Leaching characteristic and migration simulation of hazardous elements in recycled aggregates as subgrade scenario

Le Ding, Junhui Zhang, Qianhui Du, Chao Zhou

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Recycling construction waste into subgrade materials is an effective way to build eco-friendly highways. To assess the saturation and leaching characteristics of recycled aggregates in subgrade application scenario, leaching tests were conducted, and a numerical model was used to analyze pollution migration. Results showed that three selected typical hazardous elements (Cd, Pb, and As) exhibited different characteristics in various physical conditions, but all their concentrations remained within safe limits. Moreover, the compaction degree demonstrated an inverse relationship with initial concentrations in the multilayer leaching process. During the migration of pollutants in the subgrade, pollutants accumulated near the slope initially and gradually diffused to the bottom, then penetrated into the foundation with a migration interface in an arc shape approximately, ultimately leading to a significant accumulation area with high concentrations. The initial concentration and subgrade dispersion coefficients showed opposite effects on the pollutants migration.

Original languageEnglish
Article number138270
JournalJournal of Cleaner Production
Volume420
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 25 Sept 2023

Keywords

  • Hazardous elements
  • Leaching characteristic
  • Numerical simulation
  • Pollution migration
  • Recycled aggregates subgrade

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • General Environmental Science
  • Strategy and Management
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Leaching characteristic and migration simulation of hazardous elements in recycled aggregates as subgrade scenario'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this