OPPORTUNITIES FOR
THE USE OF
GEOSYNTHETICS
IN WASTE MANAGEMENT
FACILITIES
By
Bob Landreth
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Cincinnati, OH
SECOND INTERNATIONAL
HIGH-PERFORMANCE FABRICS CONFERENCE
Sponsored By
The Industrial Fabrics Association International
November 12-13,1992
The Lenox Hotel
Boston, Massachusetts U.S.A.
-------
Opportunities for Use of Geosynthetics in
Waste Management Facilities
Robert E. Landreth
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Risk Reduction Engineering Laboratory
Cincinnati, Ohio 45268
ABSTRACT
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency throjjgh its research and field
experiences has developed control strategies for hazardous and municipal solid
waste landfills and surface impoundments. These control strategies include liner
and cover systems. The liner systems include double liners for hazardous waste
and a single composite liner for municipal solid waste. The purpose of each
individual component will be discussed with options for using natural in-situ
materials or geosynthetics. Although natural soils are used as various
components, emphasis has been placed on the use of geosynthetics, including
geomembranes, geonets, geotextiles, and plastic pipes. Cover systems for both
hazardous and municipal waste facilities are based on a multilayer design. The
multilayer component characteristics, including performance, thickness and
material type will be discussed. These designs include both natural soils and
geosynthetics.
It has been demonstrated with field data that the development of construction
quality control/quality assurance will improve the performance of the disposal
facility. The improved performance of the waste management facility reinforces
the confidence of designers as they understand the limits of designing with
geosynthetics.
Information on design and construction has been assembled into technical resource
and guidance documents. The documents present summaries of state-of-the-art
technologies and evaluation techniques determined by the Agency to constitute
good engineering designs, practices, and procedures. The availability of the
documents will also be discussed.
INTRODUCTION
Waste is generated at all levels of society. This waste may be either industry
related or municipally generated. Both types of wastes may contain a variety of
potential pollutants. In the United States of America these wastes are managed
by landfills, surface impoundments and waste piles. The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency through its research and field experiences have developed
control strategies to prevent potential pollutants from escaping into the
environment.
The control strategies for waste management facilities include liner and cover
systems. These systems are designed for long-term performance. In addition, for
those containment systems for hazardous and toxic wastes, redundancy is designed
into the containment systems to help ensure against major releases to the
environment.
-------
Field experience has clearly demonstrated that the development of construction
quality control and quality assurance programs will improve the waste management
facility performance.
This paper will present current designs for bottom and top containment systems,
ideas and concepts for quality control/quality assurance programs and available
technical guidance documents to support the designs and programs.
BOTTOM CONTAINMENT DESIGNS
The basic bottom liner design, for hazardous waste landfills, is two or more
liners with a leachate collection system above and between the li'ners. The
redundancy aspect of the design is that if the top liner does not perform as
designed, then the second leachate collection system will alert appropriate
personnel while corrective actions are implemented. The bottom liner in this
design is assumed to contain the waste until the corrective action is in place.
The design was reviewed and modeled in saturated and unsaturated hydraulic flow
conditions. The result of these studies is the current recommended design of a
double liner which has a bottom composite liner and a top geomembrane, Figure 1.
The composite bottom liner is one that consists of a geomembrane in intimate
contact with a compacted, low permeability natural soil. The composite liner
design has been determined to-be more hydraulically efficient than the
geomembrane or natural soil liner working independently.
LinerSystems for Hazardous Hastes
The liner system currently being used by most hazardous waste management
facilities incorporate in descending order a filter layer, followed by a primary
leachate collection and removal system (LCRS), a primary geomembrane, a leak
detection, collection and removal system (LCDRS), and a composite liner above the
native soil foundation (EPA, 1987). The composite liner is defined as a
geomembrane and a compacted, low hydraulic conductivity (k < IxlO"7 cm/sec)
natural soil.
In bottom liner systems for construction and field seaming purposes, the
geomembrane is to be at least 6.75 mm (30 mils) thick or 1.12 mm (45 mils) thick
if left exposed to the elements for more than 30 days. These thicknesses may not
be suitable for all geomembrane materials. The required geomembrane thickness
will depend on the site-specific design, installation/construction concerns,
seamability, and long-term durability.
Ljmer. Systems for Municjpal Solid Wastes
Liner systems for municipal solid wastes may have different designs based on site
specific considerations including geology, hydrology and climatic conditions.
Two basic approaches are used in the United States. The first is a generic
design. This design has a composite liner system that is designed and
constructed to maintain less than 30-cm (12-in) depth of leachate over the liner.
The second approach based on performance consists of liners and leachate
collection systems to ensure that the concentration values of selected chemicals
will not be exceeded at some point on the owner/operator's property.
-------
optional soil
protectivs cover
filter layer
(soil or geosynthetic}
permeability soil r
primary liner
(geomembrane)
secondary liner
(composite geomembrans & soi
Isachata collection
and removal system
(soil or gecsynthetic)
leak detection, collection
and removal system
(soil or geosynthetic)
Figure 1. Schematic of Double Liner System.
optional soil
protective cover
filter layer
(soil or geosynthetic)
liner (composite
geomembrane & soil)
leachate collection
and removal system
(soil or geosynthetic)
Figure 2. Generic Liner Design for Nonhazardous Waste Facility.
155
-------
Generic Design: A composite liner is shown schematically in Figure 2 and is
defined as consisting of two components; the upper component is a geomembrane
with a minimum of 0.75 mm (30 mil) thickness, the lower component consists of at
least a 60 cm (24 inches) layer of compacted soil with a hydraulic conductivity
less than or equal to a 1 x 10"7 cm/sec. The required geomembrane thickness will
depend upon the site-specific design, installation/construction concerns,
seamability and long-term durability. The geomembrane must be installed in
direct and uniform contact with the compacted soil component so as to minimize
the migration of leachate through potential defects in the geomembrane. A
leachate collection and removal system (LCRS) should be located immediately above
the composite liner to control the level of leachate on the liner.
t
Performance Based Design: The second design allows the owner operator of the
proposed municipal solid waste landfill (MSWLF) to demonstrate that the design is
protective of human health and the environment with respect to ground water
quality downgradient from the landfill. The nature of the demonstration is
essentially an assessment of the landfill leachate characteristics, the potential
for leakage from the landfill of that leachate to ground water and an assessment
of the anticipated fate and transport of those constituents to the proposed point
of compliance at the facility. Inherent to this type of approach, is the need to
obtain sufficient site specific data to adequately characterize the existing
ground water quality, the pre-existing ground water regime (flow direction,
horizontal and vertical gradients, hydraulic conductivity, specific yield and
aquifer thickness). The assessment should consider the effects that construction
of the MSWLF may have on the groundwater system. The major consideration here,
for shallow groundwater systems, is the local capturing of precipitation that
normally would have infiltrated as a source of groundwater recharge. An
assessment of leakage from the proposed liner and leachate collection design
should be based on empirical data from other existing operational facilities of
similar design that have the capability of leak detection monitoring. In lieu of
the existence or availability of such information, analytical approaches based on
conservative assumptions may need to be conducted to estimate anticipated leakage
rates. Given known source concentrations, groundwater and soil parameters, and
the hydraulic gradients, a simple and hopefully conservative assessment of
downgradient concentration at specific times and distances from the source can be
conducted. Either one dimensional or two dimensional advection/dispersion
contaminant transport methods may be used. The analysis should be performed by
qualified professionals and may entail hypothetical computer simulations of
groundwater flow and transport.
TOP COVER SYSTEM DESIGNS
Proper closure is essential to complete a landfill. Research has established
minimum requirements needed to meet the stringent, necessary, closure criteria
for both hazardous and nonhazardous waste landfills in the United States. In
designing the landfill cover, the objective is to limit the infiltration of water
to the waste so as to limit creation of leachate that might possibly escape to
groundwater sources.
The cover system must be devised at the time the site is selected and the plan
and design of the landfill containment structure is chosen. The location, the
availability of low-hydraulic conductivity soil, the stockpiling of good topsoil,
-------
the availability and use of geosynthetics to improve performance of the cover
system, the height restrictions to provide stable slopes, and the use of the site
after the postclosure care period are typical considerations. The goals of the
cover system are to minimize further maintenance and to protect human health and
the environment.
Cover System for Hazardous Wastes
The closure of a hazardous waste landfill will normally have as its main criteria
the minimization of moisture into the facility. Allowing moisture into a
hazardous waste facility will subject the waste to leaching of potentially toxic
pollutants into the leachate. Minimizing leachates in a closed waste management
unit requires that liquids be kept out and that the leachate that does exist be
detected, collected, and removed. Where the waste is above the ground-water
zone, a properly designed and maintained cover can prevent (for practical
purposes) water from entering the landfill and, thus, minimize the formation of
leachate.
The current recommended design, Figure 3, is a multilayered system consisting of,
from bottom to top:
A Low-Hydraulic Conductivity Geomembrane/Soil Layer. A 60-cm (24-
in.) layer of compacted natural or amended soil with a hydraulic
conductivity of 1 x 10"7 cm/sec in intimate contact with a minimum
0.5 mm (20-mil) geomembrane liner.
A Drainage Layer. A minimum 30-cm (12-in.) soil layer having a
minimum hydraulic conductivity of 1 x 10"2 cm/sec, or a layer of
geosynthetic material having the same hydraulic characteristics.
A Top. Vegetation/Soil Layer. A top layer with vegetation (or an
armored top surface) and a minimum of 60 cm (24 in. ) of soil graded
at a slope between 3 and 5 percent.
Because the design of the final cover must consider the site, the weather, the
character of the waste, and,other site-specific conditions, these minimum
recommendations may be altered. Design innovation is encouraged to meet site
specific criteria. For example, in extremely arid regions, a gravel top surface
might compensate for reduced vegetation, or the middle drainage layer might be
expendable. Where burrowing animals might damage the geomembrane/low-
permeability soil layer, a biotic barrier layer of large-sized cobbles may be
needed above it. Where the type of waste may create gases, soil or geosynthetic
vent structures would need to be included.
Cover Systems for Nonhazardous Waste
The cover system in nonhazardous waste landfills will be a function of the bottom
liner system and the liquids management strategy for the specific site. If the
bottom liner system contains a geomembrane, then the cover system should contain
a geomembrane to prevent the "bathtub" effect. Likewise, if the bottom liner
system is a natural soil liner, then the cover system barrier should be
hydraulically equivalent to or less permeable than the bottom liner system. A
-------
vegetation/soil
top layer
drainage layer
low-permeability
geomembrane/
soli layer
waste
Jiz_
60cm (24 in.) .
~~ -*- filter layer
30cm (12 in.)
_^ 0.5-mm (20-mil)
60cm (24 in.) .^membrane
Figure 3, USEPA-Recommended Landfill Cover Design.
158
-------
geomembrane used in the cover will prevent the infiltration of moisture to the
waste below and may contribute to the collection of waste decomposition gases,
therefore necessitating a gas collection layer.
There are at least two options to consider under a liquids management strategy,
mummification and recirculation. In the mummification approach the cover system
is designed, constructed, and maintained to prevent moisture infiltration to the
waste below. The waste will eventually approach and remain in a state of
"mummification" until the cover system is breached and moisture enters the
landfill. A continual maintenance program is necessary to maintain the cover
system in a state of good repair so that the waste does not decompose to generate
leachate and gas.
t
The recirculation concept results in the rapid physical, chemical, and biological
stabilization of the waste. To accomplish this, a moisture balance is maintained
within the landfill that will accelerate these stabilization processes. This
approach requires geomembranes in both the bottom and top control systems to
prevent leachate from getting out and excess moisture from getting in. In
addition, the system needs a leachate collection and removal system on the bottom
and a leachate injection system on the top, maintenance of this system for a
number of years (depending on the size of the facility), and a gas collection
system to remove the waste decomposition gases. In a modern landfill facility,
all of these elements, except the leachate injection system, would probably be
available. The benefit of this approach is that, after stabilization, the
facility should not require further maintenance. A more important advantage is
that the decomposed and stabilized waste may .be removed and used like compost,
the plastics and metals could be recycled, and the site used again. If properly
planned and operated in this manner, fewer landfill cells could serve much of a
community's waste management needs for many years.
In nonhazardous municipal solid waste landfills natural soils have been used for
daily and final covers. However, the use of man made ..materials such as foams,
recycled paper mixed with polymers, geosynthetics, etc. are gaining popularity
for use as daily cover soils. When using natural soils as either the daily or
final cover material, it is sometimes necessary to consider different material
characteristics to satisfy site specific criteria. A matrix of soil
characteristics and health, aesthetics, and site usage characteristics can be
developed to provide information on which soil or combination of soils will be
the most beneficial.
GEOSYNTHETIC OPPORTUNITIES
While the regulations require specific uses of selected geosynthetics in
construction of waste management facilities, other opportunities exist that
require attention. Figure 4 illustrates a schematic of a landfill, both liner
and cover systems. The expanded use of geosynthetics could turn a marginal site
into an acceptable site.
Current Use ofGeosvnthetrcs
Geotextiles, both woven and non-woven, could be used as separation, filtration,
reinforcement, protection, drainage and erosion control only to mention a few
-------
Geocomposlte/
Geonet Drain
Geomambfans
Geogrld
Reinforcement
Geosynlhetlc Erosion Control Systems
Geogrld/Geotextlle Reinforcement
Geolexllle Fitter
Geocomposlie/ Geonet Drain
Geomembrane
UJ
Geosynthellc Clay Liner J .
Geotextlle Gas Vent jS
u
z: H-
_ f_
UJ _
rs <_
o u.
*(
UJ 2
3C U.
z u,
' >- tE
Geotexllla Filter o 2
UJ <£
CD S
Gravel w/Perforaled Pipe
Geotexlile Protection
Geomembrana (Primary) **
Geosynlhetlc Clay Liner
Gootextlle Filter
Geonet Leak Detection
Geomembrane (Secondary)
Compacted Clay Unef
o:
to
-------
uses. In some designs, geotextiles are used with other products to form
composites. These new composites now form multiple functions.
Geotextiles are also being used as alternative daily cover materials at municipal
solid waste landfills. The traditional 15cm (6in) soil daily cover consumes a
significant amount of free air space in the life of a landfill. Geosynthetics
multiple use can offer many of the same advantages of natural soils while being
able to be reused for several weeks. There are some issues that have been raised
when using geosynthetics. The use of geosynthetics was questioned when
precipitation and freezing temperatures were expected. There is also a concern
that when the geosynthetic was no longer useable whether to leave it in place and
bury solid waste on top (concern: potential slope failure) or to bunch it up and
bury it. The latter is the current practice.
Geogrids are used primarily for reinforcement. As designers are increasingly
challenged to increase free air space, increase side slope (and stability), to
reuse or add to existing sites (vertical expansion) the use of geogrids to
perform the required stability issues will be incorporated into the designs.
Central to their use is the development of adequate design tests and consistent
quality products.
Geonets were used early in the designs of waste management facilities for
drainage and leakage control and for gas venting in municipal facilities. Their
high liquid and vapor transmission properties make them the material of choice,
especially when compared to natural stone. Their rapid deployment and chemical
resistance has increased the use of this product.
Geomembranes was most likely the driving force in increased use of geosynthetics
in the United States and now the world. Geomembranes are used primarily as
liquid and vapor barriers for containment. Available in many different polymers,
construction (reinforced and unreinforced), thicknesses, colors and their
relative ease of installation has developed an industry that has had substantial
growth over the last few years. Again familiarization with these products,
improved resins, improved field seams and improved design knowledge has added
increasingly to the use of these materials. Twenty years ago the industry was
struggling with identify. Now the general public demands their use in
containment systems.
Geomats have not been as popular product in the waste industry as some of the
other geosynthetics. Used primarily as erosion control the product is used
primarily in agricultural and other civil engineering applications.
Geopipes are used to convey liquids, primarily leachate, out of waste facilities.
Different designs (smooth or corrugated), wall thickness and polymer type has
created a_product that the designer is very willing to use. Improved design
calculations for larger deeper landfills are currently being researched.
Future Use of Geosvnthetics
In order to improve or increase the use of geosynthetics in the waste management
industry and in other engineering applications, there are several areas to
consider. Perhaps the single most important issue is the design community
itself. Only a very few select Universities have any formal training on
-------
designing with geosynthetics. In fact most schools do not have any course work
at all. The end result we are graduating engineers that do not know about
geosynthetics, their use and limitations, their testing, or their design. We as
an industry should strive to correct this deficiency. Fabric and polymer experts
should join civil and environmental engineers to educate students, conduct joint
research and to develop new products.
Next is the materials themselves. Generally speaking, design engineers will use
materials they understand and have design data for. Again the industry is in an
excellent position to provide this guidance. As an example, the fabric engineer
could work with civil/environmental engineers to study the design of materials
for the best combination of strength and aperture size. The joint effort could
be further expanded to improve the design of the stitching of the fabrics.1 The
stitch design has been demonstrated (New Jersey dredge spoils/land reclamation
project) to change the performance of high performance geotextiles. Perhaps the
industry should develop an organization where all design data can be assembled in
an unbiased manner, that is kept current (critical in this rapid growth industry)
and to be made available to the design community.
Thirdly, the design community needs to publish successful and in some cases
unsuccessful designs. These designs will demonstrate to others how to design
with geosynthetics, limitations and could encourage others to become involved
with geosynthetics. Of particular interest to our industry is the long-term
performance of materials. Our concerns are the resistance to chemicals, bio- and
photo-degradation during construction and service. Up until about the early
1980's, the literature on geosynthetic applications was sparse. However, since
then we have seen an explosion of articles from the classic designs and
applications to some very unique and bold approaches on using geosynthetics.
Last but not least we need to learn from our mistakes so that others do not
follow in our foot steps. We need to encourage, npi chastise, designs or
materials. By performing autopsies on decommissioned facilities, enormous
information on design, durability, performance, weak/strong points, etc. can be
realized. Publishing results will demonstrate to the general public that the
industry is not hiding information but learning from past mistakes.
s
CONSTRUCTION QUALITY CONTROL AND QUALITY ASSURANCE
Field data studies have clearly indicated that with the development of a
construction quality control/quality assurance (CQA/CQC) program that the
performance of the waste management facility will improve over a facility
constructed without a good CQA/CQC program.
CQA consists of a series of planned observations and tests required to insure
that the final product (the waste management facility) will meet the project
specifications.
CQA is a management tool and the plans, specifications, observations, and tests
are all used to provide a quantitative means of acceptance of the final product.
CQC consists of a series of actions which provide a continuing means of measuring
and controlling the characteristics of the product in order to meet the
specifications of the finished product. CQC is the production tool that is
/ '0
-------
employed by the manufacturer of materials and contractor installing the materials
at the site.
The CQA/CQC plans are implemented through inspection activities which include
visual observations, field testing and measurements, laboratory testing and the
evaluation of the test data. The inspection activities are typically concerned
with three separate functions:
Quality control inspection by the manufacturer provides a real time
measure of the quality of the product and the conformance with the
project plans and specifications. Typically, the manufacturer will
provide the CQC test results and a certification of the conformance
of the product with the project plans and specifications for the
manufactured materials,
Quality control inspection by the contractor provides a real time
measure of the quality of construction and the conformance with the
project plans and specifications. This allows the contractor to
correct the construction process if the quality of the product is not
meeting the specifications and plans. CQC is performed independently
of the CQA Plan.
Quality assurance testing by the owner (acceptance inspection)
performed by the owner usually through the third party testing firm,
provides a measure of the quality of the final product and the
conformance with the project plans and specifications. Due to the
size and costs of a typical construction project, rejection of the
- project at completion would be costly to all parties. Consequently,
this testing takes place throughout the construction process. This
allows deficiencies to be found and corrected before they become too
large and costly.
The CQA/CQC plan will require the development of the following key items:
» Responsibility and Authority - The responsibility and authority of
organizations and personnel involved in permitting, (if necessary),
designing, and constructing the facility should be described in the
CQC/CQA plans.
« Personnel Qualifications - The qualifications of the CQA officers and
supporting CQA inspection personnel should be presented in the
CQC/CQA plans.
. Inspection Activities - The observations and test that will be used
to ensure that the construction or installation meets or exceeds all
design criteria, plans, and specifications for each component should
be described in the CQC/CQA plans.
Sampling Strategies - The sampling activities, sample size, methods
for determining sample locations, frequency of sampling, acceptance
and rejection criteria, and methods for ensuring that corrective
measures are implemented should be presented in the CQC/CQA plans.
-------
Documentation - Reporting requirements for CQA activities should be
described in detail in the CQC/CQA plans.
Preconstruction meetings will be necessary to identify all key actors and their
authority. This meeting should also develop a complete understanding of the
intent of the above criteria. Discussion on specific issues should be finalized
before construction begins so as not to delay the overall construction process.
TECHNICAL GUIDANCE DOCUMENTS
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in support of hazardous and
nonhazardous waste management facilities, developed three types of documents.
The intent of these documents were to assist designers of facilities and
reviewers of permits for these facilities. One document, the permit guidance
manual addresses the type of information required for a permit. The other two
documents, the Technical Resource Documents and the Technical Guidance Document,
contain information useful to designers.
The Technical Resource Documents present summaries of state-of-the-art
technologies and evaluation techniques determined by the Agency to constitute
good engineering designs, practices, and procedures. They describe current
technologies and methods for -waste facilities, or for evaluating the performance
of a facility design. Although emphasis is given to hazardous waste facilities,
the information presented in these TRDs may be used for designing and operating
nonhazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facilities.
The Technical Guidance Documents present design and operating parameters or
design evaluation techniques that, if followed, would demonstrate compliance with
the United States regulations.
In addition to the documents described above the Agency presents detailed
seminars throughout the U. S. Seminar publications', developed from these
seminars, provide additional information useful to designers, operators and
owners of waste management facilities. A listing of currently available
documents is provided in the reference section.
SUMMARY
Management of hazardous and nonhazardous wastes will require the development of
liner and cover systems that will minimize the release of potential pollutants to
the environment. These systems, as designed and constructed in the United
States, will contain mixtures of geosynthetics and natural soil materials. These
designs have been generally described.
The geosynthetic industry has risen to the challenge of developing products that
improve the design requirements. Increasing the use of geosynthetics still
further is an increased awareness in the University system, centralized data
bases that are current, publishing of successful/unsuccessful geosynthetic
projects and performing case studies at decommissioned sites. The future is very
bright but needs the commitment of industry to keep it burning.
-------
To insure that the facilities are constructed as designed, the development of a
CQA/CQC plan is recommended. Specific objectives as well as key elements of the
plan have been provided.
Finally, the technical knowledge, presented through a series of documents and
publications have been identified.
REFERENCES
U.S. EPA, "Design, Construction and Maintenance of Cover Systems for Hazardous
Waste, An Engineering Guidance Document," U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment
Station, Vicksburg, MS, May 1987, NTIS PB 87-191656.
U.S. EPA, "Evaluating Cover Systems for Solid and Hazardous Waste," Office of
Solid Waste and Emergency Response Washington, D.C., SW 867, September 1982, NTIS
PB 87-154894.
U.S. EPA, "Construction Quality Assurance for Hazardous Waste Land Disposal
Facilities," Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response, Washington, D.C.
EPA/530-SW-86-031, OSWER Policy Directive No. 9472.003, NTIS PB 87-132825.
U.S. EPA, "Design, Construction, and Evaluation of Clay Liners for Waste
Management Facilities," Technical Resource Document, Hazardous Waste Engineering
Research Laboratory, Office of Research and Development, U. S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, EPA/530-SW-86-007F, September 1988, NTIS PB
86-184496.
U.S. EPA, "Lining of Waste Containment and Other Impoundment Facilities,"
Technical -Resource Document, EPA-600/2-88-052, September 1988, NTIS PB-129670.
Moore, Charles A., "Landfill and Surface Impoundment Performance Evaluation,"
U.S. EPA SW-869, 1982, NTIS PB 81-166357.
Richardson and Koerner, "Geosynthetic Design Guidance for Hazardous Waste
Landfill Cells and Surface Impoundments," EPA-600/2-87-097, December 1987,
NTIS PB 88-131263.
s
U.S. EPA, "Guide to Technical Resources for the Design of Land Disposal
Facilities," Risk Reduction Engineering Laboratory and Center for Environmental
Research Information, EPA/625/6-88/018, Cincinnati, OH, 1988.
U.S. EPA, "Seminar Publication; Requirements for Hazardous Waste Landfill Design,
Construction and Closure", Center for Environmental Research Information,
EPA/625/4-89/002, Cincinnati, OH, 1989.
U.S. EPA, "Technical Guidance Document; Final Covers on Hazardous Waste Landfills
and Surface Impoundments" Office of Research and Development, EPA/530-SW-89-047,
Cincinnati, OH, July 1989.
U.S. EPA, "Technical Resource Development; Design, Construction and Operation of
Hazardous and Nonhazardous Waste Surface impoundments," Office of Research and
Development, EPA/530/SW-91/054, Cincinnati, OH, June 1991.
A.3
-------
U.S. EPA, "Technical Guidance Document; Inspection Techniques for the Fabrication
of Geomembrane Field Seams" Office of Research and Development, EPA/530/SW-
91/051, Cincinnati, OH, May 1991.
U.S. EPA, "Seminar Publication; Design, Construction of RCRA/CERCLA Final
Covers," Center for Environmental Research Information, EPA/625/4-91/025,
Cincinnati, OH, May 1991.
U.S. EPA, "Alternative Daily Cover Materials for Municipal Solid Waste Landfills"
U.S. EPA - Region IX, EPA/530/R29/024, NTIS-PB92-208206
-------
EPA/600/A-92/273
TECHNICAL REPORT DATA
(Please read Instruction! on the rcvenc before complcr
1. REPORT NO.
2.
3.
4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE
5. REPORT DATE
Opportunities for Use of Geosynthetics in Waste
Management Facilities
6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE
7. AUTHOR(S)
Robert E. Landreth
8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO.
9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS
USEPA/RREL/WMDDRD/MSWRMB
5995 Center Hill Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45224
10. PROGRAM ELEMENT NO.
11. CONTRACT/GRANT NO.
12. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS
Risk Reduction Engineering Laboratory--Cinti, OH
Office of Research and Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Cincinnati, OH 45268
13. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED
published paper
14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE
EPA/600/14
is.SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES Project Officer = Robert L. Landreth'lbl-})bby-/bvi
2nd International High-Performance Fabrics Conf Proceedings, November 12-13,1992,
Boston, Massachusetts, p:153-166
16. ABSTRACT
The USEPA through its research and field experiences has developed control strategies
for hazardous and municipal solid waste landfills and surface impoundments. These
control strategies include liner and cover systems. The liner systems include
double liners for hazardous waste and a single composite liner for municipal solid
waste. The purpose of each individual component will be discussed with options for
using natural in-situ materials or geosynthetics. Although natural soils are used
as various components, emphasis has been placed on the use of geosynthetics, including
geomembranes, geonets, geotextiles, and plastic pi'pes. Cover systems for both
hazardous and municipal waste facilities are based on a multilayer design. The
multilayer component characteristics, including performance, thickness, and material
type will be discussed. These designs include both natural soils and geosynthetics.
It has been demonstrated with field data that the development of construction
quality control/quality assurance will improve the performance of the disposal facility
The improved performance of the waste management facility reinforces the confidence
of designers as they understand the limits of designing with geosynthetics.
17.
KEY WORDS AND DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
DESCRIPTORS
b.lDENTIFIERS/OPEN ENDED TERMS
c. COSATI Field/Group
geosynthetics
municipal solid waste
landfills
liner systems
cover systems
REPRODUCED BY
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
NATIONAL TECHNICAL INFORMATION SERVICE
SPRINGFIELD, VA. 22161
18. DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT
RELEASE TO PUBLIC
19. SECURITY CLASS (This Report!
UNCLASSIFIED
21. NO. OF PAGES
16
20. SECURITY CLASS (This page)
UNCLASSIFIED
22. PRICE
EPA Form 2220-1 (R«v. 4-77) PREVIOUS EDITION is OBSOLETE
------- |