Design of a Lined Landfill on Compressible Clays

by Gregory N. Richardson, Westinghouse, United States,
Richard T. Reynolds, Westinghouse, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Serviceability and Durability of Construction Materials

Abstract:

In mid-August, 1989, a 500,000m³ landslide occurred at a commercially operated landfill in central Maine. The landslide material consisted of municipal solid waste (MSW) that rested on a thick deposit of weak marine clay-silt that provided a natural barrier to leachate seepage. During the slide, huge vertical crevices formed in the landfill. MSW dropped 6 to 9 meters into scarps formed in the underlying clay as the soil slid out from underneath the landfill. The total MSW area of movement exceeded 40,000m² and resulted in the destruction of an adjacent 28,000m² lined lateral expansion cell under construction. This paper summarizes the geotechnical evaluation performed to define stability and settlement considerations required in the design of a new lined landfill at this site.

Subject Headings: Soil compression | Municipal wastes | Landfills | Soil settlement | Clays | Soil stabilization | Landslides | Maine | United States

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