Geotechnical Performance of Recycled Glass-Waste Rock Blends in Footpath Bases
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 25, Issue 5
Abstract
Laboratory and field experiments were undertaken to investigate the possible application of recycled crushed glass blended with crushed basaltic waste rock as a footpath base material. The laboratory experimental program included basic and specialized geotechnical tests including particle size distribution, modified Proctor compaction, particle density, water absorption, California bearing ratio (CBR), Los Angeles abrasion, pH, organic content, and triaxial shear tests. A field demonstration footpath comprising two sections of recycled glass-waste rock blends with 15% and 30% recycled glass content and a third control section with only waste rock was subsequently constructed on the basis of the outcomes of the initial laboratory tests. Subsequently field tests with a nuclear density gauge and Clegg impact hammer were undertaken, as well as laboratory testing of field samples to assess the geotechnical performance of the trial sections. The field and laboratory test results indicated that adding crushed glass may improve the workability of the crushed waste rock base material but subsequently results in lower shear strength. The blend with 15% glass content was found to be the optimum blend, in which the material presented good workability and also had sufficiently high base strength. Higher recycled glass content (30%) resulted in borderline, though still satisfactory, performance. The research findings indicate that recycled crushed glass in blends with crushed waste rock is a potential alternative material to be used in footpath bases. A separate study is recommended to evaluate the environmental risks associated with the usage of these recycled materials.
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Acknowledgments
The authors wish to thank the Municipal Association of Victoria, Sustainability Victoria, Manningham City Council, and the Packaging Stewardship Forum of the Australian Food and Grocery Council for funding this research project. The authors also wish to thank Alex Fraser Group Pty. Ltd. for providing recycled aggregate samples for this research project. The views expressed in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of other parties.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 25 • Issue 5 • May 2013
Pages: 653 - 661
Copyright
© 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Nov 4, 2011
Accepted: Jun 13, 2012
Published online: Aug 25, 2012
Published in print: May 1, 2013
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