Large-Box Direct Shear Test of Municipal Solid Waste: A Case Study

Abstract

Improper disposal of municipal solid waste in landfill sites in the form of huge dump slopes led to various slope instability problems in metro cities. The stability of such slopes is largely governed by the shear strength parameters of the slope. In the present study, the shear strength parameters of a municipal solid waste disposal site were determined by conducting consolidated undrained direct shear test with a shear box size of 300 × 300 mm. Effective shear strength parameters were evaluated considering peak shear stresses corresponding to 25 mm shear displacement. Apparent cohesion, c′, of 7.4–14.5 kPa with effective friction angle, φ′, of 27.5–30.10° were evaluated from the direct shear results. The results of these tests will lead to a better understanding of shear strength properties of municipal solid waste material and ensuring safe disposal of the material in the form of sustainable dump slopes.