ABSTRACT
A series of laboratory tests to evaluate the engineering properties of compacted water plant sludge were carried out. Low unit weights were obtained during compaction and it was observed that under different compaction efforts, the sludge behaves in a manner similar to ordinary soils. At higher water contents, the dry densities are not affected by the compaction energy. The results of triaxial tests have shown that under undrained conditions, the strength characteristics of the sludge were sensitive to the moisture content of the samples. Furthermore, the chemical composition of the sludge indicates that the material is of non-hazardous type and, therefore, poses no great threat to the environment. The concentrations of the leachates were, generally, within the range of allowable values and, decreased with continued leaching. Based on the tests results it was concluded that the sludge used has the prerequisite properties for use in geotechnical applications.
