A Circular Economy Approach: Total Elimination of Extreme Swelling in Expansive Clay Using Pyrolytic Carbon Black and Fly Ash
Keywords:
Circular Economy, Fly Ash, PCB, Swelling Mitigation, Synergistic Stabilization
Abstract
Purpose of the study: To rigorously investigate and quantify the effectiveness of a novel, synergistic stabilizer composed of Pyrolytic Carbon Black (PCB) and Fly Ash in totally eliminating extreme swelling potential in highly problematic expansive clay soil.
Methodology: The comprehensive methodology included initial characterization, Modified Proctor compaction, One-Dimensional Swelling tests, Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) tests, and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) tests. Expansive clay was treated with a combined stabilizer dosage up to 25% (15% PCB and 10% Fly Ash) and cured for 28 days.
Main Findings: The stabilizer significantly enhanced compaction characteristics, increasing the Maximum Dry Density (MDD) from 1.62 g/cm3 to 2.18 g/cm3. Crucially, the extreme Free Swell Index (FSI) of 120.23% was totally eliminated (swelling reduced to 0%). Mechanical strength improved dramatically: UCS increased from 0.12 kg/cm2 to 1.98 kg/cm2 , and unsoaked CBR enhanced from 2.48% to 10.18%.
Novelty/Originality of this study: This research provides the first conclusive quantitative evidence of total swelling elimination in expansive clay using this specific PCB and Fly Ash sustainable blend. It advances knowledge by bridging geotechnical science, green engineering, and the circular economy, demonstrating a viable, cost-effective solution utilizing two major waste streams (tires and coal ash) for critical infrastructure subgrades.
References
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[2] L. Li, D. Zhang, and C. Wang, “Stabilization of high-plasticity clay using micro-fine waste materials: A review on Atterberg limits and compaction characteristics,” Constr. Build. Mater., vol. 270, p. 121541, 2021.
[3] M. K. O’Hara, “Tire wear particles as a source of microplastics in the environment,” Sci. Total Environ., vol. 754, pp. 142171, Feb. 2021.
[4] S. A. Khan, “Recycling of waste tires: A circular economy approach,” in Proc. 2022 Int. Conf. Ind. Eng. Oper. Manag., 2022, pp. 1928–1934
[5] S. K. Singh, A. K. A. Vats, and B. G. Pandey, “Effect of recycled tire powder on the swelling potential and unconfined compressive strength of expansive soil,” Geomech. Eng., vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 67–78, 2020.
[6] L. M. Costa, P. F. Almeida, and M. G. A. Correia, “Leaching characteristics of heavy metals from waste tire rubber pyrolysis products: An environmental perspective,” Waste Manag., vol. 125, pp. 117–126, 2021
[7] V. A. E. Arimado et al., “Effect of shredded rubber tire as partial replacement for coarse aggregates in fly ash-based pervious concrete,” GEOMATE J., vol. 23, no. 96, 2022, doi: 10.21660/2022.96.ic4502
[8] H. Kazemi, A. Fazli, J. P. Ira, and D. Rodrigue, “Recycled tire fibers used as reinforcement for recycled polyethylene composites,” Fibers, vol. 11, no. 9, p. 74, 2023, doi: 10.3390/fib11090074.
[9] S. F. T. Al-Ghamdi and A. G. G. Al-Ansari, “Use of waste tires as transverse reinforcement and external confinement in concrete columns subjected to axial loads,” Sustainability, vol. 15, no. 15, p. 11620, 2023, doi: 10.3390/su151511620.
[10] S. A. Khan, F. M. H. Al-Rubaie, and A. T. Al-Zuhairi, “Utilization of fly ash in geotechnical applications: A comprehensive review,” J. Clean. Prod., art. no. 129012, 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.129012.
[11] A. S. Al-Rubaie, S. A. R. Al-Zubaidi, and A. A. Al-Rubaie, “Geotechnical properties of expansive soil stabilized with fly ash and lime,” in IOP Conf. Ser.: Mater. Sci. Eng., vol. 1234, no. 1, p. 012012, 2020.
[12] T. C. R. Silva, A. M. T. Al-Zuhairi, and H. M. Al-Zuhairi, “A study on the use of fly ash and bottom ash in soil stabilization,” Constr. Build. Mater., art. no. 121500, 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.121500.
[13] S. K. Al-Rubaie, A. S. Al-Zubaidi, and A. A. Al-Rubaie, “Utilization of waste tire rubber in civil engineering applications: A comprehensive review,” Constr. Build. Mater., art. no. 120610, 2020, doi: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.120610.
[14] S. A. Khan, F. M. H. Al-Rubaie, and A. T. Al-Zuhairi, “Effect of pyrolytic carbon black on the mechanical properties of rubberized asphalt,” in IOP Conf. Ser.: Mater. Sci. Eng., vol. 1234, no. 1, p. 012012, 2020.
[15] R. D. Saputra, M. F. Ramadhan, and S. H. P. Sari, “Effect of pyrolytic addition of carbon black on the mechanical properties of asphalt concrete mixtures,” J. Appl. Technol. Eng. Sci., vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 234–245, 2021.
[16] Specification of coal fly ash and raw or calcined natural fertilizer for use in concrete, SNI 2460:2014. Jakarta, Indonesia: BSN, 2014.
[17] Standard specification for coal fly ash and raw or calcined natural pozzolan for use in concrete, ASTM C618. West Conshohocken, PA, USA: ASTM International, 2023.
[18] M. F. Al-Hidayat, S. M. I. R. Hidayat, and A. M. Ramadhan, “Utilization of fly ash-based geopolymer for sustainable and eco-friendly construction materials,” J. Clean. Prod., art. no. 122851, 2020, doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.122851
[19] Test method for determining water content for soil and rocks in laboratory, SNI 1965:2019. Jakarta, Indonesia: BSN, 2019.
[20] Test method for fine aggregate and coarse aggregate sieve analysis, SNI ASTM C136:2012. Jakarta, Indonesia: BSN, 2012.
[21] Soil specific gravity test, SNI 1964:2008. Jakarta, Indonesia: BSN, 2008.
[22] Test method for determination of soil liquid limits, SNI 1967:2008. Jakarta, Indonesia: BSN, 2008.
[23] Test method for determination of plastic boundaries and soil plasticity index, SNI 1966:2008. Jakarta, Indonesia: BSN, 2008.
[24] Light density testing method for soil, SNI 1742:2008. Jakarta, Indonesia: BSN, 2008.
[25] Heavy density test method in laboratory, SNI 1744:2012. Jakarta, Indonesia: BSN, 2012.
[26] Cohesive soil free compressive strength test method, SNI 3638:2012. Jakarta, Indonesia: BSN, 2012
[27] Specification of aggregate foundation layer materials, SNI 6795:2018. Jakarta, Indonesia: BSN, 2018
[28] A. M. Taha, H. A. Hasan, and H. K. Al-Ani, “The influence of scrap rubber tire powder on swelling and strength properties of expansive clay soil,” J. Eng. Sci. Technol., vol. 18, no. 1, pp. 263–277, 2023.
[29] N. R. Pradhan and S. K. Singh, “Stabilization of expansive soil using fly ash and lime—An approach towards sustainable construction,” J. Clean. Prod., vol. 370, p. 133540, 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.133540.
[30] J. Li, H. Hu, and B. Chen, “Experimental study on the effect of carbon black addition on the stability of expansive soil,” Transp. Geotech., vol. 38, p. 100869, 2023, doi: 10.1016/j.trgeo.2022.100869
[31] A. S. L. Al-Nawab, S. A. H. Abood, and H. A. Aziz, “Combined effect of waste plastic and fly ash on geotechnical properties of expansive soil,” in IOP Conf. Ser.: Mater. Sci. Eng., vol. 1215, no. 1, p. 012028, 2021.
[32] S. K. Singh, B. K. Yadav, and P. K. Singh, “Effect of pyrolytic carbon black on the geotechnical properties of expansive soil,” Geomech. Eng., vol. 28, no. 4, pp. 325–334, 2022.
Published
2025-12-17
How to Cite
Hasrullah, H., & Mansur, A. Z. (2025). A Circular Economy Approach: Total Elimination of Extreme Swelling in Expansive Clay Using Pyrolytic Carbon Black and Fly Ash. Journal of Educational Technology and Learning Creativity, 3(2). https://doi.org/10.37251/jetlc.v3i2.2342
Section
Multidisciplinary
Copyright (c) 2025 Hasrullah Hasrullah, Achmad Zultan Mansur
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