Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026
06:11
Measuring Biomethane Potential of Food Scrap Waste Anaerobically Co-Digested with Waste-Activated Sludge Using Respirometry
Published on: April 26, 2024
Aging and compressibility of municipal solid wastes
Y M Chen1, Tony L T Zhan, H Y Wei
1MOE Key Laboratory of Soft Soils and Geoenvironmental Engineering, Zhejiang University, Zheda Road #38, Hangzhou 310027, China.
Waste Management (New York, N.Y.)
|April 24, 2008
Summary
Predicting landfill settlement requires considering changes in municipal solid waste (MSW) compressibility. Factors like fill age and depth significantly impact mechanical properties, improving settlement predictions.
Area of Science:
- Geotechnical Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Waste Management
Background:
- Landfill expansion necessitates accurate settlement prediction of existing waste.
- Current settlement analysis often uses a single compressibility value, leading to inaccuracies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of municipal solid waste (MSW) fill age and depth on its mechanical compressibility.
- To improve the accuracy of landfill settlement predictions by accounting for variations in MSW properties.
Main Methods:
- Collected 31 MSW borehole samples from the Qizhishan landfill in Suzhou, China, representing various fill ages and depths.
- Performed confined compression tests on samples to determine compressibility.
- Measured waste composition and volume-mass properties (unit weight, void ratio, water content).
Main Results:
- Compressible waste components (organics, plastics, paper, wood, textiles) decreased with increasing fill age.
- In situ void ratio decreased with greater embedding depth.
- The compression index (Cc) decreased from 1.0 to 0.3 with depth.
Conclusions:
- MSW compressibility is not constant and varies significantly with fill age and depth.
- Accurate landfill settlement prediction must incorporate these variations in compressibility.
- This research provides a more refined approach to landfill engineering and management.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Unsoundness of Aggregate due to Volume Change
Unsoundness in aggregates due to volume changes is primarily caused by the physical alterations aggregates undergo, such as freezing and thawing, thermal changes, and wetting and drying. Unsound aggregates, when subjected to these changes, result in volume change upon disintegration. This, in turn, contributes to the deterioration of concrete, including scaling, pop-outs, and cracking. Particular types of aggregates, such as porous flints, cherts, and those containing clay minerals, are...
01:10Moisture Content and Bulking of Aggregate
The moisture content of aggregates is a crucial factor in construction, particularly in concrete mixing, as it influences the total water required in the mix. Moisture content represents the water coated on the exterior surface of the aggregate existing in a saturated and surface-dry condition. The total water content of a moist aggregate is the sum of its moisture content and water absorption.
When aggregates are exposed to rain or sit in stockpiles, they absorb moisture, which must be...
When aggregates are exposed to rain or sit in stockpiles, they absorb moisture, which must be...
01:22Compacting Factor test
The compacting factor test is a method used to assess the workability of concrete. It is especially suitable for concrete mixes containing aggregates up to one and a half inches in size. This test involves specialized equipment consisting of two truncated cone-shaped hoppers and a cylinder, all with polished interior surfaces to minimize friction.
The procedure begins by placing concrete into the upper hopper without any compaction. Once filled, the bottom door of this hopper is opened,...
The procedure begins by placing concrete into the upper hopper without any compaction. Once filled, the bottom door of this hopper is opened,...
01:28Factors Affecting Creep
In normal-weight aggregate concrete, the hardened cement paste is the primary contributor to creep, whereas the aggregates, being stiffer than the cement paste, are more resilient to stress-induced deformation. The stiffness of the aggregates is defined by their modulus of elasticity, and the more voluminous they are in the concrete, the less it will creep.
Further, the water/cement ratio is critical, as a lower ratio increases concrete strength, thus reducing creep. The strength of the...
Further, the water/cement ratio is critical, as a lower ratio increases concrete strength, thus reducing creep. The strength of the...
01:20Strength of Cement
Strength tests for cement are not performed directly on neat cement paste due to difficulty in obtaining consistent, reliable specimens. Instead, cement is typically tested in the form of cement-sand mortar.
For compressive strength tests, ASTM C 109-05 standards prescribe a cement-sand mix ratio of 1:2.75 and a water/cement ratio of 0.485 for making 2-inch cubes. These cubes are mixed, cast, and cured in saturated lime water at 23°C until testing. Flexural strength testing, outlined in ASTM C...
For compressive strength tests, ASTM C 109-05 standards prescribe a cement-sand mix ratio of 1:2.75 and a water/cement ratio of 0.485 for making 2-inch cubes. These cubes are mixed, cast, and cured in saturated lime water at 23°C until testing. Flexural strength testing, outlined in ASTM C...
01:17Mortar Properties
Mortar properties encompass a range of characteristics crucial for construction and masonry work, including workability, water retention, bond strength, durability, compressive strength, volume change, and appearance. Workability refers to mortar's ability to be easily applied and manipulated without sagging or falling off surfaces, which is important for efficient masonry unit placement and alignment. Water retention is essential to prevent the mortar from losing moisture too quickly to the...