Engineering aspects of an ash refuse tip observed with microscopic techniques

The engineering aspects of ash made ground (MG) are unique and desirable and provide an opportunity for re-use as a stable load-bearing substrate. Validation of the relative level of compaction in situ relies on laboratory testing of these soils. Ash MG samples were obtained from a former refuse tip and dried at two temperatures (110°C and 40°C). Samples were prepared and examined using Nano X-ray Computed Tomography (NXCT), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X- ray Diffraction (XRD) to understand the soil microstructure, specifically to calculate the void ratio and particle morphology. In addition, a series of laboratory tests and site tests were conducted to investigate their mechanical properties when subjected to different drying temperatures, which have shown variation in some of the test results.