Earth reinforcement application for hazardous waste containment

This paper describes the design and construction of geogrid-reinforced steepened slopes that provide perimeter containment to a hazardous waste landfill. The geogrid-reinforced slopes (GRS) were constructed as part of a 28,000 sq. m. (7-acre) landfill closure completed in the southeastern part of Michigan, USA in 1995. The GRS, which is up to 14 m (45 ft) high and 460 m (1,500 ft) long, with typical side slopes of 1 horizontal to 1 vertical (1H:1V) was used to stabilize a natural slope in a complex geologic setting around the landfill. In addition to providing stability to the side slopes of the landfill, the GRS provides stability to the 2 m (6.5 ft) thick cover constructed over the landfill. This paper presents a general discussion of the design and construction procedure of the GRS for the landfill. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the largest geogrid-reinforced slope constructed to date in the State of Michigan.