Reuse of Waste Materials in Geotechnical Practice

Abstract

Waste material is an inevitable outcome of most human and industrial activities, lacking enduring value. A significant amount of waste is being generated from various sources such as industrial and domestic activities, driven by population growth and economic expansion. To address these challenges, methods like re-use and recycling are crucial in mitigating the adverse impacts of waste by reducing landfill deposition. Recycling not only helps in conserving natural resources but also diminishes energy consumption. Recently, there has been increasing interest in re-using waste materials as substitutes in geotechnical and geo-environmental applications. For the efficient utilization of waste, it is essential to systematically understand its characterization, various technical aspects, and environmental implications, along with their interrelationships. This study aims to explore the potential of using different by-products and waste materials such as fly ash, shredded waste tires, and recycled concrete aggregates as geomaterials. By doing so, it endeavours to contribute to sustainable practices in geotechnical engineering. Overall, the re-use of waste materials constitutes a significant area of research aimed at fostering sustainability in geotechnical engineering practices.