Geotechnical properties of soil-like material derived from processed waste and the potential for degradation-induced settlement

I.R. Fleming, A. Hammerlindl, D. Parker

In the proceedings of: GeoManitoba 2012: 65th Canadian Geotechnical Conference

Session: M3C - GeoEnvironmental II

ABSTRACT: Excavation and screening of waste from two disposal sites, one each in Canada and the USA resulted in large quantities sconsisting primarily of soil and soil-like material with some organics and a small proportion of debris, typically small fragments of wood, brick and plastic. The geotechnical properties of both materials have been evaluated: for one case, because this material has been used as engineered fill in an housing development; and in the other case to evaluate potential uses for the material which is produced in quantities greater than can be used for daily cover and related purposes. Bulk samples of each material were placed in a large compression cell and loaded, with conditions optimized for biodegradation to determine the potential for long term settlement as a result of biological degradation of the organic fraction. The response of the samples to loading and degradation was determined. When the testing results are evaluated in the context of the expected performance of the materials as engineered fills, it is evident that the amount of degradation-induced settlement will be small, and reuse of these materials should not be prevented on the basis of their geotechnical properties. This work potentially has wide application and significance as the construction -use of soils containing organics.

RÉSUMÉ: Excavation et criblage des matériaux provenant de deux sites au Canada et aux États-Unis a entraîné des quantités de matériel fine consistant principalement en sol et matériel inert avec une fraction des composés organiques, de débris, de petits fragments de bois et de plastique. Les propriétés géotechniques ont été évaluées pour avec des conditions optimisées pour la biodégradation pour déterminer le potentiel de déplacement à long terme en raison de la dégradation biologique de la fraction organique. Lorsque les résultats sont évalués dans le contexte de la performance attendue des matériaux comme remblais artificiels, il est évident que le montant de déplacement induit par la dégradation sera faible, et ne faut pas empêcher la réutilisation de ces matériaux sur la base de leurs propriétés géotechniques. Ce travail a potentiellement des applications et de l'importance pour l'évolution de l'industrie de la construction des pratiques « plus vert », dont l'utilisation ou la réutilisation des sols contenant des matières organiques.

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