Improvement of soft ground using solidified coal ash and its effects on the marine environment

This paper presents some research results pertaining to the application of solidified coal ash (SCA) for improving the stability of soft ground. The r esults pertain to the physical properties of SCA required for use as an alt ernative to sand in sand compaction piles (SCPs), and the assessment of pos sible environmental impacts resulting from construction of SCA piles in mar ine environments. The results of field tests indicate that the physical pro perties of SCA (permeability, internal friction angle, and grain-size distr ibution) are favorable for use in soil improvement applications, Also, the results show that SCA is sufficiently suitable as an alternative to sand in SCPs, although SCA piles cannot be compacted to the same extent as sand pi les. Finally, test results showed no adverse environmental impacts on natur al benthos resulting from placement of SCA piles in marine environments. Th us, the results of this study confirm that SCA is a viable alternative mate rial to sand in SCPs that are used for ground improvement in marine environ ments, and that large quantities of SCA may be required for such applicatio ns resulting in an alternative use for an otherwise waste material. (C) 200 0 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.