A road pavement full-scale test track containing stabilized bottom ashes

Abstract

This paper reports the results of a road pavement full-scale test track built by using stabilized bottom ash (SBA) from an Italian municipal solid waste incinerator as the aggregate in granular foundation, cement-bound mixes and asphalt concretes. The investigation focused on both the performance and the environmental compatibility of such mixes, especially with regard to the effects of mixing, laying and compaction. From the road construction point of view, the performance related to the effects of mixing, laying and compaction on constructability was assessed, as well as the volumetric and the mechanical properties. Environmental aspects were investigated by leaching tests. The results suggested that SBA meets the environmental Italian law for the reuse of non-hazardous waste and could be used as road material with the procedures, plants and equipment currently used for road construction.

Keywords:

• bottom ash
• full-scale test track
• leaching behaviour
• performance tests
• road construction

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Italian University and Research Ministry (MIUR) under the FIRB project ‘Analisi del processo di trasformazione dei Rifiuti Urbani in energia’, 2005–2008. The authors thank ECODECO for providing SBA.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).