Synergistic Effect of Pulverized Ceramic Waste and Crushed Granite on the Mechanical Performance of Ferralitic Soil for Sustainable Pavement Applications

The valorization of construction waste to improve locally available geomaterials offers a promising approach to sustainable pavement construction. This study investigates the effects of pulverized ceramic waste (PCW) and crushed granite (CG) on the mechanical performance of ferrallitic soil from Tori-Dokanmey. Two series of mixtures were evaluated: soil stabilized with PCW alone and optimized mixtures incorporating both PCW and CG. Mechanical performance was assessed at different curing ages through compressive strength, three-point flexural tensile strength, secant modulus (E50), and static elastic modulus (Est). The results showed that PCW incorporation improved the long-term mechanical properties of the soil, primarily through enhanced particle packing and reduced internal porosity. Combining CG with PCW further improved performance by forming a denser granular skeleton and facilitating stress transfer within the material. Consequently, the optimized mixtures exhibited higher compressive and flexural strengths and greater stiffness than both untreated soil and mixtures stabilized with PCW alone. These findings highlight the complementary effects of CG and PCW and their potential to enhance locally available ferrallitic soil for pavement applications, while promoting construction waste valorization and the development of sustainable road materials in tropical regions.