Utilization of waste marble powder as sustainable stabilization materials for subgrade layer

In geotechnical engineering, the practice of modifying the properties of weak soils with waste marble materials has become increasingly essential. The impact of this waste material on the soil properties has received a lot of attention in recent years. The purpose of this research is to investigate how marble dust powder affects the performance of subgrade soil. Different percentages of marble dust (MD) (0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15) were employed. Particle size distribution, maximum dry density, optimal moisture content, and unconfined compressive strength (UCS) were all determined by laboratory testing. The study found that adding 3% marble dust to untreated soil produces the best outcomes when compared to other percentages of marble dust. The collected findings indicated that at 3% MD, the greatest value of UCS is attained. The findings revealed that adding marble dust to clay samples will lower the cost of erecting structures on poor soils, and that producing new uses for discarded marble dust will minimize pollution. For pavement application under applied traffic loading of pavement, simulation model using PLAXIS software ver. 8.2 was analyzed. It was concluded that a reduction in the vertical displacement (rutting) for flexible pavement by about (55.3%) could be obtained when the subgrade soil was stabilized with (3%) waste marble dust. Also the vertical compressive strains at top of the subgrade for flexible pavement were reduced by (38%).