Sustainable Soil Stabilization and Pavement Improvement Using Quarry Dust, Copper Slag, Fly Ash, and Plastic Waste: A Review

Expansive soils pose significant challenges to infrastructure development due to their swelling and shrinkage behavior. This review explores the utilization of waste materials such as Quarry Dust (QD), Copper Slag (CS), Fly Ash (FA), and Plastic Waste (PW) for soil stabilization and pavement construction. Quarry Dust enhances soil strength and compaction characteristics, with optimal improvements observed at 10-40% replacement levels. Copper Slag, with its high stability and interlocking properties, significantly improves the load-bearing capacity of subgrades. Fly Ash, particularly in high volumes, reduces soil plasticity and increases strength, contributing to sustainable construction. Additionally, Plastic Waste, when used as a modifier in bituminous pavements, enhances Marshall Stability, reduces deformation, and prolongs pavement lifespan. Comparative studies demonstrate that combining these materials provides economical and eco-friendly alternatives for subgrade stabilization and pavement construction. This review highlights the mechanical and durability benefits of using industrial and plastic waste, promoting sustainable development in road infrastructure.