An eco-friendly epoxy polymer binder for the treatment of Tunisian harbor sediments: Laboratory investigations for beneficial reuse

Abstract

The management of dredged sediments poses serious environmental and economic problems because of their geochemical properties and in particular their pollutant content. In this research, marine sediments from Tunisian harbors were collected to study their beneficial reuse as construction materials using an eco-friendly polymer binder. Experimental investigations include the determination of physicochemical, mineralogical, and environmental parameters of sediments from the Sidi Mansour and Sidi Youssef areas in Tunisia. Prismatic mortar samples (4 × 4 × 16 cm) were prepared at laboratory scale using normalized sand and epoxy resin. Then their composition was modified by including a sediment fraction in the substitution of sand at rates ranging from 10 to 50% in dry mass. After a 7-day curing period, mortar samples were submitted to mechanical, physicochemical, and environmental analyses. Mortar samples including sediment fractions displayed lower strength than sand mortar used as control. This result is explained by the increase of porosity values in the mortar samples when sediment samples were incorporated. A positive relationship between porosity and compressive strength values was evidenced, suggesting that the compactness of granular skeleton could play an important role in the preparation of materials. From an environmental point of view, the mortar samples containing sediment fractions showed relatively low leaching levels, which confirms their suitability for the manufacturing of construction materials.

Review of advanced cementitious composites using water soluble polymer based admixture

“…Polymers are frequently utilized because they are economical 106,107 and environmentally beneficial. [108][109][110] Polymer-modified mortar (PMM) is made by combining a polymer modification with polymeric cement mortar, such as poly vinyl acetate (VAc), vinyl ester of versatic acid (VeoVa), acrylic, SB latex, and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVAc). A polymer called EVAc is frequently used to enhance the properties of concrete mortar as well as cement.…”

“…Some polymer materials are often used to modify and improve cement‐based materials' rheological characteristics, setting time, mechanical characteristics, and toughness 4,96–105 and progressively create novel organic as well as inorganic composite cement‐based materials. Polymers are frequently utilized because they are economical 106,107 and environmentally beneficial 108–110 . Polymer‐modified mortar (PMM) is made by combining a polymer modification with polymeric cement mortar, such as poly vinyl acetate (VAc), vinyl ester of versatic acid (VeoVa), acrylic, SB latex, and ethylene vinyl acetate (EVAc).…”

Stabilization/solidification of sediments: challenges and novelties

“…Partial or total substitution of natural sand as aggregate in mortars, concretes or in unfired bricks is a common valorization of dredged sediments [87][88][89][90][91], with actual production of effective harbors' accropodes [84], pedestrian and vehicles pavers [92], synthetic cobblestones [93] or eco-friendly foamed concrete [94]. In some cases, a synthetic polymer replaces Portland cement to produce polymer mortars with epoxy resin [95,96], or floor-covering concrete tiles with polyester resin [97]. Silt content and soluble organic matter, two intrinsically linked parameters, may impair mechanical and durability properties of produced mortars and concretes (hydration, setting time, compressive strength, shrinkage strain).…”

Assessment of Dynamic Surface Leaching of Monolithic Polymer Mortars Comprised of Wastes

“…The results highlighted that sediments can most suitably be substituted for 5% of the cement used. Lightweight aggregates manufactured from dredged sediments have been studied in many research works [ 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ], and the results have shown their suitability for large-scale production due to their availability, homogeneity, mineralogical and chemical composition.…”