Characterisation ofbottom ashes aiming its use in road construction

Abstract

Solutions concerning the upgrading of bottom ashes resulting from the combustion of municipal solid wastes are, at the moment, of the most technical, economical and social importance due, not only to the high cost of landfilling, but also to subsequent environmental problems.

The present paper corresponds to the first stage of this research, where the viability of reusing municipal solid waste bottom ash in road construction was studied with bottom ashes whose characteristics are expected similar to those produced by LIPOR incinerator in the near future.

The experimental geotechnical and environmental characterisation of the bottom ashes will be presented and the results will be analysed. Some conclusions will be put forward, concerning the viability of using municipal solid waste bottom ash in road construction.

Aware of the importance of the subject, LIPOR and FEUP are developing an experimental research program on the viability of reusing municipal incinerator bottom ash as civil construction and public works materials.