Narges Karimi Tabar
B.Eng, Civil Engineering, Carleton University, 2012
Title
Experimental and Numerical Simulation of Stress Distribution in Landfills
Abstract
This thesis conceptually illustrates stress distribution within landfills by
hypothesising the concept of a “hard inclusion”. It was demonstrated, via
laboratory experiments and numerical modelling, that the concept of a “hard
inclusion” may be partially responsible for elevated stresses measured by Total
Earth Pressure Cells (TEPCs) installed within waste in landfills during previous
studies as well as horizontal pipe collection/recirculation systems. The high
failure rate in horizontal collection systems in engineered landfills and horizontal
gas and leachate collection and leachate recirculation systems in bioreactor
landfills may be partially attributed to high contrasts in moduli between the
bedding material surrounding the pipe collection/recirculation systems and the
waste. Similar contrasts in moduli can explain elevated stress measurements
obtained by TEPCs to date. Findings of numerical simulations conducted using
GeoStudio software validated the results obtained from the experimental work.
More stress is concentrated on TEPC/pipe surrounded by a stiff medium such as
sand and more stress is distributed around the TEPC/pipe when they are
surrounded by a less stiff medium. It is important to understand the stress
distribution in landfills to help landfill designers in the design of
collection/recirculation systems.
Degree
Master of Applied Science in Civil Engineering
Date completed
2015
Supervisor(s)
Paul Van Geel and Rayhani
1