ABSTRACT
In slurry shield tunnel boring machine (TBM) operations, bentonite slurry is used to stabilize the tunnel excavation face. After multiple uses, the bentonite slurry is solidified into dried filter cake by a filter press facility and ultimately disposed of as waste. The volume of filter cake generated by a single TBM project is substantial, leading to high disposal costs. This study explores the potential of recycling filter cake as a construction material for infrastructure by comparing its physical and chemical properties with those of fresh bentonite. The swelling potential of the filter cake was significantly lower than that of fresh bentonite powder, with the filter cake exhibiting virtually no swelling. Additionally, the filter cake showed a lower zeta potential than the fresh bentonite, consistent with the swelling test results. As a preliminary evaluation, this study suggests the potential feasibility of recycling filter cake as a construction material. As a preliminary evaluation, this study suggests the feasibility of recycling filter cake as an infrastructure material.
