Properties of non-conventional waste and geomaterials for reuse in excavation sites

Abstract

Reuse and recycling of waste material from excavation and mining/quarrying activities is a global issue that received significant attention in the last decades. The links among local geology, excavation methods, spoil treatment and strategies for recycle have been identified as unavoidable in terms of early physical, chemical and mechanical characterisation of spoils. The emergence of a range of industrial waste streams and the environmental, economic and technical considerations arising from their recycle and reuse still need a comprehensive technical and validated procedure for acceptance. This paper describes the screening tests and treatment options for material recycling in the framework of an original spoil classification system, also for specific applications, such as drainage layers, covering of dumps, rehabilitation of abandoned sites. The experience learnt by the Authors from the development of suitable methodologies for characterisation and management of spoil waste can be extended to other waste such as glass waste, gypsum, rockwool, glasswool, granulates, chipping particles, polymeric cuttings which show similarities with soils and geomaterials in terms of ‘bulk behaviour.