Effect of ceramic tiles dust on physical and engineering properties of tropical residual soil

Abstract

Ceramic tile dust is a by-product from manufacturing plant or construction site which leads to the disposal or environmental issues. Previous research has identified the potential of ceramic tile dust in concrete and soil stabilisation. This research investigates on the potential application of ceramic tile dust for tropical residual soil stabilisation. Atterberg limits, compaction and unconfined compression tests were conducted on residual soil from Cheras, Malaysia with different ceramic tile dust contents (i.e., 0 %, 10 %, 20 %, 30%). The effect of ceramic tile dust percentage on plasticity index, compaction properties and unconfined compressive strength was discussed. It was found that the maximum dry density of the soil increased slightly until ceramic tile dust content of 20 %. However, the optimum moisture content and plasticity index were reduced with the addition of ceramic tile dust. The unconfined compressive strength was improved about 1.4 times for residual soil with 30 % of ceramic tile dust. In conclusion,ceramic tile dust is suitable to be recycled as a soil stabiliser as it could increase the maximum dry density and strength of the tropical residual soil.