Durability and life-cycle evaluation of high-plasticity clays treated with zeolite as partial replacement of cementitious stabilizers

• Zeolite is recommended as a partial replacement for cement for road base and sub-bases. • An optimal 30% zeolite replacement enhances durability, minimizing mass loss effects. • Optimal zeolite use stabilizes modulus, enhancing durability, pressure wave velocity and constrained modulus across wet-dry cycles. • Zeolite reduces costs and emissions, offering a sustainable construction solution. The durability and mechanical properties of high-plasticity clay stabilized with a combination of cement and zeolite additives were evaluated after cycles of wet-dry conditions with the goal of identifying the optimal dosage of Zeolite for road construction. The accumulated loss of mass ( ALM ), pressure wave velocity ( V P ), and constrained modulus (C M ) were adopted as key parameters to assess the durability of soil mixtures. The ALM measures durability by weight loss during W–D cycles, while V P and CM from ultrasonic tests were measured after each cycle to evaluate stiffness and strength. Results demonstrated that a 30% replacement of lime by zeolite resulted in an optimal dosage to reduce ALM and increase V P and CM . Furthermore, life cycle assessment and life cycle cost analyses revealed a substantial decrease in carbon emissions (up to 62%), and cost savings (up to 54%) could be reached with increased zeolite content in the mixture. These environmental and economic benefits support the Incorporation of zeolite into stabilizer mixtures for road construction. Finally, the results indicate that 30% zeolite replacement enhances durability and mechanical properties and also contributes to sustainable and low-carbon construction. It is suggested that the research could benefit other fields in terms of using the concept of incorporating the stabilizing agent in the form of waste to make it more eco-friendly for construction activities, thus providing an economical means for construction with reduced carbon emissions.