Synergistic mechanism of steel slag sand and bentonite slurry on compressive strength of foamed concrete
BAI Yunze
FENG Yongguang
XIANG Guosheng
SHAO Feiyang
Abstract：This study prepared foam concrete by partially replacing cement with steel slag sand and incorporating bentonite slurry.The mechanisms through which these components affect the compressive strength were elucidated via compressive strength tests and SEM analysis.The results indicated that an appropriate amount of steel slag sand promotes the formation of hydration products,improves slurry fluidity and foam distribution,while the unhydrated steel slag acts as a skeletal support,collectively en-hancing the strength.Bentonite slurry increases strength by adsorbing free water and filling microcracks,thereby densifying the pore structure.Under synergistic interaction,the hydration products from steel slag and the bentonite exhibited a complementary filling effect,significantly reducing porosity.The enhancement in compressive strength was greater in this synergistic system than in sys-tems containing only steel slag or bentonite.However,excessive steel slag sand inhibits hydration and increases structural hetero-geneity,while excessive bentonite slurry raises free water content,leading to pore coarsening,structural loosening,and agglomeration,both of which degrade mechanical properties.Based on the trends in compressive strength,the optimal mix proportion was deter-mined as a 10%replacement rate of steel slag and a 5%dosage of bentonite slurry.
Keywords：steel slagfoam concreteSEMcompressive strength
Publication Date：2026-02-25
Online Publishing Date：2026-03-25(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：6( 126-131 )