Centrifuge and Numerical Study on the Behavior of Clay-Based Landfill Covers Subjected to Differential Settlements

Abstract

AbstractThe objective of this paper is to evaluate the deformation behavior of clay-based landfill covers subjected to differential settlements through centrifuge model studies and finite-element analyses (FEA). A series of centrifuge tests were performed on model soil barriers subjected to continuous differential settlements through a motor-based differential settlement simulator by varying the thickness of the soil barrier with and without overburden equivalent to that of landfill coves at 40 gravities. In addition, a parametric study was carried out numerically by varying the thickness of the soil barrier and overburden pressure by using PLAXIS, a geotechnical finite-element code. The modeling considerations adopted in FEA were developed such that they are close to the centrifuge model tests in prototype dimensions. Differential settlements in FEA were assigned by using predefined displacement profiles. Results from centrifuge model tests deduce that both 0.6 and 1.2 m thick soil barriers were observed...