Efficient recycling strategies for slurry TBM excavated soil

In downtown subway project most of excavated soil is discarded externally, whereas in road construction excavated soil is used as filling material and management of surplus soil becomes important factor for success of the project. Excavated materials from slurry shield TBM are discharged through discharge pipe to slurry treatment plant and excavated soil mixed with bentonite are separated in separation plant by grain size. Fine material has been discarded together in filter cake without recycling. Its volume can vary according to geologic condition but statistically fine material as filter cake is about 5%~30% out of overall excavated volume. However, filter cake is non-toxic and can be recycled when mixed in the appropriate proportions with coarse aggregate. Therefore, in this study, utilization of excavated soil from a slurry shield TBM were examined and lab tests were conducted to find the proper way for mixing filter cake and aggregate to be recycled as fill material for road construction.