Characterisation and treatment of tunnel boring muds for their valorisation in road construction

Author(s): A. Cabrerizo (1), D. Bulteel (1), J. Waligora (2), D. Bonneau (3) and F. Olard
Paper category: Proceedings
Book title: Proceedings of the International Conference on Sustainable Materials, Systems and Structures (SMSS2019) New Generation of Construction Materials
Editor(s): Marijana Serdar, Nina Štirmer, John Provis
ISBN: 978-2-35158-217-6,
Vol 1. ISBN: 978-2-35158-223-7
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-218-3
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2019
Pages: 76-83
Total Pages: 8
Language : English

Abstract: Projects involving tunnel boring machines (TBM) are becoming more significant, both for the creation of tunnels through mountains (Saint Gothard tunnel in Switzerland, Brenner tunnel between Austria and Italy or the Lyon-Turin line) and for the creation/optimization of metro lines (Cross rail in London, Grand Paris Express project, Hyderabad in India or Riyadh in Saudi Arabia).
Such projects lead to large amounts of excavated materials (soils or muds), characterized by variable intrinsic properties and pollutants. From both economical and environmental points of view, it is necessary to valorise them, in civil engineering and in road construction for example. However, this valuation is more or less complicated due to geographical and geological factors and it is often necessary to treat these materials with cements or hydraulic binders for improving their mechanical properties.
This research focuses on an excavated mud with high water content and weak mechanical properties. A full characterisation was undertaken using several analytical techniques. Some treatments were also performed with specific cements and hydraulic binders. Results showed that it is possible, under certain conditions, to increase mechanical properties of the studied mud, allowing its valorisation.

Online publication : 2019
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros) : 0.00