Compression strength of wood chips mixed with steelmaking slag

This study examines the effects of different types of wood chips on the characteristics of the unconfined compression (UC) of geomaterials composed of wood chips and converter steelmaking slag. Three types of wood chips – coconut fibre, hinoki and larch – were used to form specimens through the compaction of a mixture of wood chips, steelmaking slag and blast-furnace fine slag powder at predetermined ratios. UC tests were conducted on the specimens after they had been cured for 7, 28 and 84 days. The following observations were made: (a) The characteristics of UC changed drastically with the shape and ratio of wood chips mixed with slag. (b) When the durations of curing were different, the mixing of wood chips had different effects on the mechanical properties of the composite material. (c) Even when the ratio of wood chips in the mixture was >33 vol.%, the UC strength increased due to curing regardless of their shapes. (d) The mixture of wood chips and slag had lower strength than slag only but became a tough geomaterial. Besides, its UC strength was lower than that of slag only but not significantly lower than that of ordinary geomaterials.