Effects of steel dust waste incorporation on the mechanical properties of concrete

Modernization, which encompasses population growth, urbanization, and economic expansion, has caused extensive environmental degradation and resource depletion. Riverbeds provide natural sand, which is a typical supply of fine aggregate used in concrete making. The removal of river sands has had negative effects on the ecosystem. Steel dust is a fine substance that may be used in place of fine aggregate principally because of its comparable particle sizes. This research investigates the impact of adding wasted steel dust on concrete’s mechanical behaviour by partially replacing sand in different percentages (0%, 3%, 6%, 9%, 12%, and 15%). The water-to-cement ratio of 0.45 was used in this study. Overall, 54 concrete samples were prepared, 18 cubes (150 mm × 150 mm × 150 mm) for the compressive strength test, 18 cylinders (100 mm diameter × 200 mm height) for tensile strength, and 18 prisms (100 mm depth × 100 mm width × 500 mm length). Then tests were made for all samples to observe the strength and crack behaviour of concrete. It was found that the workability of fresh concrete decreased while the density of hardened concrete increased with steel dust replacements. Also, adding steel dust to concrete generally increases strength. The optimum value was observed in concrete containing 9% steel dust in compressive and flexural strength. An optimum value is found in concrete containing 15% steel dust for tensile strength.