Evaluation of calcined textile sludge as a stabilizing material for highway soil

Abstract The textile industry is a pioneer in the industrialization process in Brazil and is relevant to the Brazilian economy. However, it also generates as operational residue a solid waste, commonly called textile sludge. Pavement construction, which mobilizes large volumes of soil, constitutes an alternative to the reuse of residue, especially when stabilization is involved. The use of stabilized soils with the addition of waste can provide technical, economic and environmentally friendly advantages. This research aimed to study the use of chemical stabilization technique with sludge and three additives (lime, cement and asphalt emulsion) applied in base and subbase of pavements. The scope of this study was divided into four phases, i) characterization tests, ii) physical stabilization, iii) chemical stabilization and determination of heavy metals in the sludge, and iv) addition of 10% of textile sludge and chemical stabilizers (lime, cement, and asphalt emulsion) in amounts of 3%, 5% and 7% as additives in a soil, based on the results obtained in the second phase. Test results indicated that the stabilization of mixtures of soil with textile sludge has the potential to be used in pavement layers (base and subbase). The addition of cement promotes the best chemical stabilization for the sludge. The use of textile sludge stabilization presents greater environmental benefits, given the malfunctions and problems that the incorrect waste disposal can cause to the environment.