Assessment of engineering properties of slag mixtures as a bottom liner in landfills

This work examines the engineering properties and leachate characteristics of ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS) blended with laterite soil–bentonite mixtures as a bottom landfill liner. In this study, laterite soil is considered a non-expansive and non-plastic clay; in contrast, bentonite is a highly expansive and highly plastic clay. Laboratory experiments were performed to quantify the effect of GGBS–laterite soil–bentonite mixtures on the liquid limit (LL), free swell index (FSI), compaction characteristics, unconfined compressive strength (UCS), hydraulic conductivity (k) and leachate characteristics tests. As the GGBS percentage in the mix blend increased, the LL, FSI, optimum moisture content, k determined with deionised water/diesel oil contaminants and leachate concentration decreased, whereas the maximum dry densities and UCS value increased. Furthermore, X-ray diffraction analysis and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were performed on UCS samples to determine the occurrence of a hydration reaction in mix blends at 0, 14 and 28 days of curing. The test results revealed that an increase in the calcium (Ca)/silicon (Si) ratio and a decrease in the aluminium (Al)/calcium ratio enhanced the UCS during the curing period. Consequently, 20% GGBS combined with laterite soil–bentonite mixes proved to be the ideal material for landfill bottom liners in waste containment systems.