eva‎luation of Lateral Earth Pressure at Rest in Processed Waste from Composting Plants

9/16/2025 12:00:00 AM

This study investigates the factors influencing the stability and design of landfill sites, with a particular focus on the lateral earth pressure coefficient at rest (K0). One of the primary challenges faced by geotechnical engineers in the design of landfill sites is maintaining slope stability and preventing failure. In this context, protecting gas and leachate drainage systems, as well as the protective covers of landfills, requires a precise understanding of the physical properties of waste. Given the rapid population growth and the increasing generation of waste, new regulations have been established to control landfill operations. These regulations mandate that municipal waste must be processed before disposal to achieve optimal levels of organic content, moisture percentage, size, and composition. Such processing alters the physical properties of waste, affecting slope stability and the K0 coefficient. K0, as a crucial geotechnical parameter, represents the ratio of lateral to vertical pressure at rest and directly impacts slope stability and geotechnical designs. Variations in moisture content and the effect of wetting over time can influence K0. In this study, tests were conducted using a pneumatic oedometer on processed waste from the Kahrizak landfill with varying moisture percentages. The results indicated that increased moisture improves the interlocking of waste but simultaneously reduces the K0 parameter. Additionally, tests were performed to examine the impact of removing stones and glass from waste on its strength and K0. The findings revealed that waste containing stones and glass had a safer and lower K0 compared to waste without these materials, and moisture variations, whether positive or negative, had a lesser impact on their K0. Furthermore, the study demonstrated that wetting duration also affects settlement and the K0 parameter. Tests conducted at 7-day and 30-day intervals with varying moisture levels showed that moisture and wetting, due to the high plasticity of waste, have a negative impact on K0 and the waste's resistance behavior. The results of this research indicate that precise management of moisture content and control of wetting duration can enhance slope stability and improve the safety of landfill sites. These findings are crucial for improving the design and operation of landfills with the goal of maintaining stability and preventing failure.

مركز دفن، ادئومتر پنوماتيك، زباله خانگي، ضريب فشارجانبي درحالت سكون، درصد رطوبت، اثر خيس خوردگي، تراكم

Landfill, Pneumatic Oedometer, Municipal Waste, Lateral Earth Pressure Coefficient at Rest, Moisture Content, Wetting Effect, Compaction.

alireza shahhosseini

mehran karimpourfard- habib shahnazari