The erosion resistance of clay soil treated with recycled concrete aggregates

Soil erosion is a detrimental consequence of water flow that poses serious threats to the functionality/stability of earthen structures, dykes, river banks, canals, etc. Soil treatment/stabilization with additives remains a conventional and feasible technique to enhance soil erosion resistance. This study investigates the application of recycled concrete aggregates (RCA)- as a sustainable and environmentally-friendly additive- to lower the erosion propensity of clay soil. Jet Erosion Tests (JETs) were performed on treated soils comprising clay stabilized with 3 %, 5 %, 10 % and 15 % recycled concrete aggregates, and erosion parameters; namely, critical shear stress (τc) and erodibility/detachment coefficient (kd) were measured. Laboratory findings elaborated that the increase in the RCA content and curing time of clay-RCA mixture significantly improved the erosion resistance as compared to the clay. The clay treated with 15 % RCA (after 28 days curing) demonstrated a 45 fold increase in τc and 92 % decrease in kd, to the extent that the ‘erodible’ clay converted into the erosion ‘resistant’ clay-RCA blend. Concerning the practical implications, clay treatment with recycled concrete aggregates lowers the likelihood of concentrated leak erosion initiation and decelerates the progression of piping. [Display omitted] •Recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) is used as a stabilizer to decrease clay erodibility.•Jet Erosion Test (JET) is conducted to measure soil erosion parameters.•Stabilization with RCA turns the ‘erodible’ clay into an erosion ‘resistant’ mixture.•Clay stabilization with RCA reduces the possibility of erosion initiation.