Geotechnical Characterization of Water Treatment Sludge for Liner Material Production and Soft Soil Reinforcement

A water treatment sludge (WTS) was characterized in order to evaluate if its properties would be suitable for use as liner of earthworks or for strengthening a clay soil. A WTS and a clayey soil was characterized in terms of granulometry, cumulative volumes, specific surface, density, plastic limit, liquid limit, water content, hydraulic conductivity, and characteristics of compaction (optimal water content and dry density). This study aimed to exhibit and evaluate these investigated parameters of WTS, soft soil and mixed proportions between the materials for liners’ material production while evaluating soft soils’ reinforcement feasibility. The results have shown WTS’s contribution with its fine granulometry and compaction characteristics, indicating filling properties and possible feasibility as soft soils additions for liners’ material production while being applicable for soils‘ reinforcements, corroborating with existing literature on the subject. Thus, the currently developed investigation has exposed WTS as a potential addition for these applications while also attending society’s new demands towards a more sustainable future.