Assessing the Potential for Valorisation of a Pulp and Paper Industry Byproduct for the Construction of Unpaved Forest Roads: A Geotechnical Perspective

Abstract

Integration of sustainability into industry has encouraged practices of circular economy, reusing and recycling resources. This paper studies alternative solutions to materials traditionally used for unpaved roads, with a byproduct of the pulp and paper industry (not pre-treated), and analyses its valorisation potential from a geotechnical perspective. Two approaches were adopted: (1) assessment of geotechnical properties of base materials (aggregate, local soil and byproduct) and mixtures (aggregate/local soil and byproduct, 3% or 6%); (2) design of the base layer (case study), considering different solutions for the material forming that layer, assessing its height and life cycle. The small incorporation percentages studied changed the geotechnical properties of aggregate and local soil, reducing sensitivity to water and increasing the water content for optimum compaction. The CBR of mixtures reduced with the incorporation of the byproduct. For the case study, incorporation of byproduct (6% maximum) in the local soil did not significantly affect the base layer height. Total replacement with the byproduct is mechanically possible. For the fixed height of the base layer, incorporating the byproduct in traditional materials reduced the unpaved road life cycle, reflecting CBR reductions. From a geotechnical perspective, the valorisation of this byproduct is promising, and from an industry point of view, its use (geotechnical valorisation) represents a way to promote circular economy and sustainability.