Stabilization of a deep excavation using demolition and construction waste materials

The increasing amount of demolition and construction waste (D&CW) materials has created many problems in large cities. Recycling waste materials helps to protect the environment. D&CW can be used in many projects, especially in road construction, retaining walls, landscaping and pavements. In this research, a project in which, D&CW used as fill materials to stabilize a deep excavation is investigated. The project site is located at the southwest of Tehran and the west of the Kan River. Site soil is basically composed of the C alluvium of Tehran. Strength parameters of soil were determined using recursive stability analysis. By performing an experimental embankment of D&CW (500 m length, 8 m width and 0.5 m height) and compacting it, in-situ density, plate load and dynamic probing tests were implemented and parameters of D&CW were obtained. Then stability analysis of excavation was performed under different conditions using Geo-Slope and the results showed that the D&CW embankment is capable to provide factor of safety. Finally, in order to control the quality of execution, according to the field observations, the guidelines were suggested to use D&CW. The results of this study show that D&CW can be significantly usable in engineering applications.