Potential Reuse of Electric-Arc Furnace Dust (EAFD) in Concrete

This study investigated electric arc furnace dust (EAFD) reuse as a raw material in concrete mixes. A comprehensive experimental program consisting of two phases of testing was carried out. The first phase included the replacement of ordinary Portland (Type I) cement by unsieved dust with the percentages of 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10%. The second phase included the replacement of quartz (filler) by sieved dust with the percentages of 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10%. Leaching tests were carried out to find out if arsenic, chromium and lead were contained in concrete. The study concluded that the workability of fresh concrete increased with increasing the percentage of used dust. The use of 2.5% dust resulted in concrete with similar compressive strength and acceptable splitting strength when compared to that of the standard mix. The concrete mixes containing sieved and unsieved EAFD were able to contain arsenic and chromium. Additionally, the concrete mixes containing sieved EAFD were able to contain lead.