Sustainable road construction materials incorporating dam sediment and eucalyptus ash waste: A circular economy framework

This study explores the innovative use of dam sediments stabilized with eucalyptus wood ash (EA) and cement as sustainable materials for road construction, advancing waste utilization in infrastructure development. The novelty lies in the optimization of EA, a biomass waste with pozzolanic propertie...

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Main Authors: Nunthanis Wongvatana, Asarut Noorak, Hatairat Poorahong, Pornkasem Jongpradist, Susit Chaiprakaikeow, Pitthaya Jamsawang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-07-01
Series:Case Studies in Construction Materials
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509524012701
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author Nunthanis Wongvatana
Asarut Noorak
Hatairat Poorahong
Pornkasem Jongpradist
Susit Chaiprakaikeow
Pitthaya Jamsawang
author_facet Nunthanis Wongvatana
Asarut Noorak
Hatairat Poorahong
Pornkasem Jongpradist
Susit Chaiprakaikeow
Pitthaya Jamsawang
author_sort Nunthanis Wongvatana
collection DOAJ
description This study explores the innovative use of dam sediments stabilized with eucalyptus wood ash (EA) and cement as sustainable materials for road construction, advancing waste utilization in infrastructure development. The novelty lies in the optimization of EA, a biomass waste with pozzolanic properties, as a stabilizer, providing a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to traditional methods. Destructive tests demonstrated that the optimal mixture containing 10 % EA and cement achieved an unconfined compressive strength of 7.7 MPa after 28 days, marking a 770 % improvement over untreated sediments. California bearing ratio tests yielded a peak value of 55 %, surpassing subbase material standards. Nondestructive tests using free-free resonance revealed strong correlations between compressive strength and wave velocities, with shear and compressional wave velocities reaching 600 and 990 m/s, respectively. Microstructural analyses showed significant formation of calcium silicate hydrate, with a 30 % increase in content, enhancing interparticle bonding and sediment densification. This study also introduces a novel framework for cost analysis, revealing a 6.6-fold reduction in construction costs due to the local availability of stabilized sediments. Furthermore, leaching tests confirmed the environmental safety of the materials, highlighting their potential as a green and economically viable solution for road construction. These findings underscore the innovative integration of waste materials into high-performance construction applications, advancing the principles of circular economy and sustainability.
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spelling doaj-art-1e08f5cc505c4b1f9c1f9fb9418198612025-08-20T02:49:41ZengElsevierCase Studies in Construction Materials2214-50952025-07-0122e0411810.1016/j.cscm.2024.e04118Sustainable road construction materials incorporating dam sediment and eucalyptus ash waste: A circular economy frameworkNunthanis Wongvatana0Asarut Noorak1Hatairat Poorahong2Pornkasem Jongpradist3Susit Chaiprakaikeow4Pitthaya Jamsawang5Department of Civil Engineering, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok, Bangkok 10800, ThailandDepartment of Civil Engineering, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok, Bangkok, ThailandDepartment of Civil Engineering, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok, Bangkok 10800, ThailandDepartment of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok 10140, ThailandDepartment of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, ThailandSoil Engineering Research Center, Department of Civil Engineering, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok, Bangkok 10800, Thailand; Corresponding author.This study explores the innovative use of dam sediments stabilized with eucalyptus wood ash (EA) and cement as sustainable materials for road construction, advancing waste utilization in infrastructure development. The novelty lies in the optimization of EA, a biomass waste with pozzolanic properties, as a stabilizer, providing a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to traditional methods. Destructive tests demonstrated that the optimal mixture containing 10 % EA and cement achieved an unconfined compressive strength of 7.7 MPa after 28 days, marking a 770 % improvement over untreated sediments. California bearing ratio tests yielded a peak value of 55 %, surpassing subbase material standards. Nondestructive tests using free-free resonance revealed strong correlations between compressive strength and wave velocities, with shear and compressional wave velocities reaching 600 and 990 m/s, respectively. Microstructural analyses showed significant formation of calcium silicate hydrate, with a 30 % increase in content, enhancing interparticle bonding and sediment densification. This study also introduces a novel framework for cost analysis, revealing a 6.6-fold reduction in construction costs due to the local availability of stabilized sediments. Furthermore, leaching tests confirmed the environmental safety of the materials, highlighting their potential as a green and economically viable solution for road construction. These findings underscore the innovative integration of waste materials into high-performance construction applications, advancing the principles of circular economy and sustainability.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509524012701Mechanical propertiesNondestructive testingStabilizationSustainabilityWaste valorization
spellingShingle Nunthanis Wongvatana
Asarut Noorak
Hatairat Poorahong
Pornkasem Jongpradist
Susit Chaiprakaikeow
Pitthaya Jamsawang
Sustainable road construction materials incorporating dam sediment and eucalyptus ash waste: A circular economy framework
Case Studies in Construction Materials
Mechanical properties
Nondestructive testing
Stabilization
Sustainability
Waste valorization
title Sustainable road construction materials incorporating dam sediment and eucalyptus ash waste: A circular economy framework
title_full Sustainable road construction materials incorporating dam sediment and eucalyptus ash waste: A circular economy framework
title_fullStr Sustainable road construction materials incorporating dam sediment and eucalyptus ash waste: A circular economy framework
title_full_unstemmed Sustainable road construction materials incorporating dam sediment and eucalyptus ash waste: A circular economy framework
title_short Sustainable road construction materials incorporating dam sediment and eucalyptus ash waste: A circular economy framework
title_sort sustainable road construction materials incorporating dam sediment and eucalyptus ash waste a circular economy framework
topic Mechanical properties
Nondestructive testing
Stabilization
Sustainability
Waste valorization
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214509524012701
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AT susitchaiprakaikeow sustainableroadconstructionmaterialsincorporatingdamsedimentandeucalyptusashwasteacirculareconomyframework
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