Study on potential of soil stabilization using concrete sludge of batching plant (CSBP)

Abstract

More than 8 t of fresh concrete waste may be created and returned to the batching plants throughout Malaysia, where it will degrade into concrete sludge. Most batching plants will dump their concrete sludge on the ground or at a landfill which is not eco-friendly at all. Consequently, this study is to investigate the potential of concrete sludge of batching plant (CSBP) to be used as the stabilized material for organic soil which indirectly can help to recycle CSBP from end up at the landfill. The Atterberg limit test was conducted to identify the characteristic of soil used in this study. Four different percentages of CSBP were used which are 0, 5, 10 and 15%. Then, the standard Proctor test and California bearing ratio test were performed, and it shows that the CBR value remarkably increases from 4.8 to 20.7%, with the rise of CSBP percentages from 0 to 15%. The finding shows that CSBP can be used as the potential material to enhance the trend of strength value of CBR. Thus, using CSBP as a stabilized material for organic soil would alleviate the problem of overflowing landfills with concrete sludge and encourage a more sustainable approach in the construction industry.