Engineering properties of CLSM incorporating high-plasticity marine dredged soil

The disposal of large volumes of marine dredged soil from Laem Chabang port, Thailand, presents increasing environmental challenges. This research investigates the feasibility of utilising this marine dredged soil as a primary ingredient in the production of controlled low-strength material (CLSM). Various mixture proportions are developed and tested in the laboratory to evaluate the properties in both the fresh and hardened states. Two control parameters, that is, the cement-to-water and water-to-solid weight ratios, are defined to correlate the investigated material properties with variations in mixture proportions. The results indicate that the marine dredged soil is primarily suitable for producing non-excavatable CLSM, which exhibits a high modulus-to-strength ratio (E50/UCS), high absorption, and high sulfate resistance. In addition, the time of setting is found to be comparable with that of Portland cement. The relationships between the control parameters and various CLSM properties are investigated. Equations are derived to predict the flowability, bleeding, and compressive strength of the resulting CLSM. Feasible ranges of C/W and W/S ratios are proposed to produce a CLSM that complies with all acceptable performance criteria. These findings offer an innovative, sustainable scheme for reducing and reusing marine dredged soil, providing significant economic and environmental benefits.