Unit weight of municipal solid waste

Dimitrios Zekkos, Jonathan D. Bray, Edward Kavazanjian, Neven Matasovic, Ellen M. Rathje, Michael F. Riemer, Kenneth H. Stokoe

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

227 Scopus citations

Abstract

The unit weight of municipal solid waste (MSW) is an important parameter in engineering analyses of landfill performance, but significant uncertainty currently exists regarding its value. A careful review of reliable field data shows that individual landfills have a characteristic MSW unit weight profile. Based on in situ unit weight data and trends observed in large-scale laboratory tests, a hyperbolic relationship was developed to represent this characteristic MSW unit weight profile. Within the context of this characteristic profile, landfill-specific values of MSW unit weight depend primarily on waste composition, operational practices (i.e., compaction, cover soil placement, and liquids management), and confining stress. Guidance is provided for developing landfill-specific MSW unit weight profiles, including procedures for performing large-scale tests for in situ measurement of MSW unit weight at a landfill.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1250-1261
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume132
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 1 2006

Keywords

  • Density
  • Landfills
  • Municipal wastes
  • Waste management
  • Waste sites
  • Weight

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology
  • General Environmental Science

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