste. In contrast, mixtures containing aggregates collapse cycling.