Development and performance evaluation of alternative road construction material using clay and recycled concrete debris

Abstract The use of clay soils in road construction showed various limitations including swelling potential, which adversely affect the stability and durability of road structures. It is thus fitting that this study intended to use a mixture of clay and recycled concrete debris as a sustainable alte...

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Main Authors: Noureddine Ouslimane, Jaouad Bensalah, Hanane Barebita, Mohamed Ebntouhami, Youssouf Ali Younous, Mohammad K. Okla, Samir Ibenmoussa, Fouad Dimane, Mustapha Belfaquir
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-03-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-89708-4
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author Noureddine Ouslimane
Jaouad Bensalah
Hanane Barebita
Mohamed Ebntouhami
Youssouf Ali Younous
Mohammad K. Okla
Samir Ibenmoussa
Fouad Dimane
Mustapha Belfaquir
author_facet Noureddine Ouslimane
Jaouad Bensalah
Hanane Barebita
Mohamed Ebntouhami
Youssouf Ali Younous
Mohammad K. Okla
Samir Ibenmoussa
Fouad Dimane
Mustapha Belfaquir
author_sort Noureddine Ouslimane
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The use of clay soils in road construction showed various limitations including swelling potential, which adversely affect the stability and durability of road structures. It is thus fitting that this study intended to use a mixture of clay and recycled concrete debris as a sustainable alternative for road construction. Various characterization tests were carried out, including Proctor compaction tests, CBR bearing capacity and odometer tests, as well as X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy analyses to study the mineralogical composition of the samples. The results showed that the addition of 25% of recycled concrete debris improves the density, compaction capacity and strength of the treated soils. The CBR bearing capacity increased from 4.5 to 40% after saturation, while odometer tests revealed potent stability and low deformation under load. The incorporation of concrete debris also reduced swelling indices, resulting in better soil performance. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of recycling concrete debris to reinforce soils used in road construction, offering a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution for road construction.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2045-2322
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series Scientific Reports
spelling doaj-art-8c0fb8a3ad6a43e2a5b99bfb3970b1c82025-08-20T03:41:49ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-03-0115111510.1038/s41598-025-89708-4Development and performance evaluation of alternative road construction material using clay and recycled concrete debrisNoureddine Ouslimane0Jaouad Bensalah1Hanane Barebita2Mohamed Ebntouhami3Youssouf Ali Younous4Mohammad K. Okla5Samir Ibenmoussa6Fouad Dimane7Mustapha Belfaquir8Advanced Materials and Process Engineering Laboratory, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Ibn Tofail UniversityAdvanced Materials and Process Engineering Laboratory (LMAGP), Department, Faculty of Science, Ibn Tofail UniversityBuilding and Public Works Testing and Design Laboratory, TEST-BUILDINGAdvanced Materials and Process Engineering Laboratory (LMAGP), Department, Faculty of Science, Ibn Tofail UniversityEvangelical CollegeBotany and Microbiology Department, College of Science, King Saud UniversityLaboratory of Therapeutic and Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of MontpellierNational School of Applied Sciences of Al-Hoceima, Department of Energy and Environmental Civil Engineering / Engineering Sciences and Applications Laboratory / Abdelmalek Essaadi UniversityAdvanced Materials and Process Engineering Laboratory, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Ibn Tofail UniversityAbstract The use of clay soils in road construction showed various limitations including swelling potential, which adversely affect the stability and durability of road structures. It is thus fitting that this study intended to use a mixture of clay and recycled concrete debris as a sustainable alternative for road construction. Various characterization tests were carried out, including Proctor compaction tests, CBR bearing capacity and odometer tests, as well as X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy analyses to study the mineralogical composition of the samples. The results showed that the addition of 25% of recycled concrete debris improves the density, compaction capacity and strength of the treated soils. The CBR bearing capacity increased from 4.5 to 40% after saturation, while odometer tests revealed potent stability and low deformation under load. The incorporation of concrete debris also reduced swelling indices, resulting in better soil performance. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of recycling concrete debris to reinforce soils used in road construction, offering a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution for road construction.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-89708-4ClayConcrete wasteRecycled concrete debrisRecyclingEnvironmentRoad construction
spellingShingle Noureddine Ouslimane
Jaouad Bensalah
Hanane Barebita
Mohamed Ebntouhami
Youssouf Ali Younous
Mohammad K. Okla
Samir Ibenmoussa
Fouad Dimane
Mustapha Belfaquir
Development and performance evaluation of alternative road construction material using clay and recycled concrete debris
Scientific Reports
Clay
Concrete waste
Recycled concrete debris
Recycling
Environment
Road construction
title Development and performance evaluation of alternative road construction material using clay and recycled concrete debris
title_full Development and performance evaluation of alternative road construction material using clay and recycled concrete debris
title_fullStr Development and performance evaluation of alternative road construction material using clay and recycled concrete debris
title_full_unstemmed Development and performance evaluation of alternative road construction material using clay and recycled concrete debris
title_short Development and performance evaluation of alternative road construction material using clay and recycled concrete debris
title_sort development and performance evaluation of alternative road construction material using clay and recycled concrete debris
topic Clay
Concrete waste
Recycled concrete debris
Recycling
Environment
Road construction
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-89708-4
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