Effect of sandstone slurry waste on the geotechnical properties of clay subgrade

Abstract

Sustainability in clayey soil subgrade stabilization has become an emerging topic worldwide. The voluminous generation of sandstone slurry waste from the sandstone cutting and processing industries endangers the environment and human health. The present research investigated how such geotechnical characteristics of the clay soil subgrade were impacted by the addition of sandstone slurry waste (SSW) produced during the cutting and processing of sandstone. Sandstone slurry waste was dried for this experimental analysis and added to the clayey soil. Sandstone slurry waste was added in proportion from 0% to 35% (by dry weight) at intervals of 5% in clay soil, and mixtures were assessed based on how well their geotechnical properties have been improved. Atterberg's limits, compaction, and California bearing ratio (CBR) tests were conducted on the untreated clay and SSW-clay composites to evaluate the soil subgrade's physical properties and strength parameters. The experimental results revealed that incorporating 25% sandstone slurry waste by dry weight in clayey soil improves the maximum dry unit weight (MDUW), workability, and strength of clayey soil. The result of the CBR test showed that the CBR values of subgrade material enhanced with the addition of SSW. The improvement in treated composites was 69.79% and 68.27% for soaked and unsoaked conditions, respectively, at 25% SSW dose. The present experimental study shows that SSW-clay composite containing 25% SSW can treat the clayey soil subgrade.