Spatial Variation of Shear Wave Velocity of Waste Materials from Surface Wave Measurements

The mechanical properties of waste materials are, typically, believed to be more variable than natural soils; however, detailed investigations into the variability of these materials is generally unavailable. The shear wave velocity and its variation with depth and laterally for five different waste types has been measured and analyzed at 26 locations. Shear wave velocity measurements were performed using the multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) and microtremor analysis method (MAM) techniques. Statistical analyses were performed for these locations as well as locations available in the literature. Waste types tested include municipal solid waste (MSW) in Subtitle D landfills in Michigan, MSW in a bioreactor landfill, MSW incineration ash, hazardous waste, construction and demolition waste, and municipal water treatment sludge. An empirical shear wave velocity model with depth is calibrated for each of the various waste types. Spatial variability of shear wave velocity is quantified using the coefficient of variation (COY) as a function of depth. The COY of the shear wave velocity of these waste types was found to be similar to values reported in the literature for soil and rock sites.