Sustainable Solutions for Clayey Soil Improvement: A Study of Steel Slag and Glass Powder

Abstract

This study uses glass powder and steel slags, two industrial wastes, to examine various soil parameters, including the California bearing ratio, unconfined compressive strength, plasticity index, and maximum dry density. Both glass powder and steel slags significantly impact different soil characteristics for both soil samples. When glass powder and steel slag were added to soil samples, the PI values dropped from 13.7% to 10.1%, and for steel slag, they fell from 13.1% to 8.3%. The PI was similarly decreased when both were combined in the specified percentage content; the most significant reduction, 1.4%, was seen at 10% GP and 20% SS. In a similar vein, the MDD value rose as the SS and GP contents increased; the highest increases were noted for 10% SS, at 1.92 g/cc, and 10% GP, at 1.96 g/cc, respectively. However, the highest growth, 2.21 g/cc, occurred when 10% GP and 20% SS were combined with steel slag and glass powder. Both steel slag and glass powder raise the CBR value; the highest increases were observed for 10% SS, which was 8.7%, and 10% GP, which was 9.6%, respectively. The most significant growth, 17.6%, was observed when 10% G.P. and 20% SS were combined with steel slag and glass powder. The percentage increased by almost 183.8% from its initial amount. Thus, the use of steel slag and glass powder in stabilization is a common and economical way to improve the soil's qualities for stabilization.