Project Status: Complete
Project Participants: Alcoa, GHD
Project Leader: Dick van Beers (GHD)
The value case for development of bauxite residue as ReSand® has been well documented by CSRP. Main Roads WA has completed preliminary testing confirming its suitability as a well drained sub-grade material and potentially a future source of base course material. It was important to trial the material in a real-life road construction project to better understand the handling properties of the material and then allow detailed performance monitoring under normal traffic loading. Stages 1 and 2 of the Greenlands Road Upgrade were identified as a potential demonstration project. Success of the trial will provide a platform for the development of larger scale applications of ReSand® in road construction in Western Australia.
Phase 1 included project planning and management and a review of all the relevant information and laboratory analysis data held by Alcoa on ReSand®. Comparison against relevant screening guidelines was carried out and a review of ground investigation data and geochemical testing was carried out by Main Roads WA in the site area. An interim report was prepared detailing the assessment completed and made recommendations for execution of Phase 2 of the project. Phase 2 was contingent on agreement of all parties to continue, and this was obtained.
Phase 2 included a review of the potential negative environmental impacts identified in Phase 1, a review of international experiences with using industrial inorganic by-products, recommendations on the use of ReSand® at the site and an outline of a monitoring program. A final report based upon the findings of both Phase 1 and Phase 2 has been produced and is supplementary to the Environmental Impact Assessment report produced by GHD.
CSRP, in collaboration with Alcoa, supplied approximately 2,500 cubic metres of ReSand® to Main Roads WA for trial use in the widening of a road near Pinjarra, south of Perth. The road will undergo monitoring over the coming months and further trials have been suggested. Utilisation of large volumes of bauxite residue by-products by the construction industry will reduce disposal requirements and utilise an untapped resource.