About a possible valorisation in cementitious materials of polluted sediments after treatment

The disposal of contaminated dredged material has become an economical and environmental issue. Firstly, this study presents the Novosol® process which was used for the treatment of polluted sediments. This process is based on the stabilisation of heavy metals and on the thermal elimination of organic matter. A physical characterization of the processed material reveals high porosity (60%) and water absorption (45%). Moreover, the treated sediment aggregate (TSA) has a relatively low strength and a high content of fine particles.Secondly, an experimental study on the feasibility of TSA introduction in cement-based materials was performed. Three mortars for which a given sand volume was replaced by the same sediment volume (33%, 66% and 100%) were designed. A strong increase of drying shrinkage was observed (up to 10 times higher, when compared to a reference mortar). Permeability remained virtually constant, though. There was a significant increase in strength for low to moderate substitution, while high incorporated quantity of sediment led to a strength on the same order of that of the reference mortar.