A method for recycling pond bottom sediment and embankment excavation soil into high-performance ground materials.
<Overview of the Technology>
The Bontelan method is a technology that repurposes bottom sediment accumulated in agricultural ponds or excavation soil from embankments, which are traditionally deemed unsuitable for use as fill, into high-performance ground materials for the repair and reinforcement of embankments.
<Purpose and Objectives of Development>
The repair of agricultural pond embankments requires high-quality soil with excellent strength and impermeability; however, it has become difficult to obtain such soil around these ponds. On the other hand, these ponds often have thick deposits of bottom sediment, which can lead to reduced water storage capacity and deteriorating water quality, thereby hindering or diminishing the functionality of the ponds. Bottom sediment typically contains a high proportion of clay and silt, and due to its generally high water content, it is not easy to dispose of. Therefore, there has been a demand for technology that actively repurposes this material into ground materials from environmental and economic perspectives.
In response, we developed the Bontelan method by mixing and stirring fiber-based soil improvement material "Bonfiber" and a solidifying agent into the bottom sediment of agricultural ponds, thereby adding excellent strength characteristics, high seismic resistance, and high durability.
There was no earthquake damage to all embankment fill and pond embankment construction carried out using this method before the earthquake. In the 2011 Construction Technology Forum, it was selected as one of six technologies from a total of 165 submissions as a "technology that proved effective during the Great East Japan Earthquake."