Utilization of Quarry Dust to Improve the Geotechnical Properties of Soils in Highway Construction

Quarries and aggregate crushers are basic requisites for construction industry and quarry dust is a byproduct of rubble crusher units. Geotechnical and mineralogical characterization of quarry dust and its interaction behavior with soils can lead to viable solutions for its large-scale utilization and disposal. The effect of addition of quarry dust on properties of red earth and two different cohesive soils; viz. kaolinite, Cochin marine clay was studied in detail. The results indicate that compaction characteristics and CBR of soils are improved by addition of quarry dust. Problems associated with the construction of highways over clayey subgrade can be reduced significantly by mixing with quarry dust