Testing the hydraulic conductivity of degraded municipal solid waste in China

This paper presents a study on the hydraulic conductivity of degraded municipal solid waste (MSW) and its variations with different degradation ages, using a self-made combined permeability–compression test apparatus to perform hydraulic conductivity tests. The principal outcomes were as follows. (a) The hydraulic conductivity decreased gradually with increases in the pressure, density and degradation age. The relationship between the logarithmic hydraulic conductivity and each parameter could be formulated as a linear function, and the fitted coefficients were >0·92, >0·88 and >0·79, respectively. (b) A hydraulic conductivity–pressure–density–degradation age mathematical model was established. These results can be used to provide an empirical basis to analyse the hydraulic conductivity of MSW landfills and design leachate drainage systems in China.