Evaluation of Recycled Glass Powder for the Improvement of Bentonite Clay under Natural Curing Conditions

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Geology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran.

2 Professor, Department of Engineering Geology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran.

3 Department of Geology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran.

Abstract

This study investigates the geotechnical improvement potential of bentonitic clay using recycled glass powder without the application of any chemical activator. For this purpose, soil–glass powder mixtures containing 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15% glass powder by dry weight of soil were prepared. Atterberg limits, standard compaction, direct shear, and CBR tests were conducted without considering curing time, whereas unconfined compressive strength and consolidation tests were performed after curing periods of 7, 28, and 60 days. In addition, SEM/EDS analyses were carried out to examine changes in the soil microstructure. The results showed that adding glass powder up to 12% significantly improved the engineering behavior of the soil, reducing the optimum moisture content by 13.3% and increasing the maximum dry density by 3.5%. At this dosage, cohesion and internal friction angle increased by 14.7% and 35.7%, respectively, while the CBR value improved by 37%. Moreover, the unconfined compressive strength of the sample containing 12% glass powder after 60 days of curing was 140% higher than that of the untreated sample. The compression index also decreased with increasing glass powder content and curing time, indicating improved settlement behavior. SEM/EDS results further revealed reduced porosity, enhanced matrix continuity, and the formation of silica/alumina-rich gel-like products. Overall, short-term soil improvement was mainly attributed to filler and particle interlocking effects, while long-term improvement resulted from the gradual formation of bonding gels. Therefore, recycled glass powder can be considered an effective, low-cost, and environmentally friendly option for the improvement of clayey soils.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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