Research Needs in Solid Waste Mechanics

Our understanding of the response of municipal solid waste to monotonic and cyclic loadings has improved significantly over the last decade. However, several important issues remain unresolved. Standardized field characterization procedures, waste sampling protocols, specimen preparation methods, and laboratory testing techniques are required if significant advances are to be made over the next decade. The profession can only advance so far if confusion regarding what was tested, how was it tested, and what the results were continues as it has in many cases. Currently, many of the inconsistencies in our understanding of the static and dynamic properties of solid waste are caused by inconsistencies and uncertainty in waste properties characterization procedures and testing or reporting protocols. The first "International Waste Mechanics Symposium" will hopefully address these issues as well as other important issues and provide a common framework for advancing the profession's understanding of waste properties and mechanics through developing consensus on the performance and reporting of laboratory and field testing procedures. Based on limitations in our current state of knowledge of waste properties and mechanics, a number of critical needs in waste mechanics research are identified.