Geotechnical Response of Compost Biocover Columns under Freeze-Thaw Conditions
Publication: Journal of Cold Regions Engineering
Volume 30, Issue 1
Abstract
Biocovers are a promising technology for mitigating methane () emission from landfills. The geotechnical performance of the biocover material is one of the design criteria of biocovers. However, current understanding of the geotechnical behavior of biocovers under freeze-thaw conditions is limited. In the present paper, the effects of freeze-thaw cycles (FTCs) on the geotechnical (thermal, hydraulic, and mechanical) properties of compost-based biocovers are investigated by column experiments. In the experiments, three columns are developed, prepared, and treated by a period of methane injection (0 FTCs) after 1 FTC and 2 FTCs in three respective stages. In addition, extensive laboratory testing is carried out on the biocover samples with regard to their thermal (thermal conductivity); hydraulic (hydraulic conductivity); and mechanical (compressibility and shear strength) and physical properties (e.g., grain size distribution, moisture content). The results show that the FTCs induced changes in a number of the geotechnical properties of the biocover. However, these changes are mostly located in the top layer of the biocover (0–15 cm). It was found that FTCs significantly increased the hydraulic conductivity of the top layer of the biocover, whereas they slightly decreased the thermal conductivity of this layer. As for mechanical and physical factors, the average grain size of the compost surface slightly decreased throughout the stages, while the friction angles of the bottom and middle layers of the compost-based biocover were not significantly affected. The results presented in this paper will contribute to better design of landfill biocovers in cold regions.
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Acknowledgments
This study was funded by and conducted in collaboration with and supported by the industrial partner, Lafleche Environmental Inc., and the Ontario Research Fund (ORF).
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Published In
Journal of Cold Regions Engineering
Volume 30 • Issue 1 • March 2016
Copyright
© 2015 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jul 17, 2013
Accepted: Dec 29, 2014
Published online: Feb 13, 2015
Discussion open until: Jul 13, 2015
Published in print: Mar 1, 2016
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