Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Investigation on the hydraulic response of a bioengineered landfill cover system subjected to extreme drying-wetting cycle

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Construction wastes such as recycled concrete have been widely reused in geotechnical engineering to reduce environmental pollution and preserve natural resources. In this study, a one-dimensional (1D) soil column test was carried out to evaluate the hydrological performance of a three-layer landfill cover system using recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) under humid climatic conditions. This three-layer system consists of a layer of fine-grained and a layer of coarse-grained recycled aggregates (i.e. FRC and CRC) overlying the bottom silt refuse soil. Numerical simulations were conducted to analyse the model test and investigate the effects of the bottom layer and climate conditions on the performance of the three-layer landfill cover system. Consistent results were obtained between the measured data and numerical predictions. The matric suctions in the vegetated cover were nearly 80% higher than the bare cover after drying for 14 days from a nearly saturated condition. Even after the simulated extreme rainfall of Hong Kong with a return period of 100 years, a higher suction was also well-retained in vegetated cover. This was due to the initial high suction induced by evapotranspiration of plants, which led to the infiltration rates into grassed cover being up to 30% lower than the bare one. The results from the numerical parametric analysis suggest a bottom soil layer with an effective particle size (d10) value of 0.02 mm and 0.2 mm to be used in the three-layer landfill cover system under humid and semi-humid climates, respectively. For semi-arid or even arid regions, a two-layer cover with capillary barrier effects (CCBE) is already sufficient for preventing water percolation as the rainfall in those areas is not heavy.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig.7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

Data generated or analysed during this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

References

  • Abdolahzadeh AM, Lacroix Vachon B, Cabral AR (2011) Evaluation of the effectiveness of a cover with capillary barrier effect to control percolation into a waste disposal facility. Can Geotech J 48(7):996–1009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • ASTM (2006) D2434 06: Standard test method for permeability of granular soils (constant head). American Society of Testing Materials, West Conshohocken

  • ASTM (2007) D422: Standard test method for particle size analysis of soils. American Society of Testing Materials, West Conshohocken

  • ASTM (2010) D5084: Standard test methods for measurement of hydraulic conductivity of saturated porous materials using a flexible wall permeameter. American Society of Testing Materials, West Conshohocken

  • ASTM (2011) D2487: Standard practice for classification of soils for engineering purposes (Unified Soil Classification System). American Society of Testing Materials, West Conshohocken

  • ASTM (2012) D698: Standard test method for laboratory compaction characteristics of soil using standard effort. American Society of Testing Materials, West Conshohocken

  • ASTM (2014) D4253: Standard test methods for maximum index density and unit weight of soils using a vibratory table. American Society of Testing Materials, West Conshohocken

  • Bhowmik R, Shahu JT, Datta M (2018) Failure analysis of a geomembrane lined reservoir embankment. Geotext Geomembranes 46(1):52–65

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bossé B, Bussière B, Hakkou R et al (2015) Field experimental cells to assess hydrogeological behaviour of store-and-release covers made with phosphate mine waste. Can Geotech J 52(9):1255–1269

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chapuis RP (2004) Predicting the saturated hydraulic conductivity of sand and gravel using effective diameter and void ratio. Can Geotech J 41(5):787–795

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen R, Liu J, Li JH et al (2015) An integrated high-capacity tensiometer for measuring water retention curves continuously. Soil Sci Soc Am J 79:943–947

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen R, Liu J, Ng CWW et al (2019a) Influence of slope angle on water flow in a sloping three-layer capillary barrier cover under heavy rainfall. Soil Sci Soc Am J 83(6):1637–1647

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen R, Huang JW, Chen ZK et al (2019b) Effect of root density of wheat and okra on hydraulic properties of an unsaturated compacted loam. Eur J Soil Sci 70(3):493–506

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen R, Ge YH, Chen ZK et al (2019c) Analytical solution for one-dimensional contaminant diffusion through unsaturated soils beneath geomembrane. J Hydrol 568:260–274

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen R, Tan RQ, Chen ZK et al (2020) Influence of degree of compaction on unsaturated hydraulic properties of a compacted completely decomposed granite. Geofluids 2020:7615361

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen R, Hung JW, Leung AK et al (2022) Experimental investigation on water release and gas emission of evapotranspirative capillary barrier landfill covers. Soil Sci Soc Am J 86(2):311–323

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • EEA (2013) Managing municipal solid waste – a review of achievements in 32 European countries. European Environment Agency, Environmental Assessment Report, 2, Copenhagen

  • Fan J, Rowe RK (2022a) Piping of silty sand tailings through a circular geomembrane hole. Geotext Geomembr 50(1):183–196

  • Fan J, Rowe RK (2022b) Seepage through a circular geomembrane hole when covered by fine-grained tailings under filter incompatible conditions. Can Geotech J 59(3):410–423

  • Feddes RA, Kowalik P, Kolinska-Malinka K et al (1976) Simulation of field water uptake by plants using a soil water dependent root extraction function. J Hydrol 31(1–2):13–26

  • Feng S, Liu HW, Cai QP et al (2022) Effects of grass type on hydraulic response of the three-layer landfill cover system. Waste Manage Res 40(7):882–891

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fox PJ, Thielmann SS, Stern AN et al (2014) Interface shear damage to a HDPE geomembrane. I: gravelly compacted clay liner. J Geotech Geoenviron Eng 140(8):04014039

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garg A, Coo JL, Ng CWW (2015) Field study on influence of root characteristics on soil suction distribution in slopes vegetated with Cynodon dactylon and Schefflera heptaphylla. Earth Surf Proc Land 40(12):1631–1643

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • GEO (2011) Technical guidelines on landscape treatment for slopes. Geotechnical Engineering Office, Hong Kong, China

  • Guo H, Chen X, Song D et al (2023a) Effects of solar radiation and fine roots on suction of Amorpha fruticose-vegetated soil. J Mt Sci-Engl 20(6):1790–1804

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guo HW, Ng CWW, Zhang Q et al (2023b) Modelling the water diversion of a sustainable cover system under humid climates. In press, J Rock Mech Geotech

    Google Scholar 

  • Guo H W, Zhang Q, Ng CWW et al (2023c) Three-dimensional numerical analyse of plant-soil hydraulic interactions on pore water pressure of vegetated slope under different rainfall patterns. J Rock Mech Geotech Eng (In press)

  • Harnas F, Rahardjo H, Leong EC et al (2014) Experimental study on dual capillary barrier using recycled asphalt pavement materials. Can Geotechn J 51(10):1165–1177

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harnas FR, Rahardjo H, Leong EC et al (2016) Physical model for the investigation of capillary-barrier performance made using recycled asphalt. Geotech Test J 39(6):977–990

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hau BC, Corlett RT (2003) Factors affecting the early survival and growth of native tree seedlings planted on a degraded hillside grassland in Hong Kong. China Restor Ecol 11:483–488

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hossain MU, Wu Z, Poon CS (2017) Comparative environmental evaluation of construction waste management through different waste sorting systems in Hong Kong. Waste Manage 69:325–335

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hu L, Wang Z, Du H et al (2010) Differential accumulation of dehydrins in response to water stress for hybrid and common bermudagrass genotypes differing in drought tolerance. J Plant Physiol 167(2):103–109

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Indraratna B, Fatahi B, Khabbaz H et al (2006) Numerical analysis of matric suction effects of tree roots. Proc Inst Civ Eng Geotech Eng 159(2):77–90

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kianimehr M, Shourijeh PT, Binesh SM et al (2019) Utilisation of recycled concrete aggregates for light-stabilisation of clay soils. Constr Build Mater 227:116792

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lam CC, Leung KY (1995) Extreme rainfall statistics and design rainstorm profiles at selected locations in Hong Kong. Royal Observatory, Hong Kong

    Google Scholar 

  • Li Z, Wang YH, Chow JK et al (2018) 3D pore network extraction in granular media by unifying the Delaunay tessellation and maximal ball methods. J Petrol Sci Eng 167:692–701

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lin S, Ng CWW, Xu J et al (2019) Effects of shrub on one-dimensional suction distribution and water infiltration in a three-layer landfill cover system. J Zhejiang Univ-Sci A 20(7):546–552

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mei C, Liu JH, Wang H et al (2017) Review on urban design rainstorm. Chin Sci Bull 62(33):3873–3884

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morris CE, Stormont JC (1999) Parametric study of unsaturated drainage layers in a capillary barrier. J Geotech Geoenviron ASCE 125(12):1057–1065

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ng CWW, Menzies B (2007) Advanced unsaturated soil mechanics and engineering. Taylor & Francis, London and NY

    Google Scholar 

  • Ng CWW, Pang YW (2000) Influence of stress state on soil water characteristics and slope stability. J Geotech Geoenviron ASCE 126(2):157–166

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ng CWW, Woon KX, Leung AK et al (2013) Experimental investigation of induced suction distribution in a grass- covered soil. Ecol Eng 52:219–223

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ng CWW, Liu J, Chen R et al (2015a) Physical and numerical modeling of an inclined three-layer (silt/gravelly sand/clay) capillary barrier cover system under extreme rainfall. Waste Manage 38:210–221

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ng CWW, Liu J, Chen R (2015b) Numerical investigation on gas emission from three landfill soil covers under dry weather conditions. Vadose Zone J 14(8):vzj2014.12.0180

  • Ng CWW, Chen ZK, Coo JL et al (2015c) Gas breakthrough and emission through unsaturated compacted clay in landfill final cover. Waste Manage 44:155–163

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ng CWW, Coo JL, Chen ZK et al (2016a) Water infiltration into a new three-layer landfill cover system. J Environ Eng 142(5):4419–4429

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ng CWW, Ni JJ, Leung AK et al (2016b) Effects of planting density on tree growth and induced soil suction. Géotechnique 66(9):711–724

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ng CWW, Chen R, Coo JL et al (2019a) A novel vegetated three-layer landfill cover system using recycled construction wastes without geomembrane. Can Geotechn J 56(12):1863–1875

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ng CWW, Leung AK, Ni JJ (2019b) Plant-soil slope interaction. Taylor & Francis, New York

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Ng CWW, Zhang Q, Ni J et al (2021) A new three-dimensional theoretical model for analysing the stability of vegetated slopes with different root architectures and planting patterns. Comput Geotech 130:103912

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ng CWW, Ng CL, Ni J et al (2023) Analysis of a landfill cover without geomembrane using varied particle sizes of recycled concrete. J Rock Mech Geotech Eng 15(5):1263–1273

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ni JJ, Leung AK, Ng CWW (2018) Modelling soil suction changes due to mixed species planting. Ecol Eng 117:1–17

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rahardjo H, Tami D, Leong EC (2006) Effectiveness of sloping capillary barriers under high precipitation rates. Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on problematic soils, Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia

  • Rahardjo H, Santoso VA, Leong EC et al (2012) Performance of an instrumented slope covered by a capillary barrier system. J Geotech Geoenviron ASCE 138(4):481–490

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rahardjo H, Santoso VA, Leong EC et al (2013) Use of recycled crushed concrete and Secudrain in capillary barriers for slope stabilisation. Can Geotechn J 50(6):662–673

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ross B (1990) The diversion capacity of capillary barriers. Water Resour Res 26(10):2625–2629

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scanlan CA, Hinz C (2010) Insight into the processes and effects of root induced changes to soil hydraulic properties. Proceedings of the 19th world congress of soil science, soil solutions for a changing world, Brisbane, Australia 2:41–44

  • Scholl P, Leitner D, Kammerer G et al (2014) Root induced changes of effective 1D hydraulic properties in a soil column. Plant Soil 381:193–213

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shao YM, Shao DN (2014) A new generation of urban rainstorm intensity formula in China. China Architecture & Building Press, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  • Sinnathamby G, Phillips DH, Sivakumar V et al (2014) Landfill cap models under simulated climate change precipitation: impacts of cracks and root growth. Géotechnique 64(2):95–107

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Skerman PJ, Riveros F (1990) Tropical grasses (No. 23). FAO Plant Production and Protection Series No. 23. Food & Agriculture Organization, Rome

  • USEPA (2004) Technical guidance for RCRA/CERCLA final covers. Seminar publication EPA540-R-04–007. US Environmental Protection Agency, Washington DC

  • USEPA (2015) Advancing sustainable materials management: facts and figures 2013. Report EPA530-R-15–002. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington DC

  • van Genuchten M (1980) A closed-form equation for predicting the hydraulic conductivity of unsaturated soils. Soil Sci Soc Am J 44:892–898

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yang H, Rahardjo H, Leong EC (2006) Behavior of unsaturated layered soil columns during infiltration. J Hydrol Eng 11(4):329–337

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhan TL, Ng CWW, Fredlund DG (2007) Field study of rainfall infiltration into a grassed unsaturated expansive soil slope. Can Geotech J 44(4):392–408

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhan LT, Li GY, Jiao WG et al (2017) Field measurements of water storage capacity in a loess-gravel capillary barrier cover using rainfall simulation tests. Can Geotech J 54(11):1523–1536

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang WJ, Sun C, Qiu QW (2016) Characterising of a capillary barrier evapotranspirative cover under high precipitation conditions. Environ Earth Sci 75:513

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the financial sponsorship from the Shenzhen Science and Technology Program (KCXFZ20211020163816023), the research project of Urban Management Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality (202305), and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (U20A20320).

Funding

Shenzhen Science and Technology Program,KCXFZ20211020163816023,Hu Lu,Urban Management Bureau of Shenzhen Municipality,202305,Haowen Guo

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China

    Haowen Guo, Qi Zhang & Hongqi Chen

  2. HKUST Shenzhen-Hong Kong Collaborative Innovation Research Institute, Shenzhen, China

    Haowen Guo & Zhao Lu

  3. Research and Development Center, Shenzhen Foundation Engineering Co. LTD, Shenzhen, China

    Zhao Lu

  4. Xiaping Municipal Solid Waste Landfill, Shenzhen, China

    Wei Wei

  5. Shenzhen Polytechnic, Shenzhen, China

    Hu Lu

Authors
  1. Haowen Guo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Qi Zhang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Zhao Lu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Wei Wei
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Hu Lu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Hongqi Chen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

HG: conceptualisation, methodology, writing—original draft, project administration; QZ: methodology, investigation, data curation, formal analysis, writing—original draft; ZL: investigation, writing—review and editing; WW: writing—review and editing, project administration; HL: writing—review and editing, project administration; HC: investigation, methodology, writing—review and editing.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Qi Zhang.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Guo, H., Zhang, Q., Lu, Z. et al. Investigation on the hydraulic response of a bioengineered landfill cover system subjected to extreme drying-wetting cycle. Bull Eng Geol Environ 83, 14 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-023-03518-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10064-023-03518-4

Keywords

Search

Navigation