Tunnelling muck classification:definition and application.

Excavated material management represents today a key issue due to environmental constraints and to the claim for possible reuse. Therefore, the knowledge of muck characteristics has become a topic of high interest. The muck can show different properties and behaviour, mainly due to the local geology, to the excavation mode and to the possible treatment. On the basis of the properties and of the possible local or remote recycling, the spoil can be processed in a treatment plant or sent to disposal. As the ground types can change along the tunnel, it is important to assess its variability in order to adapt the plant capability for producing a suitable by-product. For these reasons, a procedure for classifying the spoil from tunnelling is proposed (TMC). It represents a simple and practical tool for correlating ground type, possible muck destination and treatment type. Testing plan of the materials for the possible different muck destination should be compiled and conditions for safe waste disposal should be analysed as well.