Stabilized municipal solid waste as an alternative to natural sand in paver block construction

Abstract

A large amount of stabilized municipal solid waste (SMSW) obtained in landfill mining operations constitutes about 60–70% of total mining waste. In this study, attempts were made to use SMSW in paver block construction, a unique solution for unpaved urban surfaces considering its ease of handling and low cost. The mechanical and durability properties of the paver block, along with microstructure and mineralogical analysis, were investigated in which various dosages of SMSW vary from 10–50% by the weight of natural sand. The results of various tests, i.e., compressive, flexural strength, abrasion resistance, water absorption, and analysis of microstructure and mineralogical, revealed that SMSW as a partial replacement of natural sand up to 30% replacement could be satisfactorily used in the paver block construction, especially in the low volume roads. Also, the replacements, 40% and 50%, can be used for footpaths, cycle paths, garden parks, domestic drives, and embankment slopes. The geometrical properties and visual aspects were checked to confirm the production standardization of the paver blocks. All the samples have shown promising results in respect of all dimensions. The statistical analysis exhibited that the SMSW had a significant effect on the compressive and flexural strength of the paver block. Therefore, incorporating SMSW as a natural sand replacement will be a sustainable and economical construction solution for light-traffic roads. It also promotes a ‘Circular economy’ as it recycles the stabilized municipal solid waste.