Evaluating steel slag Amended soil cover for MSW Landfill

Abstract

Municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills pose environmental challenges due to gas emissions and leachate generation. Traditional soil cover systems are becoming inadequate as landfill areas and waste volumes increase, prompting interest in alternative cover materials that improve stability and control pollutant release. This study investigates a steel slag-amended soil cover system as a potential solution to enhance landfill performance. Steel slag, when mixed with soil, can improve shearing resistance and permeability, enabling the construction of steeper and more stable cover slopes. To evaluate this system, an infinite slope stability analysis was performed for four slope configurations (1H:1V, 2H:1V, 3H:1V, and 4H:1V), considering variations in water table height relative to a 1-meter cover layer. Laboratory tests were carried out on soil samples containing 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% steel slag to determine engineering and index properties. The findings show that steel slag-amended soil covers can safely support steeper slopes while meeting the stability requirements prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board.

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