Use of Recycled Construction and Demolition Waste Materials in Soil Stabilization

Published on 16 Apr 2022. Written by Reddy Shekar

The increased waste in the construction industry causes a major problem for disposal operation. The waste materials from construction activities are heavy in weight and occupy more storage space. In India out of 48 million tones of solid waste generated, construction waste make up 25%. Concrete and masonry waste can be recycled by sorting, crushing and sieving into recycled aggregates. This recycled aggregates can be used to make concrete for road construction, soil stabilization, etc. The re-use of waste material is an important factor in point of sustainability.

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There is a huge demand for aggregates in housing and road sector, it results in a significant gap between demand and supply. The use of recycled construction and demolition waste (C&D waste) will reduce the demand rate of aggregates. Large size aggregates may use in the sub-base layers and in concrete. Small size aggregates can use in soil subgrade to increase the soil stabilization.

Soil stabilization is the process of improving strength and durability of soil. Stabilization can be achieved by mixing or blending soil with admixtures. There are different types of admixtures available like bitumen, fibers and C&D waste, etc... Among all types of admixtures, C&D waste is inexpensive and eco-friendly in nature.

Materials: Black cotton soil, Construction and Demolition waste (concrete aggregates)

Methodology:

1. Collection of construction and demolition waste like concrete aggregates
2. Determination of properties of concrete aggregates
3. Conduct tests on soil
4. Mixing or Blending
5. Analysis
6. Conclusion

Project Implementation:

1. Collect the segregated construction and demolition waste and find the initial properties.
2. Conduct the wet sieve analysis test on the soil to determine the void ratio of soil particles and also find the initial characteristics of soil.
3. Find the different combinations to achieve the best proportions.
4. Add the additives to the soil in the calculated proportion to improve the strength of the soil.
5. Find the properties of composite soil and compare those values with initial characteristics of soil to find the improved strength of soil.

Conclusion:

Soil stabilization will become inexpensive with the help of construction and demolition waste materials compared to other admixtures. Recycling of construction and demolition waste also the best solution for waste disposal problems.

Kit required to develop Use of Recycled Construction and Demolition Waste Materials in Soil Stabilization:

• Black cotton soil
• Recycled concrete aggregate

Technologies you will learn by working on Use of Recycled Construction and Demolition Waste Materials in Soil Stabilization:

• Construction Management
• Soil stabilization

Any Questions?