Abstract
Blast furnace slag (BFS) is an
alternative material used in various civil engineering functions, such as stabilization
of problematic soils, ready mixed concrete production, road and foundation
construction and fill material. In this study the geotechnical index properties
and shear strength behaviour of Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GBFS) were
determined for fine, medium and coarse grained samples at loose, medium and
dense densities. The sieve analysis was
performed and GBFS was divided in three sections; coarse (4.75 mm - 2 mm),
medium (2 – 0.425 mm) and fine grained (< 0.425 mm) samples. The
consolidated drained direct shear tests were conducted with saturated samples
at a shear rate of 0.20 mm/min. The test results have shown that GBFS had
comparatively higher specific gravity than usual soils (3.0 – 3.4). GBFS was
basic (pH >7) and non- plastic characteristic (NP). The maximum shear stress
of the samples was obtained at 5% - 10% axial deformation range. The internal
friction angle of fine, medium and coarse grained samples were with in the
range of 14° - 33°, 27° - 42° and 46° - 50°, respectively. The highest internal
friction angle for fine and medium grained samples were obtained for dense
samples. Increment of density affects the internal friction angles of
medium grained samples positively. However, no significant change in the
internal friction angle of the coarse grained samples was observed. The cohesion of GBFS samples ranged between 7 and 39 kPa.