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Geotechnical Enhancement of Oil-Contaminated Drill Cuttings using Nutrient Amendments for Sustainable Construction Applications
Abstract
This study investigates how nutrient amendments affect the geotechnical properties of oil-contaminated drill cuttings to promote their reuse in construction and land reclamation. Oil and grease in drill cuttings compromise soil strength and stability, necessitating treatment. Three nutrient types of Shearforce-1000 (SF-1000), petroleum remediation product (PRP), and velvet bean powder (VBP) were applied to assess improvements in geotechnical parameters such as yield strength, soil bearing capacity, shear stress, cohesion, angle of internal friction, liquid limit, and bulk density. Laboratory tests revealed that PRP-treated samples had yield strengths of 1 and 0.6 kN/kPa at confining pressures of 100 and 200 kPa, respectively, and reduced strength at 300 kPa (0.57 and 0.53 kN/kPa). SF-1000 and VBP followed similar trends with slightly lower values. However, the VBP-treated soil exhibited the highest bearing capacity (171 kN/m³), outperforming SF-1000 (149 kN/m³) and PRP (137 kN/m³). VBP also recorded the highest undrained cohesion and internal friction angle, indicating superior shear strength and structural stability compared to untreated samples. All nutrient amendments improved soil cohesion, decreased plasticity, and enhanced compaction, making the materials more suitable for load-bearing applications. Among the nutrients, VBP demonstrated the most effective remediation impact. Overall, the study highlights the potential of targeted nutrient treatments to transform contaminated drill cuttings into structurally stable materials suitable for engineering use, minimizing environmental impact and supporting sustainable construction practices.
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