• Journal of the Korean Geotechnical Society
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.195-207
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• 2002

The domestic, quantity of copper slag as a by-product at copper smelting process reaches 700,000 tons annually while its application is limited. Therefore, the secure disposal plan of copper slag is urgently required. For this reason, in this study, copper slag was used as a substitute for sand in Sand Compaction Pile that is one of the improvement methods of soft ground because the particle size distribution of copper slag ranges from 0.15mm to 5m(coarse state) and it maintains stable glassy state environmentally. The geotechnical characteristics of copper slag were evaluated through laboratory model tests and the field application of copper slag was compared with generally used sand by pilot tests. From these experimental results, copper slag's material characteristics, bearing capacity, settlement reduction and improvement effects of surrounding ground were found to be superior to generally used sand. The copper slag can be used as a substitute far sand in the Sand Compaction Pile method and as recycling material of industrial by-product with high econonical and environmental value when natural resources are being exhausted.