Evaluating performance of steel slag in eco-friendly building block Available to Purchase

Traditional burnt clay bricks substantially contribute to the world's most significant environmental problems, including climate change, emissions of greenhouse gases, the depletion of fossil fuels, and the release of hazardous substances. Therefore, it is necessary to explore alternative approaches that would adequately help to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study aims to evaluate the mechanical and environmental properties along with the economic benefits of a machine-made non-fired pressurised hollow block made of cement, sand, and slag (CSS) incorporating induction furnace slag (IFS), which is an industrial waste. The prepared CSS blocks have been demonstrated to have a maximum compressive strength of 10 MPa. The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the produced CSS block and conventional clay bricks was carried out in seven environmental impact categories. The environmental performance of CSS block was found to be 2-3 times better than that of conventional bricks in all environmental impact categories. The economic comparison found that the CSS blocks could save approximately 50% more material cost than burnt clay bricks. Despite relatively lower compressive strength, the hollow CSS blocks' have promising environmental and economic outcomes. Therefore, the industrial waste incorporated CSS block has a huge potential to be used as a non-load-bearing or load-bearing unit in limited settings.