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Innovation

Geotechnical

EIC Activities

16 February 2025

Finding a sustainable way to stabilise landfill for construction

CIMIC Group’s EIC Activities is partnering with the University of Technology Sydney's Nutrients in a Circular Economy (NiCE) ARC Hub to find a sustainable way to stabilise landfill sites for construction.

Recent research results have been positive which demonstrate the chemistry underpinning an innovative and sustainable solution to use urine from wastewater as a stabilising agent for ground strengthening.

The problem about landfill

Rapid urbanisation is increasingly leading to construction occurring on challenging ground like landfill sites which have weak strength and are prone to concerning levels of settlement.

Conventional methods to strengthen landfill sites prior to construction are very time consuming, cause excessive vibration or rely heavily on cement, which has a large carbon footprint - cement production is responsible for 8% of global carbon dioxide emissions.

Bio-cementation as a solution

The NiCE Hub research team has made significant progress in investigating the chemistry behind a sustainable bio-cementation technique using urine found in wastewater for enhancing the engineering properties of closed landfill sites for future redevelopments.

The technique precipitates calcium carbonate within the pores of the landfill waste material - utilising natural biogeochemical processes and offering a sustainable and eco-friendly approach to ground improvement.

The bio-cementation technique developed by NiCE Hub research offers not only to help reduce the carbon footprint of construction, but also provides a sustainable alternative solution for ground stabilisation in developing and underdeveloped countries where cement is not readily available.

The NiCE Hub research project addresses six Sustainable Development Goals including Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9), Reducing Inequality (SDG 10), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), Climate Action (SDG 13), and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17).

The research is led by Behzad Fatahi and Hadi Khabbaz from UTS and EIC Activities Technical Directors Jeff Hsi and Reza Karimi.

You can find more information about the NiCE Hub research project here.

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