Consolidation and Microstructural Behaviour of River Sludge Stabilized with Rice Husk Ash and Cement
摘要
The reuse of river sludge (RS) offers an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative for various geotechnical applications. However, their high compressibility and low shear strength, attributed to significant organic matter content, pose challenges for engineering use. This study investigates the consolidation and compressibility behavior of river sludge stabilized with rice husk ash (RHA) and cement (C) as sustainable additives. The study also addresses the research gap regarding the synergistic pozzolanic contribution of RHA in reducing cement dependency for river sludge stabilization. A series of oedometer tests were conducted on RS-RHA-C composites with varying RHA and cement proportions to evaluate their consolidation parameters, including the coefficient of consolidation (cv), coefficient of volume change (mv), and permeability coefficient (k). Quantitative observations showed that the optimal mix (RS-10%RHA-6C) achieved a 58% reduction in compression index, a 45% decrease in mv, and nearly one order of magnitude reduction in permeability. The structural and microstructural modifications of the stabilized composites were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), providing insights into the pozzolanic activity and binding mechanisms of RHA and cement. SEM images revealed denser particle packing and pore filling, while EDS confirmed the formation of C–S–H and C–A–S–H gels through increased Ca, Si, and Al concentrations, explaining the reduced compressibility and enhanced structure. The addition of RHA, combined with nominal cement content, significantly reduces compressibility and enhances the consolidation parameters of river sludge. The findings suggest that RHA-cement composites not only improve the geotechnical performance of river sludge but also align with sustainable construction goals by reducing reliance on traditional cement-based stabilization methods. This research provides valuable insights into the optimal design of RHA-cement composites for use in engineering structures, including embankments, pavements, and foundation subbases.
Graphical Abstract