Geotechnical improvement of dune sand embankments using rubber crumb and brick powder: RSM vs. ANN-GA hybrid optimization

Fatima Zohra Benamara; Chiraz Kechkar; Messaouda Boumaaza; Ahmed Belaadi; Mohamed Sahraoui; Mostefa Hani; Ibrahim M H Alshaikh; Sarra Mezaouri; Lina Zaidi; Djamel Ghernaout; Yazid Chetbani

doi:10.1038/s41598-025-33017-3

Geotechnical improvement of dune sand embankments using rubber crumb and brick powder: RSM vs. ANN-GA hybrid optimization

Sci Rep. 2025 Dec 29;16(1):3144. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-33017-3.

Authors

Fatima Zohra Benamara^{1

2}, Chiraz Kechkar^{1

2}, Messaouda Boumaaza^{1

2}, Ahmed Belaadi³, Mohamed Sahraoui⁴, Mostefa Hani⁵, Ibrahim M H Alshaikh⁶, Sarra Mezaouri⁷, Lina Zaidi², Djamel Ghernaout⁸, Yazid Chetbani⁹

Affiliations

¹ Civil and Hydraulic Engineering Department, 8 mai 1945 Guelma University, Guelma, Algeria.
² Laboratory of Civil Engineering and Hydraulic (LGCH), 8 mai 1945 Guelma University, Guelma, Algeria.
³ Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Technology, University 20 August 1955- Skikda, El-Hadaiek, Skikda, Algeria. ahmedbelaadi1@yahoo.fr.
⁴ Institute of Architecture and Urbanism, Saad Dahlab Blida 1 University, Blida, Algeria.
⁵ Department of Civil Engineering, Eskisehir Technical University, 26555, Eskisehir, Turkey.
⁶ Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Science and Technology (USTY), Sana'a, Yemen. ibrahimalshaikh86@gmail.com.
⁷ Smart Structures Laboratory (SSL), Aïn-Temouchent University, P. Box: 284, Aïn-Temouchent, 46000, Algeria.
⁸ Chemical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, University of Ha'il, PO Box 2440, Ha'il, 81441, Saudi Arabia.
⁹ Centre de Recherche scientifique et Technique en Analyses Physico- Chimiques (CRAPC), Technical Platform for Physicochemical Analysis, University Center N°02, University of Laghouat, Laghouat, 03000, Algeria.

Abstract

The increasing need for efficient and sustainable construction materials has prompted the investigation of local and recycled resources to improve the characteristics of poor soils. This research aims to enhance dune sand (DS)-a plentiful yet geotechnically weak material-by integrating rubber crumb (RC) and brick powder (BP), with the objectives of soil stability and waste valorization. Experimental formulations were created with RC at concentrations of 10%, 30%, and 50%, and BP at concentrations of 1%, 2%, and 3%. A response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN) techniques were utilized to examine the influences of RC and BP content on three primary responses: maximum dry density (MDD), internal friction angle (ϕ), and cohesion (C). Ideal conditions with 40.7% RC and 3% BP were achieved through optimization utilizing RSM and ANN-GA, greatly enhancing compaction and shear strength for geotechnical applications. According to Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), a high CR content raises energy consumption (E-Energy) and greenhouse gas emissions (E-CO₂), primarily as a result of rubber recycling. However, the reduction in sand mining and the diversion of tyre waste balance these effects. Therefore, the combination of RC with BP is turning out to be a viable and efficient infrastructure solution, especially in dry regions.

Keywords: Artificial neural network (ANN); Brick powder additive; Dune sand stabilization; Geotechnical optimization; Life cycle assessment.; Response surface methodology (RSM); Rubber crumb recycling; Sustainable civil engineering.