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Abstract
The coal combustion by‐product, dry bottom ash, originates from the burning of pulverized coal to produce electricity. Currently, almost all of the pulverized coal combustion (PCC) dry bottom ash is being dumped into ash ponds and landfills. Some of the ash ponds are reaching their maximum capacity and there is an immediate need for alternative measures to either dispose of or utilize the coal combustion by‐products for construction purposes. Within the past five years, several studies have investigated the use of PCC dry bottom ash in concrete and concrete products. However, its use in geotechnical applications is very limited. The physical properties of Illinois PCC dry bottom ash are similar to that of natural sand with particle sizes ranging from fine gravel to fine sand. Shear strength characteristics of soils, or materials similar to soils, are the most important parameters needed for the design of any geotechnical engineering project. Therefore, this study was initiated to develop understanding of the shear behavior of Illinois PCC dry bottom ash so that its potential use in geotechnical engineering applications could be accessed. This paper presents the results of an experimental study conducted to develop the technical data on shear strength characteristics of Illinois PCC dry bottom ash amended with bentonite.