Bio-cementation practice on electric-arc steel slag and comparison with natural sand

In construction projects in Khuzestan province in Iran, electric-arc steel slag (EASS) materials are used as fill materials. In this research study, bio-cementation practice on EASS materials is examined and compared with that on natural sand. For this purpose, direct shear, unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and constant head permeability tests, together with scanning electron microscopy images obtained using an instrument equipped with an energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscope, were used to analyse and compare untreated and treated materials. The results showed that despite higher urease activity and higher calcite production of EASS materials compared with natural sand, the latter showed slightly higher UCS, higher cohesion intercept enhancement and higher permeability decrease after bio-cementation treatment.