Use of Residues from the Metallurgical Industry in Construction

Abstract

The metallurgical industry produces a large amount of residues and wastes that can be successfully applied in building and construction. Key sectors, like iron and steel, aluminium, copper, zinc, lead, silicon and ferrosilicon, were analyzed, the residues identified, and potential applications described. The most important residue is metallurgical slag, which finds applications in cement making, admixture to mortar and concrete mixes, aggregate in concrete and asphalt and others. Bulky residues from aluminium and zinc hydrometallurgical processes, which take up a lot of land space to dispose, are more difficult to use, but several applications were also found.