Temporary Frost Protection of a Landfill Liner Prior to Landfilling

摘要

Frost penetration effects on municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill liners and covers are of concern in northern climates. Clay layers in liner systems can experience changes in soil properties due to freeze-thaw cycles over a harsh winter season. Landfill liners are protected from frost penetration by the MSW placed in cells during normal operations. Sections of new liner installed in fall, however, may not see MSW until late winter or early spring, requiring frost protection of the liner for one winter season. Regulations require liner protection against frost penetration using MSW, unless alternate protection is provided by a suitably thick soil layer. A case history of selecting a thickness of soil cover to provide protection against frost penetration damage for a landfill liner in West Virginia is presented. Climate data for the area was used to estimate the freezing index for the site and was compared with published values for nearby locations. This data was used to estimate the required thickness of soil protection for lined, but not yet filled areas of the landfill.