Use of Dune Sand Treated with Hydraulic Binders in Road Foundation Layers

Abstract

Roads represent one of the main concerns in infrastructure development, and a significant part of the overall budget is dedicated to their construction, improvement, and maintenance. The realization of flexible pavements requires large quantities of high quality materials such as aggregates and crushed sand. However, these materials are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain in the quantities needed, especially near construction sites. In order to create road layers that meet technical, mechanical, and durability requirements, it is often necessary to improve existing soils through the use of hydraulic binders, including lime and cement. This context led us to initiate our research, which provides an important opportunity to enhance and promote the use of a locally available material, namely dune sand, through appropriate treatment techniques based on hydraulic binders. At the same time, this approach helps address the growing shortage of noble materials traditionally used in pavement construction. By exploring alternative solutions and encouraging the use of local resources, our study aims to contribute to more sustainable, economical, and efficient practices in road engineering while responding to current and future challenges faced by the sector.