# New Frontiers in Sustainable Geotechnics
## 3 Execution of Geotechnical Works and Quality Control Procedures
### Behaviour of the Steel Welded Grid during a Simplified Pullout Test in Fine Sand [16]  
This study considered the possibility of using steel gabion baskets made of welded mesh for a soil-strengthening function. It was unequivocally stated that as the stiffness of the steel grid itself increases, its strength increases during the pullout test, which is not so obvious in the case of popular steel woven meshes. In addition, it has been shown that steel-welded meshes with wire diameters less than 6 mm are suitable for soil reinforcement in structures with gabion facing, and the determined apparent friction coefficient (\(\mu_{k}\) = 0.39-1.47) takes values similar to the friction coefficient given in references for welded meshes with larger diameters. This is a positive premise for starting further research on the use of wires of smaller diameters for welded mesh production used as soil reinforcement [16].  
Recycling of End-of-Life Tires (ELTs) for Sustainable Geotechnical Applications: A New Zealand Perspective [17]  
In this study, gravel and recycled granulated rubber were mixed to explore the possibility of obtaining synthetic granular geomaterials (with adequate geotechnical and environmental characteristics) that are suitable to act as structural fills for geotechnical applications including foundation systems for low-rise light-weight residential buildings. Moreover, an original framework with a set of geo-environmental criteria is proposed to demonstrate the use of gravel-rubber mixtures (GRMs) as structural fills [17].  
The Influences of Local Glacitectonic Disturbance on Overconsolidated Clays for Upland Slope Stability Conditions: A Case Study [18]  
This study used numerous calculation model analyses of the optional clay position in the context of slope stability conditions. A wide range of variable soil properties was taken into account, resulting from both lithogenesis and subsequent processes which disintegrate the original soil structure. Regarding the geological conditions of the slip surface, the use of classical computational methods and numerical modelling (FEM) was considered forcomparative purposes. The results indicated that local changes in equilibrium conditions were affected by the different morphologies of the clay roof surface of the slope and alterations in strength characteristics on the slip surfaces. The findings of the study contribute to the sustainable spatial planning of near-slope regions [18].  
Improving Mudstone Materials in Badland in Southwestern Taiwan by Increasing Density and Low-Cement Amount [19]  
This study aimed to offer a new solution with the use of compaction techniques and also the addition of a small amount of cement used as soil amendment. The feasibility of this concept was examined by performing a series of tests, including the basic physical property test, the compaction test, the unconfined compression test, the static triaxial CU and UU tests, the consolidation test, the California bearing ratio (CBR) test, and the triaxial permeability test. The results of consolidation and the CBR test showed that improvement is possible by using low amounts of cement. Overall, the present method not only adheres to low-carbon and environmental protection requirements, but also verifies the feasibility of using compacted mudstone as an engineering material [19].