Engineering geological analysis of municipal solid waste landfill stability

Abstract

Sanitary landfills are the main disposal method of municipal solid waste (MSW). There are multiple engineering issues in the construction and operation of landfills. Because the engineering properties of MSW are complicated and landfills can easily become unstable under the influence of external factors, landfill stability is the most significant engineering issue in landfill operation. This paper presents a review of engineering geological analyses of municipal solid waste landfill stability. Selected case histories involving instability of landfills are discussed based on published research, and the instabilities and their likely causes are examined. The concept of landfills as geologic bodies is introduced, and the factors that affect landfill stability are discussed, based on the engineering properties of the waste, the structural features of the landfill body, and dynamic engineering and geological process such as earthquakes, rainfall, and human engineering activity. Finally, suggestions for landfill operation based on the reviewed case studies and the analysis are presented and a summary of the factors influencing landfill instability is outlined.