Utilization of Solid Waste Derivative Materials in Soft Soils Re-engineering

Abstract

Environmental degradation resulting from CO₂ emission and the constant collapse of foundation of facilities more especially pavements in Nigeria and across the world has posed serious threat to the overall economic growth of the developing nations. More so, Nigeria and the developing world lack an efficient solid waste disposal mechanism and policies hence indiscriminate disposal of waste on landfills poses yet another threat. The water resources in the developing countries is fast threatened by lack of engineered waste disposal facilities in different locations resulting to water pollution and its unhealthy consequences. This review work has brought to bear the interrelations between these problems. Geotechnical engineering in this paper promises to serve as a locus to bring these threatening environmental conditions into workable and beneficial stream. First, this paper tries to outline selected solid waste materials from which geomaterials utilized in the stabilization of soft soils, concrete production and asphalt modification are derived, by direct combustion or crushing. Secondly, the utilization of these derivatives, which serve as alternative cement in stabilization of soft soils, partial replacement for Portland cement in concrete production and modifier in asphalt production presents construction successes devoid of CO₂ emission because these materials are eco-friendly. Lastly, by adapting the use of these materials in soft soil, concrete and asphalt strength improvement, the solid wastes find a disposal path through the recycling process and eventual utilization as geomaterials, concrete additives and asphalt modification materials sources. Research results have shown that these materials derived from solid waste, because of their high aluminosilicate content, improve the mechanical and strength properties of soils, concrete and asphalt.