Analysis of the Effect of Temperature on the Resilient Modulus of Asphalt Concrete Mixed with Electric Arc Furnace Dust (EAFD)

This research aims at solving an environmental issue caused by the electric arc furnace dust (EAFD), a hazardous waste produced as a by-product of steel-making industry. The research proposes the use of EAFD in road construction, through mixing it with asphalt concrete mixture. As the resilient modulus is one of the key parameters in pavement design, it was chosen as indicator to evaluate the asphalt concrete mixture with EAFD. Experiments were conducted at 25, 40, and 55 °C using three different loading frequencies, 1, 4, and 8 Hz, so that the results can benefit as many countries as possible with different climate conditions. Five contents of EAFD (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 %) by volume of binder were studied. Results showed that the expected negative correlation between temperature and resilient modulus was not consistent. In particular, there was a higher response of resilient modulus for samples of asphalt concrete mixtures with more than 15 % of EAFD for temperature of 40 °C and loading frequency of 4 Hz as well as with more than 17 % of EAFD for temperatures of 40 and 55 °C and 8 Hz of loading frequency. Results also showed that the highest response of the resilient modulus was at 40 °C, both 4 and 8 Hz, and with percentages of EAFD higher than 15 %.