Geotechnical landfill monitoring - adaptations needed

Abstract

Most monitoring programs implemented in sanitary landfills are based on the principles of geotechnical instrumentation and monitoring of earthworks, such as earth dams, which require custom equipment and installation methods. From 2001 to 2008, the behaviour of two sanitary landfills located in the north of Portugal was monitored using traditional geotechnical instrumentation. The objective of this paper was to highlight the problems encountered with the use of traditional geotechnical instrumentation for monitoring the behaviour of urban solid waste. After a brief description of the instrumentation plan implemented in the two sanitary landfills, for each parameter of the behaviour to be monitored, the reasons for the choice of equipment, the installation method implemented, and the main difficulties encountered and adjustments performed during the work are discussed.