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Platinum Slag as Fine Aggregate in Concrete for Coastal Applications
Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2026.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
2026
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| _version_ | 1867613798917996544 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Tshetlanyane, Palesa Anastasia |
| author2 | Babafemi, Adewumi John |
| author_browse | Babafemi, Adewumi John Tshetlanyane, Palesa Anastasia |
| author_facet | Babafemi, Adewumi John Tshetlanyane, Palesa Anastasia |
| author_sort | Tshetlanyane, Palesa Anastasia |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | Stellenbosch University |
| description | Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2026. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/135754 |
| institution | Stellenbosch University (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:41:52.972Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| publisher | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| publisherStr | Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository |
| spelling | oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/135754 Platinum Slag as Fine Aggregate in Concrete for Coastal Applications Tshetlanyane, Palesa Anastasia Babafemi, Adewumi John Ikotun, Bolanle Deborah Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Civil Engineering. Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2026. Tshetlanyane, P. A. 2026. Platinum Slag as Fine Aggregate in Concrete for Coastal Applications. Unpublished masters thesis. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University [online]. Available: https://scholar.sun.ac.za/items/2bf0a555-957d-4c28-98bf-bb1d116c6592 Accelerating global construction has intensified pressure on natural sand resources, with annual extraction estimated at approximately 50 billion tonnes. Extensive sand mining is linked to biodiversity loss, land degradation, and coastal erosion, impacts that are particularly acute in South Africa’s coastal regions, such as KwaZulu-Natal. Although industrial by-products, including copper, ferronickel, and steel slags, have been studied as fine aggregate replacements, platinum slag remains under-investigated. This study assesses platinum slag as a fine aggregate in concrete for coastal service conditions by evaluating fresh and hardened properties, durability under marine-relevant exposure, life cycle environmental impacts, and cost performance. The outcomes support sustainable aggregate sourcing and value-added utilisation of platinum-industry residues in coastal construction. The platinum slag aggregate was characterised through Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses. Fresh and mechanical properties were assessed through workability, compressive strength determination, splitting tensile strength evaluation and elastic modulus tests. Durability performance was measured through oxygen permeability, chloride conductivity and water sorptivity testing. Economic and environmental impacts were calculated through lifecycle and cost analyses. Platinum slag significantly improved workability compared to the control mix. At 28 days, all platinum slag mixtures achieved compressive strengths greater than 56 MPa (control: 65.6 MPa), with 10% platinum slag demonstrating optimal long-term retention of approximately 98% control strength at 90 days. Splitting tensile strength showed negligible differences, with 20% platinum slag achieving 1.5 MPa versus 1.6 MPa for the control. Due to platinum slag replacement, the elastic modulus decreased progressively from 39 GPa (control) to 25 GPa (30% platinum slag). Related to durability performance, 20% and 30% platinum slag mixes significantly outperformed the control in chloride conductivity, recording 0.59 mS/cm and 0.51 mS/cm, respectively, versus 0.75 mS/cm for the control. Lifecycle assessment revealed negligible increases in carbon emissions (0.11% to 0.34%) and water consumption increases of 2.6% to 3.9%. As a result of material cost savings, platinum slag incorporation resulted in progressive cost reductions up to 2.49% (30% replacement: R3361.28/m³ versus control: R3447.18/m³). These results indicate that platinum slag can effectively serve as a partial fine aggregate replacement, with optimal performance at 10-20% replacement levels. The findings suggest that platinum slag incorporation offers a novel approach addressing the dual challenges of sand scarcity and industrial waste management. This research demonstrates that platinum slag concrete can achieve suitable coastal performance whilst providing significant environmental and economic benefits. Platinum slag can be used as an environmentally conscious sand alternative with potential for coastal infrastructure projects. Future work should focus on long-term marine exposure assessment and optimisation of mix designs for specific coastal applications to further enhance performance and sustainability outcomes. Masters 2026-04-09T10:32:59Z 2026-04-09T10:32:59Z 2026-03 Thesis https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/135754 en Stellenbosch University 192 pages application/pdf Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University |
| spellingShingle | Tshetlanyane, Palesa Anastasia Platinum Slag as Fine Aggregate in Concrete for Coastal Applications |
| title | Platinum Slag as Fine Aggregate in Concrete for Coastal Applications |
| title_full | Platinum Slag as Fine Aggregate in Concrete for Coastal Applications |
| title_fullStr | Platinum Slag as Fine Aggregate in Concrete for Coastal Applications |
| title_full_unstemmed | Platinum Slag as Fine Aggregate in Concrete for Coastal Applications |
| title_short | Platinum Slag as Fine Aggregate in Concrete for Coastal Applications |
| title_sort | platinum slag as fine aggregate in concrete for coastal applications |
| url | https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/135754 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT tshetlanyanepalesaanastasia platinumslagasfineaggregateinconcreteforcoastalapplications |