Executive Summary : | Landfills use cover systems to prevent the release of harmful gases, rainwater infiltration, erosion, and other environmental risks associated with waste disposal. However, cover systems have been known to fail due to a variety of reasons, including improper construction and maintenance, extreme climate conditions, and inadequate landfill management. This was demonstrated time and again by disastrous examples of landfill cover failures like, Love Canal landfill in New York (USA,1978) and the Laogang landfill in Shanghai (China,2019) which experienced cracking and erosion of their impermeable clay layers during heavy rainfall. This highlights the importance of proper evaluation of the long-term and stability of cover systems. Natural materials have traditionally been used for conventional cover systems, but concerns about resource depletion have prompted research into use of alternative materials. Despite numerous studies on using alternative materials as cover layers, their use in combination with geosynthetics is limited. The aim of this research is to create an alternative cover system (ACS) for landfills in India by utilizing industrial by-products and recycled wastes that are easily accessible. The study will identify suitable waste materials for use in the ACS and evaluate their properties through physio-chemical, and geotechnical tests. The performance of the proposed ACS in conjunction with geosynthetics will also be investigated through tests on parameters such as interface shear strength, adhesion, abrasion, and punching. Additionally, pilot-scale test pads will be developed to assess the field performance of selected materials. To evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed materials under realistic conditions, a numerical model will be developed for a full-scale landfill. The overall goal of this research is to ensure that the findings of the study are effectively used to improve the sustainable waste management practices, reduce resource consumption, and mitigate environmental risks associated with landfill cover systems. |