Residual sludge from dimension stones: characterisation for their exploitation in civil and environmental applications

Residual sludge coming from dimension stones working plants represents a problem for Stone Industries (cost connected to their landfilling); sludge as such can be used for environmental restoration of derelict land or in cement plants, according to Italian regulation. However it is also possible to think about their systematic treatment for the production of Secondary Raw Materials or New Products. To individuate possible different applications a geotechnical characterization was conducted on sludge as such and on different mixes. In detail the possibility of using them as products for dumps waterproofing and for land rehabilitation and reclamation is discussed. (C) 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.