Soil Stabilization Using Industrial By-Products for Sustainable Sub-Base Construction in Pavement Engineering

Abstract

The increasing demand for sustainable infrastructure development has encouraged the utilization of industrial by-products in geotechnical and pavement engineering applications. This study investigates soil stabilization using industrial by-products for sustainable sub-base construction in pavement engineering to improve mechanical performance while reducing environmental impacts associated with conventional construction materials. Various industrial by-products, including fly ash, ground granulated blast furnace slag, silica fume, and industrial waste residues, were evaluated for their effectiveness in enhancing soil strength, durability, and load-bearing capacity under different stabilization conditions. A comprehensive experimental investigation was conducted to analyze the influence of additive composition, curing duration, moisture content, and compaction characteristics on the engineering behavior of stabilized soils. Mechanical and geotechnical assessments, including California bearing ratio tests, unconfined compressive strength analysis, permeability evaluation, and durability studies, were performed to determine the suitability of stabilized materials for pavement sub-base applications. Results demonstrated significant improvements in soil strength, stiffness, and resistance to deformation through the incorporation of industrial by-products, indicating enhanced pavement support capability and reduced susceptibility to moisture-related deterioration. The stabilized soil mixtures also exhibited improved compaction behavior and long-term durability compared to untreated soils.