Characterization and valorization of dam sediments: potential use in building materials

In recent years the possibility of reusing large amounts of secondary raw materials has been investigated, as it represents an important opportunity in terms of environmental preservation. In this respect, this study aims to explore the potential use of dam sediments as a raw material (for ceramic uses such as in clay bricks, lightweight aggregates, ceramic tiles, and cementitious materials). At first, the large artificial reservoirs present at a national level were identified and investigated in terms of capacity, geological characteristics, etc. Based on this information, the Mignano reservoir (Piacenza, Italy) was identified as suitable for the irrigation of approximately 14,000 hectares at a theoretical water flow rate of approximately 0.16 liters/sec per hectare. In this reservoir, sediment sampling was carried out in three different areas: upstream, central area, and downstream. We subsequently carried out sample analysis in terms of physical-chemical and technological properties (chemical and mineralogical compositions, plasticity (Atterberg), thermal behavior, optical dilatometry, plasticity, and particle size distribution). As a result, the dam sediments investigated are mainly made up of Carbonates (22-25%), Quartz (31-33%), and Clay minerals (42-45%). Based on these findings, a feasibility study was carried out to explore the use of these sediments in the ceramic sector, particularly as partial substitutes for clay raw materials in clay brick mixtures.