Technical Feasibility of Using Construction Waste (Sand Fraction) as Stabilizing Agent in Sinop City (Brazil) Soil

Abstract

The development of the civil construction industry generates major problems, such as the production of construction waste. This complication is aggravated mainly in municipalities where there is no management and disposal policy, as it is the case of Sinop, Mato Grosso (MT), Brazil. A possible solution to this environmental problem in that municipality is the application of ground waste to sand fraction as stabilizer in order to increase resistance of the regional subgrade. The latter is characterized as having a low-bearing soil capacity. Furthermore, this strategy may allow for soothing of other problems, such as granular material extraction from the environment. This paper sought answers to improve the low-bearing soil capacity in Sinop, which was granulometrically and mechanically stabilized by having natural soil mixed with two percentages of construction waste: 25% and 50%, with two compaction energies: normal and intermediate. Samples were subjected to tests for characterization and resistence. Results show relevant improvement in handling material characteristics. Natural soil, characterized as A-4 TRB, from bad to poor subgrade performance, and 12.2% CBR, with blend in three CBR cases as well as expansion, conformed to be sub-base material (CBR > 20%). Additionally, in one of the cases, it conformed to be base material (CBR > 60%). However, even though material with good resistance and bearing capacity was obtained, it was not possible to reach conclusions on its technical feasibility due to grain size not fitting ABNT NBR 15115 specification.