PROVISION OF EROSION CONTROL OF MCGM DUMPING GROUND CAPING

SYSTEM AT KANJUR, MUMBAI.

Dr. Ganesh Kame*, PhD_IITB
*Geotechnical Engineering Consultant,
Mob: +919967545276, mail: <ganesh.kame@rediffmail.com>

1. INTRODUCTION
Surface erosion is a major problem in the case of landfills. The top soil of the landfills can be
washed away or suffer root exposure as a result of surface erosion, erosion may be due to rain
splash and/or blowing wind e. Methods used to reduce soil erosion include use of growing crops,
forestry or cut slopes. It is important that the landform provides the appropriate drainage
conditions for surface water. Exposed soils vulnerable to erosion will require some form of
protection. This can take in the form of surface protection or plantation. In such type of situations
specialist advice should be sought from the Geotechnical Engineer.
2. STRUCTURE OF A TYPICAL DUMPING GROUND
Structure of a typical dumping ground land fill consists of capping which is the traditional
method for isolating landfill wastes and contaminants. It sometimes is used to address large
volumes of soil or waste with low-levels of contamination. Caps made of asphalt or concrete, or
even a layer of soil planted with grass, can allow some sites to be reused.
2.1 Components of Capping Systems
The components of a landfill capping system may include:
1. topsoil;
2. subsoil;
3. drainage layer;
4. barrier (infiltration) layer;
5. gas drainage layer; and
6. system for leachate recirculation
The landfill site in the form of dumping ground should be designed to encourage natural surface
water drainage. A site specific drainage system needs to be designed and installed. The
maximum gradient for planting is 1 in 3 (18o) as steeper slopes cause problems for tree
management. The absolute limit for forestry equipment (downhill only) is 1 in 2 or

approximately 27o. On steep slopes measures such as planting with grass and using cut-off berms
will reduce the level of soil erosion.
2.2 Objectives of Capping
For smooth functioning of landfills it should fulfill following main objectives:
1. minimizing infiltration of water into the waste;
2. promoting surface drainage and maximize run off;
3. controlling gas migration; and
4. providing a physical separation between waste and plant and animal life.
The capping system normally includes a number of components which are selected to meet the
above objectives. The principal function of the capping system is to minimize infiltration into the
waste and consequently reduce the amount of leachate being generated.
3. DRAINAGE OF LANDFILLS
The final gradients should enable normal agricultural activities to be carried out without
endangering machinery operatives or causing excessive rutting or slippage. The gradients
recommended are site specific and should take account of the types of wastes accepted for land
filling. The minimum slope should promote site drainage by assisting surface water runoff. The
gradients recommended for agriculture restoration include:
1. Minimum gradients of 1 in 25 to 1 in 15 are recommended on landfills which may settle,
depending on local soil and climate;
2. Gradients of 1 in 25 up to 1 in 3 are appropriate for grassland; and gradients steeper than
1 in 3 are not suitable.
As gradients increase, the risk of soil erosion and rapid surface runoff increases. This may also
lead to problems of increased suspended solids in drainage waters.
4. EROSION CONTROL OF LANDFILLS
Erosion control methods and practices should be adopted on sites where soil erosion may occur.
These include:
1. the establishment of vegetation as early as possible on restored soils;
2. the establishment of grass in areas where interim erosion has occurred or areas awaiting
tree planting;
3. the carrying out of cultivation operations out across the slope to avoid creating
downslope channels;

the formation of vegetated buffer zone around the perimeter of the site will reduce the speed of
surface water run-off and result in the depositing of suspended solids across the buffer strip; and
the encouragement of the development of good soil structure which will increase water
infiltration. This can be achieved by improving fertility, selecting plants which develop extensive
fibrous root system, alleviation of compaction and installation of effective field drainage.

Side slopes of aboveground landfill shall not be steeper than three meter horizontal to one meter
vertical rise to control erosion of the final cover material. Such units shall incorporate reverse
sloping benches or terraces into the side slopes of the landfill and shall contain down slope
drainage ways with water flow energy dissipaters.
5. TYPES OF CAPPING SYSTEMS
5.1 Hazardous Landfill Capping System
The capping system for this type of facility should consist of at minimum the following:
1. top soil (150 - 300mm) and subsoil of at least 1m total thickness;
2. drainage layer of 0.5m thickness having a minimum hydraulic conductivity of 1x10-4m/s;
and
3. a compacted mineral layer of a minimum 0.6m thickness having a hydraulic conductivity
of less than or equal to 1x10-9m/s in intimate contact with a 1mm flexible membrane
liner.
Consideration should be given to the inclusion of a gas collection layer of natural material or a
geosynthetic layer.

5.2 Non-Hazardous Biodegradable Landfill Capping System

The capping system for this type of facility should consist of at minimum the following:
1. top soil (150 - 300mm) and subsoil of at least 1m total thickness;
2. drainage layer of 0.5m thickness having a minimum hydraulic conductivity of 1x10-4m/s;
3. compacted mineral layer of a minimum 0.6m thickness having a hydraulic conductivity
of less than or equal to 1x10-9m/s or a geosynthetic material (e.g. GCL) or similar that
provides equivalent protection; and
4. a gas collection layer of natural material (minimum 0.3m) or a geosynthetic layer.

Consideration should be given to the inclusion of a flexible membrane liner in the capping
system. The inclusion of leachate recirculation systems should be considered for landfill sites
that have liner systems in place.
5.3 Inert Landfill Capping System
The capping system for an inert landfill should consist of:
1. top soil and subsoil, thickness dependent on afteruse but to a minimum of 0.5m.
6. CAP STABILITY
It may be necessary to carry out an analysis of the cap stability. This may be especially the case
for steep slopes (steeper than 1:6); and components that may have a low friction interface (e.g.
interface between a geomembrane and a wet compacted clay).
Stability will depend on the shear strength properties of the soils, waste, and geosynthetic
components used in the cap system. Additionally, the presence of water acts as a destabilising
agent in reducing the strength and increasing the destabilising force. Stability is usually
expressed in terms of factor of safety which can be defined as the shear strength required to
maintain a condition of limiting equilibrium compared with the available shear strength of the
material in question. If the factor of safety is less than one the system is obviously unstable.
A number of methods are available for analyzing slope stability. Slope stability should be
analysed using conventional limit state analysis. To improve slope stability geogrids or
geotextile reinforcement layers may be incorporated into the cap.

7. SURFACE WATER SYSTEM DESIGN

The design of surface water drains is usually based on storm events with specified return period
and duration of rainfall. Common return periods for design purposes are 1, 5, 10, 25 and 50
years. The return period may be selected based on site characteristics, the risk of failure and the
consequences of failure of the drainage system. It should be noted that longer return periods will
lead to systems with greater capacities but at a higher cost.
The peak discharge rate and run off volume during peak discharge should be determined. Design
methods used include:
1. Rational Method;
2. Modified Rational Method; and
3. TRL (Transport Research Laboratory) Hydrograph Method.

The surface water management systems should be designed to collect and control at least the
water volume resulting from a specified duration and return period. Rainfall intensity may be
calculated based on time of concentration and return period. Values for specific durations and
return periods for various parts of Ireland can be obtained from the Meteorological.
8. METHODOLOGY OF PROPOSED WORK
As discussed in section from 1 to 7 it is very necessary to have properly designed erosion control
system for landfill at Kanjur. The photograph of such landfill capping is shown in figure 1
below.

Figure 1 Landfill capping at Kanjur

8.1 Proposed Work
The proposed protection work will be consisting of controlling erosion with following
measure.
2. Applying environment friendly biaxial grid of suitable gsm and appropriate make,
which will permit vegetation.
3. Providing horizontal band of appropriate materials at intermittent locations to
control velocity of surface water.