The Sustainable Materials in Earthwork Engineering--Application of Anthropogenic Soils

Dear Colleagues,

Earthwork engineering is one of the most material-consuming branches of the construction industry. Traditionally, natural aggregates have been the source of the content for earthworks. Unfortunately, the use of such deposits depletes the natural reserves. For sustainable development, engineers have to apply recycling methods that use man-made materials.

The successful application of anthropogenic soils requires extensive preliminary studies covering their mechanical, physical, and chemical properties. The earthen structures constructed with the use of such materials need to be resistant to structural loads and environmentally friendly.

In order to achieve such a goal, the research focus should be directed towards the analysis of structural performance, design analysis, numerical modeling, and material properties.

For example, studies should consider the following areas: (1) the mechanical properties of compacted soil and soil mixtures, such as veering capacity, stiffness, and compressibility; (2) chemical composition, leaching properties, permeability, and seepage, (3) grain crushability and shape based on the technological process and other factors.

The aim of sustainable materials in earthwork engineering is the ability to re-use materials that are by-products of manufacturing, mineral extraction, demolition, and any other process where the material is no longer serving its purpose. Earthwork engineering represents a place where a great quantity of such materials may be recycled. In this context, there is a great need for deeper knowledge concerning anthropogenic soils in the field. This Special Issue aims to collect contributions that further the understanding of these sustainable materials.

Studies are welcome that address at least one of the following topics:

• Mechanical properties of the anthropogenic soil, as determined by laboratory and in situ testing, as well as the numerical analysis of whole earthen constructions.
• Chemical properties in which the impact of the chemical composition and water flow will highlight the environmental impact of the anthropogenic soils.
• Physical properties where the soil particles and grains are studied in order to understand the anthropogenic soils from a micromechanical perspective.

Experimental investigations, mathematical descriptions, and case studies that propose general procedures that could be applied in earthwork engineering are all welcome.

We would like to encourage geotechnical engineers, waste engineers, pavement engineers, material researchers, and contractors to contribute their research results and to report their experiences. We believe that this Special Issue will significantly impact the field of man-made materials in earthwork engineering.

Thank you for your contributions.

Dr. Andrzej Głuchowski
Dr. Wojciech Sas
Guest Editors

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