Progressive Failure of Lined Waste Impoundments

Abstract

Progressive failure can occur along geosynthetic interfaces in lined waste landfills when peak strengths are greater than residual strengths. A displacement-softening formulation for geosynthetic interfaces was used in finite-element analyses of lined waste impoundments to evaluate the significance of progressive failure effects. First, the Kettleman Hills landfill was analyzed, and good agreement was found between the calculated and observed failure heights. Next, parametric analyses of municipal solid waste landfills were performed. Progressive failure was significant in all cases. Limit equilibrium analyses were also performed, and recommendations are provided for incorporating progressive failure effects in limit equilibrium analyses of municipal solid waste landfills.