Feasibility analysis on the use of geosynthetics in landfills

Arthur Terra Garcia

Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Brazil, arthur.garcia@engenharia.ufjf.br

Edlaine Feital Barbosa Motta

Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Brazil, edlaine.motta@engenharia.ufjf.br

Júlia Righi de Almeida

Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Brazil, julia.righi@ufjf.edu.br

ABSTRACT: The use of geosynthetics in landfills provides easily execution, high resistance and increases the useful life of these works, since it occupies smaller volumes. However, there is a need for technical and legislative standards to guide and regulate the use of these materials. Thus, the objective of these work is to verify the normative recommendations and the state guidelines on the use of geosynthetics in sanitary landfills and to evaluate the viability of the use of these materials in comparison to the traditional methods. The methodology of this work is to consult the norms of design and execution of existing sanitary landfills, the contact with the responsible environmental agencies and in the case studies to evaluate the costs and the advantages of the application of geosynthetics in sanitary landfills. The results obtained for the feasibility studies showed that the advantages of applying these materials are influenced by the size of the landfill. The investigations of the standards did not present specifications with regard to the application in sanitary landfills and the consultation of public agencies, answers were obtained with few details. It was concluded that the feasibility of the use of geosynthetics, from the economic point of view, is related to the size of the landfill, and the large-scale works are more benefited, however, the application of these materials should not be restricted to financial matters, but the feasibility analysis of factors such as environmental protection, preservation of natural resources, safety, durability, practicality and increased the useful life of the landfill. The normative approach of the subject is lagged to the present and an improvement of the regulations and inspections is necessary. It should also be considered that professionals in the area in conjunction with environmental agencies and companies have the ability to propose regulations for the use of geosynthetics.