Stability of soil layers on compound geosynthetic slopes

Conference · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:405680

Corcoran, G T; McKelvey, III, J A ^[1]

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1. Roy F. Weston, Inc., West Chester, PA (United States)

Geosynthetic materials can greatly reduce the stability of soil covers on landfill closure side slopes, primarily due to the low interface friction angles associated with many of these materials. Generally, if a uniform thickness of cover soil is placed on a geosynthetic-lined slope, a tensile force will develop within the geosynthetics if the angle of slope exceeds the minimum interface friction angle between the various geosynthetic materials. This tensile force may easily be determined using limit equilibrium approaches such as two-wedge or infinite slope analyses as presented in recent papers. The two-wedge method was developed for a constant slope inclination with a horizontal base at the toe of the slope. Analyzing a compound slope, a slope with two distinct slope angles, using the infinite slope approach will result in the prediction of excessive tensile loads on the geosynthetics. Conversely, using the available two-wedge equations may overestimate the resisting force associated with the buttressing wedge at the base of the upper slope. This would underestimate the tensile loads on the geosynthetics as the buttressing wedge associated with a compound slope offers less resisting force than a horizontal base at the toe of the slope. This paper will develop a design equation for geosynthetic tension, incorporating the effects of compound slopes. Evaluation techniques to model equipment loadings used to place the cover soil will also be presented. A design example incorporating the analysis approaches will be provided to help the reader gain an appreciation of the presented material.

• OSTI ID: 405680
• Report Number(s): CONF-950177--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
COVERINGS
DESIGN
DRAINAGE
INCLINATION
LEACHATES
POLLUTION CONTROL
SANITARY LANDFILLS
SHUTDOWN
SOILS
STABILITY