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The presented experimental study, from micro to macro scale, assesses the effects of grain shape on the strength-dilatancy behaviour and physical properties of seven natural sands of different origins and mineralogical composition. The micro-scale has been characterised by processing two-dimensional image of grains, using the fractal analysis of particle contour to define their shape. The macroscopic material properties are evaluated performing direct shear tests at three different normal stresses, and measuring void ratios limit and angles of repose. An innovative method to interpret the experimental data obtained has pinpointed interesting relationships linking the morphological features of grains to the mechanical and physical properties of sands. Data confirm that the increase in grain shape irregularity produces an increase in all the variables investigated: void ratios limit, friction angles and dilatancy parameters.

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Earth Pressure Balance (EPB) Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM) are currently the most widely used machines to perform tunnel excavation, particularly in urban areas. This technology involves the injection of chemicals as conditioning mixtures, which commonly raises concerns limiting the reuse of soils after excavation. This study deals with the prospect of a simplified, rapid and replicable methodology for the evaluation of the biodegradability of these conditioning mixtures. For this purpose, the biodegradation of three commercial conditioning mixtures was investigated in closed bottle tests by investigating the effect of different mixtures dosages and two different inocula (soil humus and Bacillus Clausii). While using soil humus as inoculum, a comparative study of biodegradation of the three investigated mixtures was successfully carried out; in the case of Bacillus Clausii, it was not possible to make a comparison between the different formulations in a short time. The adoption of soil humus satisfied only the criteria of rapid test, while the Bacillus Clausii, as specific inoculum, can meet the criteria of replicable results. For this reason, in the second part of this experimental study, a rapid and replicable procedure was proposed and validated. A kinetic study of organic carbon removal was also carried out.