One of the main challenges of the metallurgical industry is the management of the principal waste generated in the production of castings, which is the waste foundry sand (WFS). Potential solutions include the use of WFS in civil construction due to its mineral origin and the high volume available to meet possible demand. This study analyzed the influence of WFS on the mechanical and hydraulic properties of pervious concrete paving blocks. The experimental stage involved mixtures with 0% (reference) and 100% replacement of quartz sand (QS) by WFS, in concrete with consumption of 350 kg/m3 and 450 kg/m3 of Portland cement. Cylindrical specimens, pavers, and pervious concrete slabs were submitted to water absorption, compressive strength, and determination of the permeability coefficient (k) tests. Analysis for physicochemical characterization of leachate samples of the studied concretes was also carried out. After the statistical analysis of the results, it was possible to conclude that the WFS did not change the mechanical (Rc; Rt) and hydraulic (k; absorption) properties of pervious concrete mixes (WFS1; WFS2) when compared to the reference mixes (QS1; QS2). The changes in the results of the physicochemical parameters are related to the higher consumption of Portland cement from mix 2, increasing hardness, total solids, and alkalinity.

In this study the electric arc furnace slag was used as coarse natural aggregate substitute in concrete paving blocks production. The concrete mixture was defined by using weight proportions in the ratio of 1:2:3:0.51 (cement:sand:coarse aggregate:water) in order to obtain a compressive strength of 35 MPa. Four groups of concrete were prepared: a reference recipe and three others with the slag replacing the natural aggregate in the proportions of 25%, 50% and 75%. The compressive strength was not influenced by the slag content; however, it was influenced by the curing age, as the sample with 75% of slag addition had its compressive strength increased by 13.5% from 7 to 56 days. Water absorption presented a slightly reduction with slag addition. The results of compressive strength and water absorption met the Brazilian technical requirements, making the paving blocks suitable for use in light vehicle traffic. The results obtained in this study highlight the influence of the production process in the final quality of the steel slag, and the need of stablishing technical and environmental requirements to guide and promote the safe use of electric arc furnace slag in concrete.

Ladle Furnace Slag (LFS) is a solid waste from steel production that can be used in civil construction due to its high content of calcium oxides (> 50% CaO), contributing to the sustainability of both industries. Seeking to study its function as a supplementary cementitious material, the objective of this work was to determine the properties of coating mortars with the replacement of Portland Cement (PC) by 30% LFS combined with the pozzolanic effect of Rice Husk Ash (RHA). Prismatic specimens were produced in a 1:6 mixture proportion (PC:sand) and subjected to mechanical tests and determination of the dynamic modulus of elasticity. The results indicated that the replacement provided a reduction in mechanical strength, however the presence of LFS+RHA was beneficial to improve water retention. These changes were caused by the bigger surface area of RHA grains and the higher CaO content, in relation to the reference mixture.