3D electrical resistivity tomography technique for the investigation of a construction and demolition waste landfill site

Abstract

We present the practical application of a 3D electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) geophysical survey conducted in order to calculate the geometrical features and general structure of a construction and demolition waste layer in an old unregulated landfill prior to redevelopment. As traditional geological/geotechnical investigations comprised of cone penetration tests (CPT) failed to provide reliable results, primarily due to the nature of the underlying waste, a geophysical investigation was commissioned and found to be very effective in providing useful and accurate information to the project's environmental and engineering team. The ERT survey data were collected in parallel equidistant lines and were subsequently merged and inverted as a single 3D dataset. The processed data depicted clearly the interface between the resistive construction waste and the conductive undisturbed host clay layer ranging at depths between 3 and 11 m. As a result of this successful geophysical investigation the total volume of the solid waste materials was calculated to be about 32500 m 3 . Following the complete removal of the waste it became evident that the ERT geophysical survey results were particularly accurate. As a result, the reclamation constructor was able to carefully plan the required resources for excavating, moving and disposing of the waste. Interpreted ERT data not only defined the thickness of the debris layer and the total volume with a deviation of less than 10%, but also revealed the inner structure of the solid waste layer.

Detailed landfill leachate plume mapping using 2D and 3D electrical resistivity tomography - with correlation to ionic strength measured in screens

“…Non-invasive geophysical methods have been used extensively to investigate the composition and structure of the subsurface, and in particular electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) has been used for studying the landfills and related contaminated sites (Casado et al, 2015;Konstantaki et al, 2015;Slater and Binley, 2006;Vargemezis et al, 2015;Wang et al, 2015). The application of ERT for the study of the landfill sites addresses two main complimentary issues: (1) Mapping of extent of landfill sources (Bernstone et al, 2000;Ogilvy et al, 2002); and (2) Identification and mapping of landfill leachate plumes (Acworth and Jorstad, 2006;Perozzi and Holliger, 2008;Zume et al, 2006).…”

Ground Magnetic, GPR, and Dipole-Dipole Resistivity for Landfill Investigation

“…In recent years, one of the new developments is the use of 2D electrical imaging/tomography surveys to map areas with moderately complex geology and investigate landfill characterization [1]- [3] [5] [6]. In the study area, dipole-dipole resistivity survey was conducted to investigate any possible leakage and/or contamination.…”

“…electrical resistivity/induced polarization imaging, very low frequency-EM, and seismic refractionn tomography at Unguwan Dosa municipal solid waste-disposal site in Kaduna metropolis, North Western Nigeria to investigate ground water contamination. In 2015, reference [6] conducted 3D geoelectrical resistivity tomography (ERT) in an old unregulated landfill prior to redevelopment to calculate the geometrical features and general structure of a construction and demolition of a waste layer.…”

Geotechnical and geophysical characterisations of construction waste-infilled quarry for housing and commercial developments: Case study of Tehran, Iran

“…Jarvis (2011) presented a case of quarry reclamation for housing development in the United Kingdom by means of 38-m-high reinforced soil retaining walls with a face angle of 45°. Regarding site characterisation of building on waste disposal sites and infilled pits, a few cases were reported by Charles (2008), Skinner (2001, Vargemezis et al (2015) and Watts and Charles (2015). Santos et al (1998) utilised conventional geotechnical field testing, such as cone penetration tests (CPTs), standard penetration tests (SPTs) and plate load tests (PLTs) in determining geotechnical properties (settlement, Young's modulus and strength parameters) of solid waste materials.…”

“…Santos et al (1998) utilised conventional geotechnical field testing, such as cone penetration tests (CPTs), standard penetration tests (SPTs) and plate load tests (PLTs) in determining geotechnical properties (settlement, Young's modulus and strength parameters) of solid waste materials. Vargemezis et al (2015) found traditional CPT incapable of accurately detecting the interface between the waste materials and the host clay layer in a construction and demolition waste landfill site in northern Greece due to the impossibility of penetrating through the solid demolition debris. The geo-electric resistivity was, however, found more precise in the study by Vargemezis et al (2015) in estimating the thicknesses of the construction and demolition waste compared to the actual thicknesses verified by excavation of the landfill and removal of the debris.…”