UTILIZATION OF COAL ASH FOR GROUND

IMPROVEMENT AND EMBANKMENT

CONSTRUCTION

B H T ARIYARATHNE
Road Development Authority
BACKGROUND
Coal Ash Production & Utilization at Lakvijaya power station
Utilization
Ash Type Production
Up to 1st March After 1st March
2018 2018

Fly Ash 830 tons/Day 30% - 40% 94%

Coal Ash
Bottom Ash 67 tons/Day None 80%

• They have dumped rest of Ash(Fly Ash & Bottom Ash both together)
to the dumping yard near the power station.
 Coal Ash Dumping Yard

• Stock pile area : 30 Acres

• Available stock : 400,000 MT
• Usage of this stock pile : Nil
Issues related with Coal Ash
 Wind brings ash towards the landside; blackening
agricultural fields, homes, coconut trees, etc.
 Ash is carried up to 2km away from the yard creating
social & economic impacts to the locals.

Social Impacts Economic Impacts

• Drinking water quality is not suitable
• Pregnant women can be caused
complication during child birth
• Skin & eye irritation have been
recorded
• Agricultural lands dilute the ash
and dust causing damage to
crops
• Problems have been arisen in
growing coconut due to the
ash

• Ash containing fine particles could • The population in the area

enter the lungs and cause Chronic has decreased
Obstructive Pulmonary
Issues related with construction
material
• Due to present construction boom in road sector, there is a high demand
for good quality construction materials(specially Soil).

• Availability of natural resources are not sufficient to meet the current

required demand.

• The reserves of high-quality materials are diminishing in many areas and

the transport material from long-distance which would be resulted at high
costs.

• Materials from local sources may be out-of-specification (marginal

material) with respect to the standard specifications for roadway
base/subbase and road embankments.
INTRODUCTION
This research work was focused to find out combine solution for
two devastating issues prevailing in Sri Lanka.

1. Non Utilization of dumped coal ash at Norochcholai which is

created huge Social & Economic issues in that area.

2. Scarcity of specified quality materials (specially soil)

for road construction
Several guidelines and methodologies are
available for use Coal Ash in road construction
works
 Using Coal Ash in Highway Construction: A
Guide to Benefits and Impacts, America Coal
Ash Association

 Standard guide for Design & Construction of

Coal Ash Structural Fills, ASTM E 2277-14

 Use of coal ash in Embankment and Bases,

Technical Advisory T 5080.9, US Department
of Transport.
 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES

1.) Use coal ash as a stabilizing material for

road base and sub-base soil.

2.) Use coal ash as an embankment filling

material.
Approaching Methodologies
Use as a Stabilizer Use as an Embankment Filling
• Evaluated the properties of coal ash • Chemical & physical characteristics
and selected soil (marginal material). were evaluated.

• Chose desirable coal ash content for • Slope analyses were carried out by
maximum usage by the means of using finite element software ,
strength characteristics. GeoStudio.

• Added common stabilizing agents • Leachate test were planned to do at the

(cement & lime) to further trial site to evaluate the mobilisation of
improvements & reduce the heavy metals.
mobilization of heavy metals.

• Leachate test was carried out to

evaluate the mobilisation of heavy
metals.
Approaching Methodologies
Properties of Coal Ash Properties of soil
Coal Ash from Norochcholai dumping yard Initially 4 types of soil were tested
was used for this investigation. (Specially two soils from different
rejected borrow pits)
Chemical properties
• Sieve analysis
• Chemical analysis
• Atterberg limits
• Leachate test
• CBR test
Physical Properties
• Soil classification
• Sieve analysis (Dry sieve & Wet Sieve)
• Compaction test
• CBR test
• Direct Shear Test
Chemical properties of coal ash
Chemical composition of coal ash Leaching assessment of coal ash
Chemical Test Fly Ash Bottom Ash Chemical Test Fly Ash Bottom Ash
Silica (SiO2) ASTM D4326-13 48.09% 47.98% Copper (Cu) USEPA 1311 & 200.7 <0.05 <0.05
Phosphorus (P2O5) ASTM D4326-14 2.29% 2.03%
Nickel (Ni) USEPA 1311 & 200.7 0.17 <0.05
Sulphur (SO3) ASTM D4326-15 0.31% 0.08%
Manganese (Mn) USEPA 1311 & 200.7 1.73 0.52
Iron Oxide (Fe3+) ASTM D4326-16 3.61% 4.86%
Aluminium (AL) ASTM D4326-17 16.48% 15.59%
Antimony and Compounds USEPA 1311 & 200.7 <0.05 <0.05
Titanium (Ti) ASTM D4326-18 0.98% 0.98% Beryllium & Compounds USEPA 1311 & 200.7 <0.05 <0.05
Calcium (Ca) ASTM D4326-19 6.68% 7.22% Molybdenum (Mo) USEPA 1311 & 200.7 0.09 <0.05
Potassium (K) ASTM D4326-20 0.45% 0.40% Thallium & Compounds USEPA 1311 & 200.7 <0.05 <0.05
Magnesium (Mg) ASTM D4326-21 0.94% 1.01% Vanadium Compounds (V) USEPA 1311 & 200.7 0.65 <0.05
Manganese ( Mn) ASTM D4326-22 0.04% 0.04% Aluminium (Al) USEPA 1311 & 200.7 0.95 4.96
Sodium (Na) ASTM D4326-23 0.02% 0.20% Calcium (Ca) USEPA 1311 & 200.7 1055 167.6
Nickel (Ni) ASTM D4326-24 <0.010% <0.010% Magnesium (Mg) USEPA 1311 & 200.7 78.85 16.14
Arsenic (As) ASTM D6357:2011 77.67 ppm 70.90 ppm
Arsenic (As) USEPA 1311 & 200.7 0.27 <0.05
Cadmium ( Cd) ASTM D6357:2012 ND ND
Chromium (Cr) USEPA 1311 & 200.7 <0.05 <0.05
Lead (Pb) ASTM D6357:2013 5.31 ppm ND
Antimony (Sb) SO-IN-MUL-TE-109 ND ND Cadmium (Cd) USEPA 1311 & 200.7 <0.05 <0.05
Cobalt (Co) USEPA 1311 & 200.7 0.06 <0.05
Lead (Pb) USEPA 1311 & 200.7 <0.05 <0.05
• This indicates the availability of pozzolans in Barium (Ba) USEPA 1311 & 200.7 0.16 0.75
considerable amount Mercury (Hg) USEPA 1311 & 200.7 <0.01 <0.01
Selenium (Se) USEPA 1311 & 200.7 0.06 <0.05
Silver (Ag) USEPA 1311 & 200.7 <0.05 <0.05
Zinc (Zn) USEPA 1311 & 200.7 0.07 0.05

• Leachate of some heavy metals indicate the

requirement of special attention when it’s used
Physical properties of coal ash
Moisture content- Dry Density relationship
PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION
SIEVE NO. U.S. SERIES SEIVE OPENING INCHES (LOG SCALE)
No.200 No. 100 No.50 No .40 No.30 No.16SQUARE OPENINGS
No 81/4 3/8 1/2 3/4 1 11/2 2 21/2
100 No 4
1.92 Soil B
3 31/2
1.90
90 ICTAD Table 1708 -3
The Grading 1.87 Soil C
80 Requirement for Upper
Sub-Base
Sample Coal Ash(wet) 1.81
70
Soil D
60
%PASSING

50

Dry Density (g/cm³)

40

30
1.50
20

10

0
.075 .150 .300 .425 .600 1.18 2.36 5 20 28
10 37.5 50 63 75 90
SIEVE NO.B.S.SERIES SIEVE OPENING mm(log scale)
SQUARE OPENINGS

• Coal ash is a well-graded material with 1.19

Coal Ash
particles ranging in size from fine gravel to fine 1.10
8.0 13.0 18.0 23.0 28.0 33.0 38.0
sand
Moisture Content %

• Compared to the soil, coal ash has light weight

Properties of natural soil
Particle size analysis percentage passing (BS SIEVE SIZE)

Soil ID
Unified soil
OMC MDD
CBR 98%
50 mm
37.5
mm 28 mm 20 mm 14 mm 10 mm 5 mm 2.36m
m
1.18m 600
m µm
300
µm
150 75 µm
µm LL PL PI classification MDD

A     100 99 98 96 86 83 78 70 60 51 44 52 28 24 SC 15.2 1.78 17

B         100 99 97 93 88 82 72 57 43 22 14 8 SC 12.3 1.92 11
C 100 97 97 94 92 87 68 55 43 35 30 27 26 59 35 24 SM 15.3 1.87 29
D     100 99 99 99 97 94 82 66 54 46 40 40 20 20 SC 16.8 1.81 26

Specification Limits ( SSCM 2009)

Use for Liquid Plasticity CBR% Compatibility
Limit Index
Sub Base (upper layer) <40 <15 >30 None
Sub Base(Lower Layer/capping) <40 <15 >15 None
Embankment <50 <25 >7 Soil B & Soil D
Objective 1

Stabilized marginal soil by using coal ash

• Soil
+
20%,
• Coal Ash 20% & 30% 30%,
Stage 1

• Soil

Stage 2
• Coal Ash 30%
• Cement 1% + 30 %
+ 1%

• Soil

+ +
• Coal Ash 30%
Stage 3 30 % 2.3 %
• Lime 2.3%

• Soil

Stage 4
•
•
•
Coal Ash 30%
Cement 1%
Lime 3%
+ 30 %
+ 1%
+ 3%
Laboratory Investigations & Test Results
Natural Soil + 20% Ash Soil + 30% Ash

46

42

39
38
33

29

26
C NA

26
B
R
%

17

11

0
S o il A S o il B S o il C S o il D
33 22 22 23
Liquid Limit 52 46 59 36 40 36

9 8 7 6
Plasticity Index 24 23 24 8 20 9
1. Soil Mixed with Coal Ash

Stabilized Soil
Natural Soil (Soil + 30% Coal Ash)
Type Compatibility
LL PI CBR LL PI CBR

Sub BaseSpecification Limit for sub base <40 <15 >30

Soil A 52 24 17 33 9 46 Comply
Soil B 22 8 11 23 6 38 Comply
Soil C 59 24 29 36 8 42 Comply
Soil D 40 20 26 36 9 39 Comply

According to the above results, all the soils are suitable to use as a road sub
base construction material
2. Soil Mixed with Coal Ash & Cement

Cement is considered as the

most adaptable binder for + 30 %
+ 1%

immobilization of heavy metals 80

70
72%
60
• 1% of cement was added to the above C
mixture. B 50

• 98% of MDD,OMC and 28 days moisture R 40

% 38%
curing and 4 days soaked condition were 30
used for testing. 26%
20

10 11%

0
Natural Soil (B) Soil + 1% Cement Soil + 30% Ash Soil + 1% Cement + 30%
Ash

Liquid Limit 22 24 23 25

Plasticity Index 8 8 6 9
3. Soil Mixed with Coal Ash & Lime
According to the ASTM C 618
category of coal ash is class F. That
+ 30 %
+ 2.3 %

means they require additional lime to 160

obtain self-hardening 140

142%
120

• 2.3% of lime was added to above 110%

C 100
mixture B 80
• 98% of MDD,OMC and 24 days moisture R
curing and 4 days soaked condition were %
60

used for testing 40

Soil
14 20 26%
12
0
Natural Soil Soil + 3% Lime Soil + 3% Lime + 30% Ash
10 (D)
8
PH Value

6 Liquid Limit 40 43 36

4
Plasticity Index 20 14 7
2

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Lime Content
4. Soil Mixed with Coal Ash, Cement & Lime

300 + 30 %
+ 1%
+ 3%

To gain the results of stage 2 &

stage 3, mixed both cement & lime 250
256%
are together at this stage
200

199%
C
B 150
Lime Demand Curve R
Soil Soil +30% Ash Soil+20% Ash
14
%
100

12

10 50

8
PH Value

6
26%
0
Natural Soil Soil + 1% Cement + 3% Lime + Soil + 1% Cement + 3% Lime +
4 20% Ash 30% Ash
2

0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Liquid Limit 40 39 38

Lime Content
Plasticity Index 20 7 7
Leachate Test Results
This test was carried out to evaluate the mobilization of heavy metals (Lead & Arsenic)

Type of Sample Lead Arsenic Specification

Limit
(mg/L) (mg/L)

Coal Ash ND 0.009

Lead - 5 mg/lit
Soil + 30% Coal Ash ND 0.004 Arsenic - 5 mg/lit
(National
Soil + 30% Coal Ash + 1% Cement ND 0.002 Environmental
Agency, Singapore)
Soil + 30% Coal Ash + 3% Lime ND ND
Soil + 30% Coal Ash + 1% Cement + 3% Lime ND ND

* ND – Not Detected

• USEPA method No 1311 were used to do a leachate assessment

Objective 2

Use of Coal Ash for Embankment Filling

• High Shear Strength, Low Compressibility and
permeability indicate the use of coal ash for
embankment material.
• Relatively light weight is advantage to less construction
time and less consolidation settlement of foundation
material.
• Flood prone areas and bridge approaches were not
included in this approach
• If proper design and construction procedure were
followed, it is understood that coal ash is a suitable
waste to be recycled into wealth especially in road
projects.

Values used for this analysis

Angle of
Material Condition Density Cohesion
Friction
Coal Ash Unsaturated 12 0 29
Outer Zone Unsaturated 18 5 34
Foundation Unsaturated 20 18 36
Embankment Analysis Results
• Low Embankment - less than 4m high

Case 1 – Embankment to final height 4m with Case 2 – Embankment to final height 4m with traffic
traffic load of 20 kPa – Low water level load of 20 kPa – water level above 1m
Embankment Analysis Results
• High Embankment - over 4m high

Case 1 – Embankment to final height 4m with Case 2 – Embankment to final height 4m with traffic
traffic load of 20 kPa – Low water level load of 20 kPa – water level above 1m
CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS
• It is possible to stabilize marginal soil by adding maximum of 30%
coal ash by weight.

• Adding cement & lime would be a result of gaining high strength & it
reflects the use of this mixture as a proper road base subject to
investigate on other factors.

• Existing coal ash stock pile could be used as a bulk quantity for
Embankment filling by providing out cover of soil layer & HDPE
Geopolymer liner.
THANK YOU