Abstract
Sustainable development principles aim to re-utilize wastes to reduce their impact on the environment. In this context, the present contribution shows preliminary results on the preparation of innovative synthetic lightweight aggregates, starting from biomass-derived fly ash and high-density polyethylene (HDPE), to be used in geotechnical applications. The present work focuses on the manufacturing process of aggregate blends (including the selection of the right proportions of the two components) as well as on the relative determination of (i) physical–chemical properties (i.e., chemical composition, morphological analysis, mineral leachability, water absorption, specific gravity, grain size distribution); (ii) permeability features and (iii) mechanical properties (one-dimensional compression and shear strength behavior). The results, gathered from the new synthetic lightweight aggregates and compared with the corresponding ones obtained in a previous study conducted on natural and synthetic lightweight aggregates, appear promising for a potential utilization in geotechnical engineering.
Highlights
A circular economy is considered a viable and efficient way to pursue a sustainable development
Commercial applications of the biomass ash are, at present, very limited if compared to fly ash derived from other sources, such as coal based thermal power stations (CFA). In this regard, a critical issue in fly ash utilization is represented by its chemical composition that can be very different if derived from biomass or coal
The main difference between these two classes is in the content of pozzolanic elements that is higher in class C than in class F
Summary
A circular economy is considered a viable and efficient way to pursue a sustainable development. The use of construction materials based on industrial by-products and recycled waste, with the ability to prevent the exhaustion of natural resources, is surely an example [1,2]. In this view, the biomass valorization [3,4], such as its use as a raw material for the production of energy, transport fuels, chemicals and others, is of particular interest. The reuse of high volumes of class F fly ash with low self-cementing properties in civil engineering applications, requires the development of alternative binding agents/stabilizers able to replace the traditional ones
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