Design and stability analysis of copper slag embankment

Copper slag is a waste material generated during the extraction of copper from its ore. About 5000 tons of copper slag is produced per day and total accumulation to date is more than 7 million tons in India. At present, copper slag is being used for shot blasting, additive for cement manufacturing, land filling, etc., and utilized only about 10-20%. It has potential for use in road construction such as embankments, sub grade and sub base layers either as an individual material or in combination with local soil/pond ash, etc. This paper discusses the physical, chemical and geotechnical properties of copper slag, pond ash and local soil collected from Sterlite Industries (I), Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, India. Slag is mixed with local soil and pond ash in the range of 25% to 75%, and their geotechnical characteristics were investigated for their suitability in embankment construction. Technical specifications have been developed for utilization of copper slag in one of the bridge approaches along Madurai-Tuticorin expressway, NH-45B. The paper also presents the results of design and stability analysis carried out for 3m and 6m height copper slag embankment.