Mechanical Properties of Ecological Concrete Made with Steel Slag and Seashells: A Systematic Literature Review

Andrés Huamani-Sánchez S.; Gustavo Salcedo-Apaza H.; José Márquez G. · Proceedings of the LACCEI international Multi-conference for Engineering, Education and Technology (2025) · DOI: 10.18687/laccei2025.1.1.1399

Resumen

Concrete is an essential material in construction worldwide; however, its production entails a significant carbon footprint. A viable strategy to mitigate this environmental impact is the development of sustainable concretes through the partial replacement of cement or aggregates with natural waste or industrial by-products. This Systematic Literature Review analyzes the effect of steel slag and seashells on the mechanical properties of concrete incorporating these residues. The literature search, based on the PICO methodology, was conducted in the Scopus, EBSCOhost, and Scilit databases, identifying 2,384 sources. After applying the eligibility criteria in accordance with the PRISMA statement, 62 relevant articles were selected. The results indicate that steel slag is mainly used in ultra-high performance concretes, while seashells are more frequently applied in cellular concretes. Both residues proved effective in improving mechanical properties. Compressive strength ranged from 24.8 MPa to 206.9 MPa, with the highest value achieved by replacing 100% of the fine aggregate with steel slag. A tensile strength of up to 10.5 MPa was also reported in mixtures with slag as fine aggregate. Seashells significantly contributed to improving concrete strength and durability, in addition to reducing cracking. In conclusion, although the benefits of steel slag in eco-friendly concretes are well documented, further research is needed to explore the potential of seashells and the development of combined formulations that harness possible synergistic effects in sustainable concrete production.

Instituciones: Universidad Tecnológica del Perú