Foundry sand, a by-product of metal casting, can be reused in approved construction applications instead of being sent for disposal. Image credits: Wikimedia Commons
One example comes from Ohio, along State Route 271. Because it was readily available and because they judged its strength and permeability suitable for the repair, oDOT engineers chose the sand. Road embankments must withstand traffic loads, changing weather, and the movement of water through the soil. When one fails, engineers must find a fill material that provides stability and meets construction requirements. The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) used recycled foundry sand to repair the failed embankment. Laboratory testing helped evaluate the foundry sand
The above-mentioned report lists a contractor bid of $8.60 per cubic yard for the delivered sand on the State Route 271 project. The State Route 271 repair shows how an industrial by-product can be used in highway construction once its properties have been evaluated. Because the results describe this particular material, the project works best as one documented example, not as proof that foundry sand will perform the same way everywhere.
Any reuse must meet requirements that protect human health and the environment. That price applied to this project only. It is not a current price, and it does not guarantee that foundry sand will always cost less than conventional fill. The report concluded that recycled foundry sand is an adequate material for highway embankments and is cost-effective when a project is near a foundry site. Testing established the sand’s suitability, and moisture control supported adequate compaction.