Feasibility of Using Sewage Sludge in Highway Embankment Construction

A laboratory evaluation of the feasibility of using sewage sludge in construction of a highway embankment was conducted. Mixtures composed of lime, fly ash, waste calcium sulfate and up to 17% sewage sludge were evaluated. The effect of lime type, fly ash source and the relative proportions of lime, fly ash and waste calcium sulfate on compressive strength of compacted specimens was measured. Two soils, one sandy and the other clayey, were used to replace 30, 50 and 70% of the fly ash in selected formulations. All samples with the soil replacement exceeded the minimum strength gain criterion. Selected formulations were further evaluated for volume change, durability, permeability and leachability. Analysis of the leachate from the permeability tests indicated that the heavy metals present in the sewage sludge--cadmium, chromium, mercury and zinc--were retained in the mixture. However, lime and gypsum did increase the pH and calcium and sulfate ion concentrations in the leachate.

• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/36584
• Corporate Authors:

  Gillette Research Institute

  1413 Research Boulevard
  Rockville, MD  United States  20850

  Federal Highway Administration

  Engineering Research and Development Bureau, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Kawam, A
  • SMITH, L M
  • Ross, J
  • Larew, H G
  • Rude, L
• Publication Date: 1975-2

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Pagination: 51 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Building materials; Calcium; Calcium oxide; Calcium sulfates; Clay; Compressive strength; Durability; Embankments; Feasibility analysis; Fills; Fly ash; Highways; Land reclamation; Leaching; Permeability; Sand; Sewerage; Sludge (Deposit); Soil stabilization; Solid waste disposal; Sulfates; Trace elements; Waste disposal; Water pollution
• Uncontrolled Terms: Sewage
• Old TRIS Terms: Reclamation; Sludge disposal
• Subject Areas: Construction; Geotechnology; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00092025
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-RD-75- 38 Intrm Rpt., FCP 34C2-022
• Contract Numbers: DOT-FH-11-8122
• Files: NTIS, NTL, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Oct 18 1976 12:00AM