Effect of Municipal Solid Waste on Geotechnical Properties of Soils

Abstract

The paper presents results of laboratory investigation of the effects of municipal solid waste on the geotechnical properties of soils. Soil samples taken from three trial pits at depths of 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 m, were used for the investigation. Two of the trial pits were located around the studied dump site to serve as control points or uncontaminated soil, while the third trial pit was located within the dump site to serve as contaminated soil. Soil samples collected were subjected to specific gravity, natural moisture content, particle size analysis, consistency, compaction, permeability, triaxial and consolidation tests. Results of the investigation show that Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) lowers the specific gravity, increases the natural moisture content, increases the fine particles content, lowers the maximum dry density with higher optimum moisture content, lowers both the cohesion and the angle of internal friction, increases the coefficient of permeability, coefficient of consolidation and coefficient of volume compressibility of the soil. These effects reduced with depth.