Geotechnical Issues concerning the material removal and reuse of Pyroclastic soils

This paper presents the results of a work developed on pyroclastic fall deposits from Sabatino volcano complex, typical of the subsoil of the area placed in the North of Rome (Italy). The particular physical and mechanical properties of the materials are related to the geological origin of the deposits, to their formation environment and mechanisms. The geotechnical description follow the scheme recently proposed on pyroclastic flow deposits. The case study concerns the material removal and reuse of pyroclastic soils for road embankments; especially the compaction issues are treated because, sometimes, these soils are not included in the specifications standards despite that overall they have good mechanical characteristics. The paper presents the results of an experimental investigation by means of laboratory and on site tests and suggest away of managing these problems.