SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1990
STP25301S

Geotechnics of Waste Fill

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Geotechnical investigations of waste fills are rarely undertaken, and consequently far too little is known by the geotechnical community about the engineering properties of fill, particularly waste fill such as refuse and woodwaste. In many communities waste fills are being used to create recreational areas to elevations significantly above the original terrain. Slope stability then becomes an important consideration. In addition many communities have expanded to encompass waste fill areas once thought to be beyond the limits of development. The engineering properties and long-term behaviour of these fill areas are therefore important to land use considerations.

In 1983 the authors initiated a programme of investigations of the geotechnical properties of waste materials. Particular emphasis was placed on refuse landfills and woodwastes such as barkfill (hogfuel), sludge and ash wastes. Novel equipment and methods had to be introduced both in the field and in the laboratory. The field investigations were carried out in waste fills across Canada. Much of this work had to be concerned with the development of suitable equipment and test procedures.

It is concluded that geotechnical investigations of these unusual and difficult materials are feasible, as long as it is recognized that conventional testing methods and analyses may not apply and that a different approach is required. No direct evidence was found that the shear strength of refuse changes with the degree of decomposition.

Author Information

Landva, AO
Clark, JI
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Details
Developed by Committee: D18
Pages: 86–103
DOI: 10.1520/STP25301S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-5130-7
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-1285-8