Multi-path Utilization of Earthwork in Pinglu Canal: Basic Problems and Solutions

Pinglu Canal is the backbone project of the New Western Land-Sea Corridor of China. The canal project generated a total of 3.39 × 108 m3 of earthwork that covers approximately 23 types of rocks and soil and is characterized by large amount, diverse composition, and scattered distribution. Currently, the earthwork is utilized mainly through landfill and reclamation (over 50%); however, basic problems exist, including a low high-quality utilization rate, lagging research on demand for earthwork-reused products, lack of innovative technologies for earthwork reuse, a low level of digitalization, and lack of carbon emission evaluation. To address these problems, this study proposes innovative solutions from the perspectives of resource utilization, digitization, and carbon reduction. First, it is necessary to explore the potential application demands for the canal project itself and surrounding areas and propose corresponding utilization paths according to different types of rock and soil, thus to achieve multi-scenario, multi-path utilization. Second, geological information models and information databases should be established for earthwork in excavation areas to help develop a digital excavation‒transportation‒storage‒utilization technology for earthwork. Moreover, it is recommended to conduct a lifecycle assessment to clarify the carbon emissions of multi-path utilization technologies, achieve a dynamic evaluation of carbon emissions by combining with the information from the earthwork databases, and develop modular mobile-type disposal equipment and in-situ utilization technologies to achieve the reduction of cost and carbon emissions. The organic combination of resource utilization, digitization, and carbon reduction is expected to provide a favorable support for the green construction of the Pinglu Canal Project.