One-Dimensional Compressibility Study on Fiber-Reinforced Municipal Solid Waste (MSW Fines)

Abstract

Municipal solid waste (MSW) due to its extreme heterogeneity not only causes a problem in its management but also makes it difficult to reuse as a geomaterial. This particular study concentrates on the consolidation behavior of MSW fines (particles finer than 4.75 mm) when mixed with fibers (part of the waste itself) in different concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8, and 10%). Standard oedometer tests were carried out to explore the influence of fiber concentration on the consolidation behavior of MSW fines. The higher fiber concentrations (FC) reduce the compressibility of MSW fines and hence consolidation settlement. This delays the consolidation process and reduces the coefficient of consolidation (Cv) which indirectly increases the piping resistance. High primary consolidation values suggest using the square root of time method over the other methods for the considered waste. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Indian Geotechnical Society.