Strength and deformation behaviour of zinc tailing waste material for embankment construction

Abstract

Abstract At present, significant efforts are being made to expand the road network as a result there is a scarcity of locally available material. Conversely, zinc tailing is abundantly available as a waste which is produced during extraction of zinc metal from its ore. Literature indicates that it meets the standard specifications for the construction of embankment and structural fill application. No study has been found regarding the structure interaction between tailing and geogrid to improve the modulus of elasticity of embankment and structural fill. Considering this, a research programme has been conducted to examine the strength and deformation behaviour of tailing with or without geogrid reinforcement by laboratory physical model. Plate load tests were used to compare the modulus of elasticity of reinforced and unreinforced tailing. Tailing was observed that it is a silt size, non-plastic, low compressible, permeable and cohesionless material with high value of shear strength parameter (Φ). It was observed that single layer reinforced fill has more modulus of elasticity than unreinforced tailing fill. About 46 % reduction in settlement was observed which indicates that modulus of elasticity will increase about 83 % if two layers of geogrid reinforcement will be used in comparison to without geogrid. It was concluded that tailing can be used in the construction of embankment as well as structural fill.