Change of mechanical properties during short-term natural weathering of MSWI bottom ash

The present work describes the change of mechanical properties during the natural weathering of freshly quenched processed bottom ash. An unconfined uniaxial compression to failure test of the unbound material was used to determine compressive strength and modulus of elasticity. Three main stages of mechanical behavior were determined. In the first stage, during a period lower than 30 days, mechanical properties suddenly increase, with a compressive strength and elastic modulus 7 times greater than the initial parameters. During the second stage, compressive strength and modulus of elasticity lightly increase until approximately 90 days of curing time. Starting from this period both mechanical properties remain steady and independent of the curing time. The neoformed phases, the elevated water content, and the improvement of particle contact after compaction act as a binder layer among particles, increasing the mechanical parameters during the short-term natural weathering process. Because of this, the freshly compacted bottom ash progresses from behaving as an unbound material into a bound pavement material. These mechanical properties obtained from freshly quenched bottom ash are 6-7 times greater than those obtained from previously weathered bottom ash. The bottom ash expansion and leaching of metals were also evaluated.