Evaluating the Performance of Lateritic Soil Stabilized with Cement and Biomass Bottom Ash for Use as Pavement Materials

Abstract

From the perspective of sustainable waste management and its environmental impact, waste biomass bottom ash (BA) remains problematic and challenging to use as a recycling material for civil engineering infrastructures. This study evaluated the performance of lateritic soil (LS), stabilized with cement and biomass BA, as a subbase material. BA has been considered a replacement material in LS prior to the introduction of hydraulic cement stabilization means. The geotechnical engineering tests comprised the modified Proctor test, the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) test, and the unconfined compression test. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) tests were conducted to investigate the mineralogical properties of the stabilized soil samples. The leachate test was performed with a permeability mold to measure the release of heavy metals. Finally, the benefits of using the stabilized subbase material were assessed using the mechanistic–empirical (M–E) pavement design approach. Based on the results obtained, the strength and stiffness characteristics of the stabilized soils indicate that the efficiency of the mix satisfied the Thailand highway specification. The admixture of 80% BA and 5% cement is suggested for use as a soil–cement subbase material for flexible pavements, due to its good engineering and environmental properties. The results of the M–E design demonstrate the effectiveness of the stabilized soil presented herein. The study’s outcomes are predicted to promote the utilization of waste BA as a promising pavement material.

Bitumen Stabilised Open Graded Base Materials

“…Meanwhile, the percentage of aggregates in each sample did influence the CBR values. A decrease was observed in the CBR value proportionate to the percentage of fine aggregates removed, as compared to control samples [25,26].…”

“…The optimal grading curve obtained in the preceding chapter indicated a welldesigned particle size distribution for a road base course material. This allows the particles to fill the voids created by the interparticle interaction of aggregates of larger sizes, resulting in a close packing ratio [25,26]. In contrast, the open-graded base course material used in this research study had to be free of aggregates with particle sizes between 1.18 and 2.0 millimeters to achieve a higher void ratio.…”

“…The comparison graph shows that the CBR test load required to pierce the sample decreased as the amount of fines removed increased, indicating a decrease in the packing ratio and maximum density friction, as mentioned in the previous section of the research review. Reducing the packing ratio enhances permeability [25][26][27].…”

“…For the batch of samples where particles smaller than 2mm had been eliminated, wet CBR values of 67.39%, 73.66%, and 78.09% were obtained for 2%, 2.5%, and 3% bitumen stabilization, respectively. The control sample, which was a complete mixture of aggregates supplied by the supplier, had a wet CBR value of 96.37% compared to the samples subjected to various amounts of bitumen stabilization [21,24,25].…”

Influence of Biomass-Modified Asphalt Binder on Rutting Resistance

“…The amount of heat and energy needed to produce 1 kg of dried biomass varies depending on the type of pyrolysis system but can be between 1.10 and 1.60 MJ/kg and 250-1,100°C, respectively [16]. In addition to vegetable and animal modifiers, bio-oils and biomass ash are extensively utilized materials for asphalt binder modification [17]. Previous studies have used different crops, plant waste, wood waste, and animal waste to modify asphalt binder and boost its rutting resistance [16].…”