Feasibility Study for Improving Structural Properties of Manufactured Aggregates Made from Dredged Material

Most of the dams are subjected to sedimentation and therefore Dredging is done continuously in order to keep sufficient depth in the reservoirs. Dredging is a continuous process and huge amount of dredged material is available, most of which is thrown to agricultural field or near beach for beach nourishment purpose because at present is has no commercial value. In current scenario, the disposal problem of industrial by-products like bottom ash, RHA, and the dredged material has become an environmental burden. Further, shortage of land to dispose this material also adds up the issue. In the present study these materials and/or by-products that are considered waste and pollutants were used for making artificial aggregates. On the other side, shortage of natural aggregates in the rapidly growing infrastructure industry creates a problem of depleting natural resources and is the outcome of fast polluting environment. Consequently, production of artificial aggregates solves two problems; saves environment from pollution and prevents depletion of natural resources, thereby giving a way to sustainable development. The Environmental suitability by determining the chemical composition and engineering properties of dredged material have been analyzed & then accordingly the mixes of varying percentages of the dredged material and admixtures were cast and sintered by the incorporation of existing infrastructure and capital assets to improve their structural properties. The Artificial aggregates resulted from the present research have acceptable for various strength properties tested such as crushing, abrasion, impact and soundness. Also, the use of additives and coating materials in appropriate proportions improved the structural properties of these products making them suitable to use in concrete.