Use of electric arc furnace slag (EAFS) in construction - state of the art

The increase in the world population has resulted in the growth of the construction industry. This involves the exploitation of non-renewable natural resources and therefore a greater environmental impact by pollution of soil, water, and air. Thus, sustainable development has become a priority in the industry, with the objective of incorporating waste into the production chain The methods for producing steel are the blast furnace (iron mining) and the electric arc furnace (recycled metal scrap). In the latter, the most widely used process in Colombia, the electric arc furnace slag (EAFS) is formed. This waste represents an opportunity for use in construction. Several investigations have studied the use of this material as an aggregate and as a cement raw material. In addition, its use as a substitute for granular material in the construction of embankments, bases, sub-bases and rolling layers, the greatest application of slag are the pavements. This work aims to carry out an updated review of the state of the art on the use of EAFS in construction to promote the correct and safe implementation of this waste and contribute to the sustainability of the steel industry.