Sachin L. Desale,
Kunal K. Shirsath,
Ganesh V. Sabale,
Kiran N. Marathe,
- , Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Jawahar Education Society’s, Institute of Technology, Management and Research, Nashik, Maharashtra, India, ,
- , Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Jawahar Education Society’s, Institute of Technology, Management and Research, Nashik, Maharashtra, India, ,
- , Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Jawahar Education Society’s, Institute of Technology, Management and Research, Nashik, Maharashtra, India, ,
- , Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Jawahar Education Society’s, Institute of Technology, Management and Research, Nashik, Maharashtra, India, ,
Abstract
The increasing demand for infrastructure development on weak and compressible soils has necessitated the adoption of effective ground improvement techniques. At the same time, the rapid growth of the steel industry has resulted in the generation of huge quantities of steel slag, posing significant environmental and waste management issues. This paper focuses on the sustainable utilization of steel slag as a substitute material for granular columns in ground improvement applications. This paper involves an experimental investigation to evaluate the effectiveness of steel slag columns in enhancing the engineering properties of soft soils. The study also examined the influence of several factors, including the properties of column materials, column diameter, number of columns, and column arrangement, on the lateral load-carrying capacity of granular column–soil composite systems. To evaluate these effects, a series of large-scale direct shear tests was conducted under different normal stress conditions. These tests helped in understanding the behavior and strength characteristics of the composite system when subjected to lateral loading. Steel slag was selected as the column material because of its high strength, rough and angular particle shape, and excellent drainage properties, which are expected to enhance the engineering performance of weak soils. The findings of the study indicate that steel slag has strong potential as a substitute for conventional natural aggregates used in granular column applications. The use of steel slag in ground improvement techniques offers multiple benefits. In addition to improving soil strength and stability, it provides productive use for an industrial by-product that would otherwise require disposal. This helps reduce environmental impacts, minimizes the consumption of natural aggregate resources, and supports sustainable construction practices. Overall, the study highlights the role of steel slag in promoting environmentally responsible geotechnical engineering and contributing to the principles of a circular economy.
Keywords: Ground improvement, steel slag, shear strength, soil stabilization
[This article belongs to Journal of Geotechnical Engineering ]
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Journal of Geotechnical Engineering
| Volume | 13 | |
| Issue | 02 | |
| Received | 27/05/2026 | |
| Accepted | 18/06/2026 | |
| Published | 20/06/2026 | |
| Publication Time | 24 Days |