Application of Copper Slag as Sand Substitute in SCP Pilot tests

SCP 현장시험시공을 통한 동슬래그의 모래대체재로서의 적용성 연구

Sand Compaction Pile(SCP) is a soil improvement method that a sand charge is introduced into the pipe, and the pipe is withdrawn part away while the sand pile is compacted and its diameter is enlarged. The sand used in this method should be of good quality. In Korea, crushed stone and washed sea sand are used frequently in SCP. However, use of these materials is restricted because of environmental problem and deficiency of supply. In the copper smelting process, about 0.7 million tons of copper slag are produced in Korea. The range of particle size distribution of copper slag is from 0.15mm to 5mm, so it can be a substitute for sand, and the relatively high specific gravity compared with the sand, is its characteristic. Copper slag is hyaline and so stable environmentally that in foreign country, such as Japan, Germany etc., it is widely used in harbor, revetment and offshore structure construction works. Therefore, in this study, the several laboratory tests were peformed to evaluate the applicability of copper slag as a substitute for sand of SCP. From the mechanical property test, the characteristics of sand and copper slag were compared and analyzed, and from laboratory model test, the strength of composite ground was compared and analyzed by monitoring the stress and ground settlement of clay, SCP and copper slag compaction pile. Specially, this study focused on the application of copper slag as sand substitute in SCP pilot tests based on laboratory tests results.