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Cracking Behavior and Hydraulic Conductivity of Amended Soils Used in Landfill Cover Under Wetting–Drying Cycles

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Abstract

The hydraulic barrier layer, a crucial component of landfill cover systems, plays a vital role in preventing water ingress into waste layers. Natural soils are amended to be used in the construction of barrier layers for cover systems in landfills, and bentonite-amended red earth is one such amended soil. This paper covers the potential replacement of bentonite-amended red earth using Waste Foundry Sand (WFS) which is a by-product of metal-casting industries as a landfill cover material. Red earth and Waste Foundry Sand were mixed with bentonite in different proportions to prepare amended soils. The percentages of bentonite added to WFS were 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%, while that for red earth were 3%, 6%, 9% and 12%. The EA-specified limiting values of hydraulic conductivity, plasticity characteristics and swelling with respect to various mix proportions were assessed using laboratory tests. Hydraulic conductivity was determined using a modified consolidometer method, and the other geotechnical tests were conducted in accordance with relevant standards. Red earth with 6% bentonite and WFS with 10% bentonite provided the optimum results for landfill cover systems. Simulating seasonal variations, the optimum samples underwent five cycles of alternate wetting and drying. The hydraulic conductivity and crack intensity factor (CIF) of the tested samples were found to increase up to three cycles of alternate wetting and drying. This study presents WFS with 10% bentonite as a promising sustainable alternative to amended red earth, meeting specifications and paving the way for reusing an industrial by-product instead of relying on quarried soils. Beyond landfill construction, this research contributes to the broader discourse on environmentally conscious waste management practices.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Civil Engineering, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi, 682022, India

    Sanoop Giresh & Sobha Cyrus

  2. Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi, 682022, India

    Benny Mathews Abraham

  3. Albertian Institute of Science and Technology, Kochi, 682022, India

    Benny Mathews Abraham

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  1. Sanoop Giresh
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  2. Sobha Cyrus
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Correspondence to Sobha Cyrus.

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Giresh, S., Cyrus, S. & Abraham, B.M. Cracking Behavior and Hydraulic Conductivity of Amended Soils Used in Landfill Cover Under Wetting–Drying Cycles. Indian Geotech J 54, 1032–1042 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40098-023-00854-w

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