Strength and Compressibility of Ammonia-Soda Residue from the Solvay Sodium Plant

Abstract

This work presents the discussion of the results for an experimental study conducted to characterise the mechanical behaviour of ammonia-soda residue (ASR). The calcareous sludge is an alkaline waste formed during the production of soda ash and deposited at the area of the former Solvay Sodium Plant factory in Krakow, Poland. Isotropically consolidation drained (CID) triaxial tests and constant rate of strain (CRS) consolidation tests include the full saturation with water, completion of the consolidation, and the loading/strain rate choice. For this purpose, ASR undisturbed samples were collected from the ground and submitted to laboratory experiments. These samples show a distinct difference in the initial bulk density, the initial level of compaction, initial void ratio, and the natural water content. The CD triaxial tests were conducted under three different levels of confining pressure; in turn, CRS tests were run with two appropriate input strain rates. According to the physical state of ASR and the depth of sampling, two different evolutions of the critical state in the stress–strain space were observed. In the light of the assessed stress–strain–strength behaviour, key design engineering parameters of ASR were calculated.