Seismic performance of geomembrane placed on a slope in a MSW landfill cell -A centrifuge study

Geomembranes are one of the most commonly used geosynthetics in landfill liner systems. They retain the leachate produced by the waste and prevent leakage. Geomembranes may experience harsh environmental conditions such as extreme temperatures or earthquake loading. Earthquake loading can be an extreme loading case for landfills located in seismic regions. This study, based on dynamic centrifuge testing, investigates the effects of simulated earthquake loading on the tension experienced bythe geomembrane on a landfill slope. The landfill modeled in the dynamic centrifuge test was a municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill cell with a single geomembrane-clay liner system (45° side slope and 10 m slope length). The paper shows that moderate earthquake loading (base acceleration between 0.1g to 0.2g) can result in transient increases of around 20% in geomembrane tension, with permanent tension increases of around 5%.

Geomembrane containment walls for liquefaction remediation

Ground improvement techniques can be adopted to prevent existing buildings built on liquefiable soils sustaining damage in future earthquakes. Impermeable geomembrane containment walls may be an economic and successful technique but their design and performance are currently not well defined or well understood for this application. This paper describes centrifuge testing carried out to investigate the performance of such containment walls as a liquefaction remediation method for a single degree of freedom frame structure. The results were compared with those from similar centrifuge testing carried out with the same structure founded on unimproved sand, to assess the effectiveness of the remediation method. It was found that the geomembrane containment walls tested were effective at reducing structural settlement and did not significantly increase the accelerations transmitted to the structure. Structural settlements were reduced primarily by mobilising hoop stress and preventing lateral soil movement. By preventing surface drainage, a decrease in the volume change of the foundation sand was also observed. In addition, the impermeability of the walls may be important as this prevented rapid migration of pore water fromthe free field to the foundation region.

Evaluation of geomembrane UV degradation using melt flow index and oxidative induction time tests

Many factors such as the sunlight, intensity of radiation, temperature, and moisture may influence the degradation process of geosynthetics. UV stabilizers are used especially in polyolefin geomembrane to prevent the degradation process. In these geomembranes the service lifetime is initially governed by the consumption of antioxidants. Tests like MFI and OIT are a alternative to detect the oxidative degradation in polyolefins. This article evaluates HDPE geomembrane degradation after UV exposure through the results of MFI and OIT tests. Two kinds of geomembranes were evaluated: a black and smooth (0.8, 1.0, 1.5, 2.5 mm) and a white and textured (1.0 mm). MFI test showed some levels of superficial degradation (crosslink) in HDPE geomembrane.

Image-Segmentation Technique to Analyze Deformation Profiles in Different Direct Shear Tests

Results from interface shear tests on sand-geosynthetic interfaces are examined in light of surface roughness of the interacting geosynthetic material. Three different types of interface shear tests carried out in the frame of direct shear-test setup are compared to understand the effect of parameters like box fixity and symmetry on the interface shear characteristics. Formation of shear bands close to the interface is visualized in the tests and the bands are analyzed using image-segmentation techniques in MATLAB. A woven geotextile with moderate roughness and a geomembrane with minimal roughness are used in the tests. The effect of surface roughness of the geosynthetic material on the formation of shear bands, movement of sand particles, and interface shear parameters are studied and compared through visual observations, image analyses, and image-segmentation techniques.

Centrifuge modelling and dynamic testing of municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills

An investigation into the seismic behaviour of municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills by dynamic centrifuge testing was undertaken. This paper presents physical modelling of MSW landfills for dynamic centrifuge testing, with regard to the following research areas: 1. amplification characteristics of municipal solid waste; 2. tension induced in geomembranes placed on landfill slopes due to earthquake loading; 3. damage to landfill liners due to liquefaction of foundation soil. A model waste, that has engineering properties similar to MSW, is presented. A model geomembrane that can be used in centrifuge tests is also presented. Results of dynamic centrifuge tests with the model geomembrane showed that an earthquake loading induces additional permanent tension (∼25%) in the geomembrane. © 2006 Taylor & Francis Group.

Centrifuge modelling and dynamic testing of municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills

An investigation into the seismic behaviour of municipal solidwaste (MSW) landfills by dynamic centrifuge testing was undertaken. This paper presents physical modelling of MSW landfills for dynamic centrifuge testing, with regard to the following research areas: 1. amplification characteristics of municipal solid waste; 2. tension induced in geomembranes placed on landfill slopes due to earthquake loading; 3. damage to landfill liners due to liquefaction of foundation soil. A model waste, that has engineering properties similar to MSW, is presented. A model geomembrane that can be used in centrifuge tests is also presented. Results of dynamic centrifuge tests with the model geomembrane showed that an earthquake loading induces additional permanent tension (∼25%) in the geomembrane. © 2006 Taylor & Francis Group, London.

Geossintéticos em vias de comunicação: influência das condições climáticas

Trabalho de Dissertação de Natureza Científica para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Engenharia Civil na Área de Especialização de Vias de Comunicação e Transportes

UV exposure of polymeric geomembranes

The break of polymer chemical bonds may occur due to penetration of sun short wavelengths. In sanitary landfills for instance, ultraviolet radiation affects uncovered materials and can be dangerous during the installation of the liner and before the placement of the waste. Only the ultraviolet part of the light is harmful to the geosynthetic materials, moreover, each material is sensitive to a particular wavelength. This article evaluates the effects of UV degradation and condensation in black HDPE (1.0 and 1.5 mm) and white HDPE (textured - 1.0 mm) geomembrane that were tested in laboratory during 6 months. The tests were performed using a weatherometer assembled at EESC-USP in accordance to ASTM G154. The results have shown variations in punction and tear resistance after each period of exposure.

Avaliação de recomendações normativas sobre o uso de ensaios no controle de qualidade de fabricação de geossintéticos

A utilização de materiais poliméricos designados por geossintéticos tem aumentando significativamente nos últimos anos na Engenharia Civil. Para desempenhar adequadamente a função para a qual foram projetados, os geossintéticos devem ser submetidos a um rigoroso processo de controle de qualidade durante a fabricação. Discussões sobre a freqüência e os principais tipos de ensaios de laboratório utilizados nesse processo de controle para dois tipos de geossintéticos, os geotêxteis e as geomembranas, os materiais mais utilizados da famíla dos geossintéticos, são abordados no presente trabalho. As análises efetuadas com base em normas disponíveis no Brasil, nos EUA e na Europa mostram que no cenário nacional não há recomendações normativas sobre o controle de qualidade para a maioria das aplicações de geotêxteis e geomembranas, sendo o assunto pouco discutido na literatura técnica. No cenário internacional, as normas Européias se destacam como o conjunto de práticas mais completo para ensaios de controle de qualidade de fabricação, considerando os diversos tipos de aplicação dos geossintéticos na Engenharia Civil.

Influence of the degradation on the stress cracking values of high density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembranes after different exposures

This paper presents results from stress cracking (SC) tests performed in both fresh and exposed high density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembranes (GM). The HDPE GMs were exposed to ultraviolet radiation, thermal aging (air oven) and tested for chemical compatibility with sodium hydroxide. Stress cracking tests in both fresh and degraded samples were performed in accordance to ASTM D5397: Notched Constant Tensile Load Test (NCTL) and Single Point-Notched Constant Tensile Load Test (SP-NCTL). The results of the NCTL showed that the geomembrane degradation process can be considered to be a catalyst for the phenomenon of SC because it caused a 50% to 60% reduction in stress crack resistance. The most resistance reduction was observed for the sample under chemical compatibility with sodium hydroxide. For the SP-NCTL, the results showed that the samples maintain the same trend verified in the NCTL. The largest resistance reduction was evidenced in samples undergoing ultraviolet degradation. © 2012 ejge.

Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) after different exposures of high density polyethylene (HDPE) and poly vinyl chloride (PVC) geomembranes

This paper presents the results of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) tests in PVC (1.0; 2.0 mm) and HDPE (0.8; 2.5 mm) geomembranes exposed to weathering and leachate after 30 months. The aim of this paper is the comparison of fresh and exposed samples to assess the degradation process concerning the total loss of mass of geomembranes. The exposure was conducted in accordance with the recommendations of ASTM standards. The TGA tests were carried out according to ASTM D6370 and E2105. Results show, for instance, that for PVC geomembrane the largest reductions of plasticizers occurred for samples exposed to weathering. The loss of plasticizers after the exposure contributed to the decrease of deformation and consequent increase in stiffness. TGA tests shows to be a valuable tool to control the quality of the materials. © 2012 ejge.

Evaluation of mechanical and thermal properties after chemical degradation of PVC and HDPE geomembranes

Chemical compatibility between geomembranes and site-specific waste liquids should be assessed since the waste liquids are highly complex mixtures. This paper presents some considerations about the chemical compatibility of geomembranes and some results of mechanical tests in HDPE and PVC geomembranes that were exposed to leachate and chemical residue (niobium). PVC and HDPE geomembranes of two thicknesses were tested: 1.0, 2.0 mm (PVC) and 0.8, 2.5 mm (HDPE). The results obtained show that after exposure the PVC geomembranes (1.0, 2.0 mm) were more rigid and stiffer than fresh samples. The HDPE geomembranes, on the other hand, when exposed to leachate and niobium residue presented increases in deformation. Melt flow index (MFI) tests were also carried out to verify the oxidation. © 2013 ejge.

Avaliação da permeabilidade em geomembranas de polietileno de alta densidade (PEAD)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Efeito da vinhaça na membrana impermeabilizante usada nos tanques de armazenamento

This work evaluated the effect of vinasse (residue from sugar cane) in high density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembranes having in mind that it is deposited at temperatures of 80-90˚C on the geomembrane in storage tanks. The objective was to evaluate the resistance of the geomembrane in contact with residue in a total period of 4 months. Physical and mechanical tests, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to determine degradation of polymer membranes after chemical immersion. In general, the results obtained show that the vinasse affected the geomembranes significantly in some aspects, for instance, the thickness of the material presented a variation of 7.8%. The average values in both directions at yielding showed a significant loss of tensile strength (34.13%) and strain (23.48%) and an increase in the modulus of elasticity (9.63%). At the rupture the behavior presented the same trend: a loss of 32% for tensile strength and 24.4% for the deformation were observed. Tear strength presented small decrease (4.72%) and puncture resistance a increase of 7.9% after immersion of geomembranes. The TGA tests were not efficient to detect evidence of degradation in samples of geomembranes after exposures, but identified problems in the quality of the supplied material.