PSI - Issue 70

Vinod Kumar et al. / Procedia Structural Integrity 70 (2025) 303–310

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(Bisht, 2023). Soil stabilization using additives is a widely adopted technique to address these deficiencies. Among the various stabilizers, cement has proven to be a reliable chemical additive that enhances soil strength, durability, and compaction properties(Ali Ashraf, 2018; Arifin & Kusworo, 2020; Pongsivasathit et al., 2019). On the other hand, the increasing generation of brick waste due to the rapid growth of the construction industry presents an environmental concern, as tons of brick debris are often discarded without proper reuse or disposal (Bahar et al., 2004; Deevi & Manikanta, 2016). Incorporating brick dust — an abundant by-product of demolition and construction activities — into soil stabilization protocols offers environmental and economic benefits. India, for instance, is the second largest producer of bricks and faces a considerable challenge in managing its brick waste(Bahar et al., 2004). Recent studies have demonstrated that brick dust can positively influence the geotechnical behavior of soil by improving properties such as shear strength, consistency limits, and compaction characteristics (Hidalgo et al., 2019; Horpibulsuk et al., 2010). The integration of cement with brick dust further amplifies these benefits, facilitating improved inter-particle bonding, reduced permeability, and enhanced load-bearing capacity (Bhavsar & Patel, 2014; Joel & Agbede, 2011; Prasad, 2011). Cement addition to brick dust – mixed soil transforms the matrix by initiating pozzolanic reactions that develop cementitious compounds, particularly calcium silicate hydrates (C-S-H) and calcium aluminate hydrates (C-A-H), which bind soil particles and fill voids (Ali Ashraf, 2018; Jadoon, 2024; Prasad, 2011). These interactions enhance the stiffness, reduce the porosity, and increase the unconstrained compressive strength (UCS) of the stabilized soil (Al-Baidhani et al., 2019; Pongsivasathit et al., 2019). However, achieving uniform strength and desirable durability often requires careful control over influential parameters such as cement content, moisture content, curing time, and compaction effort (Bhavsar & Patel, 2014; Manjushree, V. Gaikwad. Several experimental investigations have illustrated that an optimal range of cement (typically between 6 – 10% by weight) in combination with brick dust yields significant improvements in strength without compromising long term durability under varying environmental conditions (Ali Ashraf, 2018; Bhavsar & Patel, 2014; Jadoon, 2024; Prasad, 2011). For instance, the addition of 20 – 30% brick dust with 6 – 8% cement has been found effective in reducing plasticity index and swell potential while increasing California Bearing Ratio (CBR) and modulus of subgrade reaction (K) (Deevi & Manikanta, 2016; Joel & Agbede, 2011; Manjushree.V.Gaikwad et al., 2024). Moreover, studies employing microstructural tools like Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD) have highlighted the development of cementitious compounds and reduction in pore spaces asa function of cement – brick dustsynergy (Ali Ashraf, 2018; Takele Getaneh et al., 2020). 1.1. Research significance Despite the encouraging results from previous works, comprehensive studies focusing on the microstructural evolution and mechanical behavior of cement-stabilized soils containing brick dust remain limited. Most existing research focuses primarily on either cement or brick dust in isolation, rather than their combined effects on local soils with varying mineralogical compositions. Therefore, this research aims to evaluate the influence of cement addition on the geotechnical properties of brick dust – mixed local soil. The scope includes assessment of strength parameters, compaction characteristics, and durability performance under various curing periods and additive contents. The unconfined compressive strength is used as the primary indicator of performance enhancement, supplemented by microstructural analysis to elucidate the underlying mechanisms driving the observed changes. Thisstudyisexpected to contribute toward sustainable geotechnical practices by offering a viable reuse pathway for brick waste while reducing reliance on high cement dosages, aligning with circular economy and low-carbon construction principles. 2. Methodology A laboratory investigation is done to evaluate the impact of the cement on the mix of soil and brick dust. The details of the properties of the material used in this investigation, the planning of the experiment, and the process of the tests done during the present study are summarized below.