Techniques of Soil Modification for Re-use in Construction

Abstract

Nowadays effort is made to study what effects may impact the environment and to address the issue of waste management. The majority of all waste produced is construction waste and demolition debris (approx. 65%). This category includes soil excavated during the construction of e.g. foundations or utility infrastructure. In most cases, this soil finds no use at the original construction site and is landfilled. The challenge is to find a useful purpose for this soil. In order to re-use soils in construction, they must be modified. Currently, there are several techniques of soil modification, most notably compaction and stabilisation. Stabilisation is usually achieved by the addition of binders (lime, cement). A lesser known technology of soil modification is fluidification by means of fluidifiers, plasticisers, or other admixtures. In the Czech Republic, this technology is currently not being used. Within the following contribution is described the testing of two types of soil in which was verify the possibility of liquefaction by using binders and additives. As optimal was appeared the use of 1.5% lime, 4% cement and 1% plasticiser SVC-1062. The binders soil effectively stabilized and the plasticiser positively influenced the rheological properties of the mixture.

Nowadays effort is made to study what effects may impact the environment and to address the issue of waste management. The majority of all waste produced is construction waste and demolition debris (approx. 65%). This category includes soil excavated during the construction of e.g. foundations or utility infrastructure. In most cases, this soil finds no use at the original construction site and is landfilled. The challenge is to find a useful purpose for this soil. In order to re-use soils in construction, they must be modified. Currently, there are several techniques of soil modification, most notably compaction and stabilisation. Stabilisation is usually achieved by the addition of binders (lime, cement). A lesser known technology of soil modification is fluidification by means of fluidifiers, plasticisers, or other admixtures. In the Czech Republic, this technology is currently not being used. Within the following contribution is described the testing of two types of soil in which was verify the possibility of liquefaction by using binders and additives. As optimal was appeared the use of 1.5% lime, 4% cement and 1% plasticiser SVC-1062. The binders soil effectively stabilized and the plasticiser positively influenced the rheological properties of the mixture.