Avaliação do comportamento mecânico e ambiental de resíduos inorgânicos para uso em obras geotécnicas sustentáveis

The application of circular economy principles has been promoted. Environmental geotechnics may give a relevant contribution to waste and by-products valorisation through the replacement of natural aggregates. In this context, a multidisciplinary evaluation is essential to ensure safety and environmental protection. This study aims to support an informed application of certain types of waste in geotechnical works, complementing the geotechnical perspective with pertinent analyses. The materials studied were incineration bottom ash from municipal solid waste and its mixtures with sand and iron ore tailings. These wastes are abundant, and their management is not consensual. The assessment involved physical, geotechnical, chemical, and ecotoxicological characterization. The waste showed low leaching potential and did not cause relevant ecotoxic effects. The samples exhibited good one-dimensional stiffness, reasonable permeability, and shear strength similar to dense granular soils. Overall, the materials demonstrated geotechnical and environmental potential for use as sustainable construction materials in geotechnical works.