Reuse of Untreated Fine Sediments as Filler: Is It More Beneficial than Incorporating Them as Sand?

Abstract

Large amounts of sediments are dredged each year to ensure navigation. These materials, classified as waste, seem to be promising alternatives to conventional construction materials. Dredging operations, carried out by the Territorial Directorate of the Seine Basin (DTBS), generate an annual volume of sediments of about 150,000 m3, of which nearly 50% are fine sediments (<80 μm). For these fine sediments, it is necessary to look for possible ways of valorisation, knowing that the coarse sediments, sands and gravels are already easily reused in concrete. The valorisation of fine sediments, such as concrete with 30% sand, has already been evaluated. However, it was found to significantly affect concrete performance; it extends setting time from 3 to 18 h, decreases compressive strength by an average of 50% and increases shrinkage deformation up to 200%. This paper seeks to evaluate the effects of ten different fine sediments, used as substitutes for 10% of cement by volume, on physico-chemical and mechanical properties. The experimental results show that fine sediments marginally affect concrete properties. The main peak of the released heat flux is delayed to less than 4 h, the compressive strength is decreased by 8% on average and the increase in shrinkage deformation does not exceed 17%, except for in two fine sediments. This incorporation method also has an environmental advantage over substituting 30% of concrete with sand, as it reduces CO2 emissions by almost 10% (instead of 0.2%).