Reuse of dredged sediments as pavement materials by cement kiln dust and lime treatment

This paper presents an investigation on the properties of two types of cement kiln dust (CKD)-stabilized dredged sediments, silt and clay with a comparison to hydrated lime stabilization. Unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and California bearing ratio (CBR) tests were conducted to examine the optimal stabilizer content and classify the type of highway material. A strength development model of treated dredged sediments was performed. The influences of various stabilizer types and sediment types on UCS were interpreted with the aid of microstructural observations, including X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy analysis. The results of the tests revealed that 6% of lime by dry weight can be suggested as optimal content for the improvement of clay and silt as selected materials. For CKD-stabilized sediment as soil cement subbase material, the use of 8% CKD was suggested as optimal content for clay, whereas 6% CKD was recommended for silt; the overall CBR value agreed with the UCS test. The reaction products calcium silicate hydrate and ettringite are the controlling mechanisms for the mechanical performance of CKD-stabilized sediments, whereas calcium aluminate hydrate is the control for lime-stabilized sediments. These results will contribute to the use of CKD as a sustainable and novel stabilizer for lime in highway material applications.