Coupled thermal, hydraulic and mechanical (THM) evaluation of compost materials in column
experiement
Tariq M Bajwa, PhD Candidate, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada
M. Fall, Associate Professor, Ottawa University, Ottawa, Canada
Paul H. Simms, Associate Professor, Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada
Abstract
Landfills are considered to be an important global source of the greenhouses gases (GHG). The key
components of landfill gas are CH4 and CO2 contributing 55 – 60% and 40 – 45% v/v respectively. CH4 is
more powerful greenhouse gas than CO2 due to its stronger molar absorption coefficient for infrared
radiation in addition to few other parameters (Abichou et al. 2009; IPCC 2007). The research studies
show that a composted waste material has higher methane oxidation potential in comparison to other
materials. Thermal hydraulic and mechanical (THM) properties affect the performance of landfill cover to
a great extent (Humer – Huber et al., 2009; Pokheral 2006; Cbrel et al. 1999). However, these studies are
only focused evaluating THM properties of compost landfill covers independently. The coupled THM data
is quite limited in the literature for composr based landfill covers. This paper evaluates the coupled
thermal, hydraulic and mechanical (THM) behaviour of compost based landfill covers and present some
useful relationships of practical interest from column test results. It can be concluded from the test results
that the free air space, porosity and suction of a compst cover are a fumction of degree of stauratuion and
settlement as well. Furthermore, the parameters of the thermal, hydraulic and mechanicl (THM) properties
of compost based landfill covers are strongly coupled