VISVESVARAYA TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY,

BELAGAVI-590018

2022-2023

ALTERNATIVE MATERIAL FOR LANDFILLLINERS AND

COVER

A PROJECT REPORT SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT

FOR THE 8th SEMESTER

BACHELOR OF ENGINEERING IN CIVIL ENGINEERING

NAME: USN:

ASHIEK T A 1NH19CV017
YASHAS S 1NH19CV135
S VISHWAS 1NH19CV100
LOHITH K 1NH19CV059

UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF:

Dr. Geetha Varma V
Associate Professor
DEARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We express our sincere thanks to Dr. MOHAN MANGHANI, Chairman of New

Horizon College of Engineering for providing necessary infrastructure and creating good
environment.

We would express our great thanks to Dr. MANJUNATHA, Principal of New Horizon
College of Engineering, outer ring road Marathahalli, Bengaluru - 560103 for granting us
permission to undertake the VTU prescribed project.

We express our deep sense of gratitude and thanks to Head of Civil Engineering
Department, Dr. NIRANJAN P.S, for providing necessary facilities and encouraging us
to make this project grand success.

We sincerely acknowledge the encouragement, timely help and guidance of Dr. GEETHA
VARMA V Associate Professor, Department of Civil Engineering.

With a great pleasure, we wish to express our deep sense of gratitude and profound thanks
to staff members of the Department of Civil Engineering for their valuable guidance in
both the field work and the office work which helped us to complete the project
within the prescribed time.
 DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

CERTIFICATE

It is hereby certified that the project work titled “ALTERNATIVE MATERIAL FOR
LANDFILL LINERS AND COVERS”, ASHIEK T. A (1NH19CV017), YASHAS.S
(1NH19CV135), S. VISHWAS (1NH19CV100), LOHITH. K (1NH19CV059) the carried
out by bonafide students of Eighth semester in partial fulfillment for the award Bachelor of
Engineering in Civil Engineering of the Visvesvaraya Technological University, Belagavi
during the year 2022- 2023. It is certified that all corrections/suggestions indicated for
internal assessment have been incorporated in the report. The project has been certified as it
satisfies the academic requirement in respect of project work.

GUIDE: HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT

Dr. GEETHA VARMA V Dr. NIRANJAN P.S

………………………… .....……………………

Examiners:

1. ………………….. 2. …………………..
1. ABSTRACT

A Landfill is an engineered pit in which layers of solid waste are filled compacted and
covered for final disposal. The main components of a landfill are the Bottom liners,
leachate collection system, and a top cover. The bottom liners maybe made of one or
more layers of synthetic membrane overlying on a clay layer similarly the cover is also
generally made up of several sloped layers in which a clay layer is overlain by a
geomembrane layer. The factors that affect the quality of this clay layer in the bottom
liners and covers is its permeability and hydraulic conductivity. Researches have shown
that the permeability of this clay layer should not be greater than 1.0 × 10-9 m/sec. The
non availability of this clay soil at the site and also to prevent the use of this fertile soil
which could otherwise be used for other activities like farming, to make toys and pots,
construction, landscaping, ceramics etc. it became necessary for the development of an
alternative to this clay soil. In this study the Granite Polish Waste which is a waste
slurry coming out from the polishing process of natural granite slabs, to give them fine
finish is used as an alternative material. The geotechnical properties of this material are
studied and the properties of this materials are also altered by adding Sodium Bentonite
and checked if the properties match with the required properties of the competent
material for a landfill liner and covers.
2. TABLE OF CONTENTS

PG
SNO. DESCRIPTION NO.
1. ABSTRACT 4

3. LIST OF FIGURES 6

4. LIST OF TABLES 6

5. INTRODUCTION 7

6. LITERATURE REVIEW 8

7. SUMMARY OF THE REVIEW 12

8. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY 12

9. MATERIAL 13

9.1 GRANITE POLISH WASTE 13

9.2 SODIUM BENTONITE 13

10. METHODOLOGY 13

10.1 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM 13

10.2 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY 14

10.3 GEOTECHNICAL TESTS PERFORMED 14

10.4 ADDITION OF SODIUM BENTONITE TO 27

GRANITE POLISH WASTE
11. RESULT AND DISCUSSION 29

12. CONCLUSION 31

13. REFERENCES 31
3. LIST OF FIGURES

S NO: PAGE NO :

FIG 1 – Landfill Liners and Covers 08

FIG 2 – Moisture content test 16

FIG 3 – Atterberg’s limits- Liquid limit, Plastic limit 18,19

and Shrinkage limit Test
FIG 4 – Grain Size Analysis – Gravel, Sand, Silt, 21
Clay. Test

FIG 5 – Specific Gravity of Granite Polish Waste 23

Test

FIG 6 – Maximum Dry Density Granite Polish Waste 25

Test
FIG 7 – Permeability test – Falling Head 27
Permeability Test

4. LIST OF TABLES

S NO: PAGE NO:

TABLE 1 – Geotechnical Properties of Granite 29

Polish Waste

TABLE 2 – Granite Polish and effect of Sodium 30

Bentonite
5. INTRODUCTION

With the increase in the population, change in lifestyle of people, increase in technology and
industries there has been a drastic increase in the quantity as well as quality of wastes. Hence, the
safe disposal of these wastes has become an important criterion or these wastes would become
hazardous to the environment and human beings.
Landfill is the oldest and most common form of waste disposal. Hence an engineered Landfill is a
facility designed for the safe and environment friendly disposal of solid wastes instead of open
dumps. The main aim is to avoid any connection between the wastes and the surrounding
environment.

An engineered landfill consists of 3 main components:

Leachate collection system – To collect the leachate and contaminated water that seep down at the
bottom of landfill by system of pipes.

Bottom liners – It may be of one or more layers of clay and synthetic geomembrane.
The function of the liner is to minimize the percolation of water and
leachate thereby minimizing the underground water pollution. If the
bottom liner fails the wastes will directly migrate to the environment.

Cover – It generally consists of several sloped layers of clay overlain by a very

permeable layer of sandy or gravelly soil. The function of cover is to
keep water out of landfill preventing in leachate formation and
preventing landfill gases from escaping into the atmosphere which
may otherwise cause air pollution and ozone depletion.

The hydraulic barrier layer of the liners and covers are usually a composite layer made up of a
geomembrane layer overlying a compacted clay layer whose hydraulic conductivity by the research
is determined to be not greater than 1.0×10−9m/sec.
The compacted clay soil is a fertile soil which is used for various purposes like farming, to make pots
andtoys as water can be held in the tiny gaps between particles of clay and gets sticky when it comes
in contact with water, it is also used in construction, ceramics, medicinal, landscaping etc. Hence
instead of using this fertile soil an alternative material could be introduced which is the Granite Polish
Waste which is a slurry coming out from the polishing of natural granite slabs to give them fine finish.

This industrial waste can be blended with Sodium bentonite which can lower the hydraulic
conductivity to certain magnitude.

FIG 1 :- Landfill Liners and Covers

6. LITERATURE REVIEW

1] Stewart & Mollins, (1996) - In 1996, Stewart and Mollins evaluated the use of bentonite-
improved soils for waste containment, using one-dimensional swelling experiments and hydraulic
conductivity measures. Bentonite powder swells to enter a final state represented by a single straight
line on a graph of void ratio against the vertical effective stress logarithm, irrespective of the
preparation methods. Swelling of sand / bentonite blends described in terms of clay void ratio
indicates a divergence from bentonite behaviour over a tension that depends on the quality of
bentonite. For bentonite and sand/bentonite mixtures, hydraulic conductivity results show a roughly
linear relationship between the void ratio logarithm and the hydraulic conductivity logarithm

2] Sivapullaiah et al., (2003) - In 2003, Sivapullaiah and Lakshmi conducted an investigation of

Indian red earth combined with 20 percent of bentonite coated with either 1 percent lime or cement.
Indian red earth mainly contains of the mineral’s quartz and kaolinite. Although holding soil
hydraulic conductivity low, it increases the potential for swelling and shrinking, and increase the
potential for swelling and shrinking, and increases the reduction in strength due to reduced cohesion.

The addition of lime or cement improves the mixture volume stability. Lime has a greater role in
reducing soil compressibility than cement. Based on the overall evaluation, it was concluded that 20
percent red earth stabilised bentonite mixture with 1 percent lime or cement can be used as a liner
construction material.
3] Cokca & Yilmaz, (2004) - In 2004, Cokca and Yilmaz completed a set of laboratory experiments
on fly ash added from rubber and bentonite. The experiments aimed to determine the possibility of
using rubber, bentonite and fly ash as a low hydraulic conductivity liner material. Use of fly ash in a
liner process in areas near to the power plant may be economically attractive. The use of fly ash in
this way even has the benefit of recycling a by-product of industrial waste without negatively
impacting the landscape or future land use. Overall results evaluation indicated the fly ash applied to
rubber and bentonite show a significant success and good choice for liner construction.

4] Bozbey & Guler, (2006) - In 2006, Bozbey and Guler studied the potential use of the excavated
soil as landfill liner material after a highway project. While the soil gained in terms of strength from
lime treatment, the values of hydraulic conductivity were adversely impacted. This conclusion was
established using both lab and field experiments. Elevated compactive efforts resulted in increased
dry unit weights in lab tests and reduced hydraulic conductivity but never in field tests. This has been
attributed to intrinsic variations in the compaction system used. There is no known technique for
direct comparison of the forces used in the field with those of the techniques of impact applied in the
lab.

5] Katsumi et al., (2008) - In 2008, Katsumi investigated the applicability of two improved bentonite
compounds, dense rehydrated geosynthetic clay liner and multi-swellable bentonite, saturated with
electrolytic chemical solutions to waste containment facilities. Based on long-term testing results of
the hydraulic conductivity, all multi-swellable bentonite and dense-rehydrated clay liner show
exceptional resistance and swelling to chemical agents. Hence, each have capacity in terms of
hydraulic conductivity as barrier materials at waste containment sites
6] Roberts & Shimaoka, (2008)- In 2008, Roberts and Shimaoka Studied the using bentonite-coated
gravel as waste landfill liner material in which each particle aggregate is coated with the clay
material. They conducted laboratory tests to determine controlled and unregulated factors for liner
materials. Results revealed that hydraulic conductivities are low and could be done through the correct
application of compactive forces. With this material, compressibility is low even at low compactify
forces. The findings also suggested how better compactify action would decrease bentonite-coated
gravel permeability

7] Umar et al., (2015). - In 2015, Umar examined the feasibility of using metakaolin to enhance the
characteristics of compacted laterite soil for municipal solid waste containment barrier structures.
The soil has been replaced by zero, five percent, ten percent, fifteen percent and twenty percent
metakaolin. The findings of this analysis indicated a general enhancement in the soil samples'
unconfined compressive strength, with a rise in the proportion of metakaolin substitution. Results of
the analysis also indicated that the hydraulic conductivity values of the samples saturated with
leachate are higher than those of the hydraulic conductivity results obtained when de-ionized water
was used as the saturated fluid

8] Parastar et al., (2017). - In 2017, Parastar enhanced the performance of geotextile clay liner
structures. By modifying certain structural factors such as texture, geotextile density, type of clay,
clay density, geotextile thickness, and punching needle density, a series of geotextile clay liner
samples were manufactured. Sample self-healing properties were tested, and the findings were
explained using an analytical model. It has been concluded that greater Montmorillonite composition
of clay, overload pressure, needle punching density and density of clay have good self-healing
characteristics and less hydraulic conductivity, while, hydraulic conductivity increases with rising
water pressure
9] Y. G. Chen et al., (2019) - In 2019, G. Chen studied the adsorption ability of Pb2 by the laterite-
bentonite combination for use as waste landfill liner. The test results demonstrated that the absorption
of Pb2 by laterite-bentonite combination increases with an increase in contact time and bentonite
amount and eventually reaches a concentration of equilibrium. The greater the bentonite component
of the mixture, the less the equilibrium time. Although of the much higher adsorption potential of
bentonitethan laterite, the Pb2 adsorption rate of pure bentonite is around eight times that of laterite.

10] Maritsa et al., (2016) - Maritsa conducted an investigation into the viability of spilite, a mining
waste material-product from the extraction of nickeliferous laterites, as an alternative base liner
material in MSW landfills. Based on the findings of chemical and mineralogical analysis, it is a
silicon-rich substance and is distinguished by the large proportion of sodium feldspar. Six major
phases where chlorite and muscovite may lead to a reduction in the final hydraulic conductivity were
found. The higher albite content, along with the existence of chlorite, is characteristic of greenschist
rocks.

11] Slim et al., (2016). - Slim explored the addition of polymers to a combination of paper grinding
and fly ash to optimise a model that would be appropriate as a landfill liner component. He
demonstrated the ability to improve the material's attractive engineering characteristics. Initial
research reveals that polymer A has the maximum unit weight at one percent. This will turn into a
tighter structure of packedsoil and will have a low hydraulic conductivity. The material demonstrated
the most consistent increase in friction angle, stability and shear strength with the addition of polymer
B, rendering this combination the most appropriate for production.

12] Kalkan, (2006) - Kalkan examined the effect of red mud on hydraulic conductivity, swelling and
unconfined compressive strength ratio of clay liners as a hydraulic shield (red mud is an industrial
wasteproduced by the aluminium industry commonly used to generate alumina from bauxite) . Test
results indicate that compacted clay products contain red mud and cement red mud compounds have
a good compressive strength and lower hydraulic conductivity and swelling rate relative to normal
clay.
7. SUMMARY OF THE REVIEW

The science between the liners and the covers can be seen in all the literature reviews above. The
parameters governing the performance of the liners and covers are the Hydraulic conductivity, initial
water contents, liners thickness, and site-specific weather conditions. Reviews also as defined the
issues about of the materials effects liner performance, and subjected that permeability coefficients are
needed to improve liner and cover performance. To safeguard ground water effectively and
economically the landfill liner and the cover could be made of an industrial waste, which can attain
low permeability and high strength by addition of some additives. The use of this industrial waste
can also eradicate the problem of disposal of this waste which has been a problem in some of the parts
of the state.

8. OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

• The prime objective of the study is to conduct an experimental study to check if the clay layer of
landfill liners can be replaced with a blend of granite polish waste, which involves:

• To study the various journals related to the landfill liners and covers, alternative materials for
liners and covers and the additives to be added.

• Collection of Granite Polish waste from Granite industries.

• Performing various geotechnical tests to conclude the soil group, the granite polish waste belongs
to.

• Addition of different percentages of sodium bentonite to granite polish waste and determine it
permeability for each percentage of quantity is added to check if it is reduced to the required
range.

• Testing of the permeability under the acidic condition and alkaline condition [ that is PH less than
3 and greater than and check if the coefficient of permeability is at the required rang.
9. MATERIALS

9.1. Granite Polish waste – It is a waste slurry coming out from the polishing process of
natural granite slabs,to give them a fine finish. As there are many industries in operation
in granite throughout the world, large quantity of these wastes is being generated which
faces disposal problem of these wastes.

9.2. Sodium bentonite – Sodium bentonite is an absorbent aluminum phyllosilicate. It

expands when wet, it can absorb several times its dry weight in water. It is essentially
an impure clay consisting mostly of montmorillonite. It is generally used to reduce the
hydraulic content.
Granite Polish waste are individually mixed with different percentages of sodium
bentonite and their change in the permeability is observed with distilled water.

10. METHODOLOGY

10.1. STATEMENT OF PROBLEM:

• In the recent years, the composite clay layers are used for the Landfill liners and
covers. But due to the non-availability of suitable clay soil at the site and to
prevent the use of fertile soil for these layers, it becomes necessary to develop
an alternative material for these layers.

• As many industries are in operation of the granite throughout the world,

considerably large quantity of Granite Polish waste is being generated and
creating heaps of this waste which faces disposal problem e.g., Ilakal town in
Bagalkot district Karnataka is one such place which faces such problem. Hence
this Granite Polish waste may be used as the alternative material for the Landfill
liners.
10.2. SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY:

The use of this alternative material “Granite Polish Waste” in the landfill liners and
covers in some parts of the country can eradicate the problem of disposal of this
industrial waste and also could solve the problem of the non-availability of the soil and
prevent the use of the fertile soil for the disposal of the solid wastes.

EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAMME

The various geotechnical properties of the of the granite polish waste is determined like
the Moisture content, Atterberg’s limit, Grain size analysis, Specific gravity, and
permeability. The soil group it belongs to is then reported.

10.3.GEOTECHNICAL TESTS PEROFRMED

➢ Natural moisture content and Optimum moisture content.

The natural moisture content (NMC) and optimum moisture content (OMC) are
important parameters in soil mechanics. The procedure for determining the NMC and
OMC of a soil sample is as follows:

• Sample collection: Collect a representative soil sample from the site where the
moisture content is to be determined. The sample should be taken from the topsoil
layer and should be free from any organic matter or debris.

• Weighing the sample: Weigh the soil sample in its natural state and record its weight
as W1.

• Drying the sample: Place the soil sample in an oven at a temperature of 105°C to
110°C and leave it for 24 hours. Remove the sample from the oven and allow it to
cool to room temperature. Weigh the sample again and record its weight as W2.
• Calculation of natural moisture content: Calculate the natural moisture content
(NMC) using the following formula:

• NMC = [(W1 - W2) / W2] x 100

• Adding water to the sample: Add water to the soil sample in small increments while
thoroughly mixing it. Repeat this process until the soil reaches a plastic state, i.e.,
the soil can be molded into a ball without crumbling.

• Determining the OMC: Determine the OMC by noting the moisture content of the
soil at which it exhibits the maximum dry density. This can be done by performing
a series of compaction tests on the soil sample with varying moisture contents and
noting the corresponding dry densities. The moisture content at which the maximum
dry density is obtained is the OMC.

FIG 2: - Moisture content test

RESULT- The natural moisture content of Granite Polish Waste is 0.4%

The optimum moisture content of Granite Polish Waste is 25%
Atterberg’s limits- Liquid limit, Plastic limit and Shrinkage limit.

Atterberg’s limits refer to the water content of a soil at different stages of

consistency. There are three Atterberg’s limits, namely liquid limit, plastic limit,
and shrinkage limit. The procedure for determining these limits is as follows:

1. Liquid limit: The liquid limit (LL) is the water content at which the soil changes from
the plastic state to the liquid state. The procedure for determining the LL is as follows:

• Take a soil sample of about 100g and place it in a standard cup known as the
Casagrande cup.

• Using a grooving tool, make a groove of standard dimensions across the soil sample.

• Lift the cup and drop it from a height of 1 cm on the base plate in a rhythmic manner
until the groove closes. Count the number of blows required to close the groove.
This number is known as the number of blows to close the groove (N).

• Record the water content of the soil sample and repeat the procedure with varying
water contents until at least five N values are obtained.

• Plot a graph of the number of blows versus the water content and draw a line of best
fit. The water content corresponding to N=25 is taken as the liquid limit.

1. Plastic limit: The plastic limit (PL) is the water content at which the soil changes
from the plastic state to the semi-solid state. The procedure for determining the PL
is as follows:

• Take a soil sample of about 100g and roll it into a thread of uniform diameter.

• Using a flat glass plate, break the thread of soil sample into pieces of standard
dimensions until it is no longer possible to form a thread.

• Record the water content of the soil sample and repeat the procedure with varying
water contents until at least five PL values are obtained.
• The PL is the water content corresponding to the point where the soil sample starts
to crumble when rolled into a thread of 3 mm diameter.

2. Shrinkage limit: The shrinkage limit (SL) is the water content at which the soil
volume no longer changes on further reduction in water content. The procedure for
determining the SL is as follows:

• Take a soil sample of known weight and record its volume.

• Dry the soil sample in an oven at a temperature of 110°C to a constant weight and
record its weight.

• Add water to the dried soil sample in small increments and knead it to ensure
uniform distribution.

• Record the volume of the soil sample after each addition of water until it no longer
changes on further addition of water.

• The water content corresponding to this point is known as the shrinkage limit.
 FIG 3: - Atterberg’s limits- Liquid limit, Plastic limit and Shrinkage limit Test

RESULT- The liquid limit of granite polish waste is non-Plastic

The Plastic limit of granite polish waste is non-Plastic

The Shrinkage limit of granite polish waste is 32.08%

The Plasticity index of granite polish waste is non-Plastic

Grain Size Analysis – Gravel, Sand, Silt, Clay.

Grain size analysis is an important method for determining the distribution of particle
sizes in a soil sample. The procedure for grain size analysis is as follows:

• Sample collection: Collect a representative soil sample from the site where the grain
size analysis is to be conducted.

• Preparation of sample: Remove any visible organic matter or debris from the soil
sample and break down any large clumps of soil.

• Weighing the sample: Weigh about 100g of the soil sample and record its weight.

• Sieving: Use a series of sieves with different mesh sizes to separate the soil particles
into different size fractions. The sieves are arranged in decreasing order of mesh
size, and the finest sieve is placed on top of a collecting pan.

• Shaking: Place the soil sample on the top sieve and shake it manually or using a
mechanical shaker until no further material passes through the sieve. Weigh the
material retained on each sieve and record its weight.

• Calculation: Calculate the percentage of soil particles in each size fraction by

dividing the weight of material retained on each sieve by the total weight of the soil
sample and multiplying by 100.

• Plotting the grain size distribution curve: Plot the grain size distribution curve using
the percentage of particles in each size fraction and the corresponding sieve sizes.

• Classification of soil: Classify the soil based on its grain size distribution using the
Unified Soil Classification System (USCS) or the AASHTO soil classification
system.
 Gravel, sand, silt, and clay are four main categories of soil particles based on their grain
size. Gravel has a particle size greater than 2mm, sand has a particle size between
0.075mm and 2mm, silt has a particle size between 0.002mm and 0.075mm, and clay
has a particle size less than 0.002mm.

FIG 4: - Grain Size Analysis – Gravel, Sand, Silt, Clay. Test

RESULT - The percentage of gravel content in granite polish waste is 0%

The percentage of sand content in granite polish waste is 1%

The percentage of silt content in granite polish waste is 90%

The percentage of clay content in granite polish waste is 6%

Specific Gravity of Granite Polish Waste

The specific gravity of a soil is the ratio of the density of the soil solids to the density
of water. The procedure for determining the specific gravity of soil solids is as follows:

• Sample preparation: Take a representative soil sample and oven-dry it at a

temperature of 110°C to a constant weight. This ensures that all the moisture in the
soil sample is removed.

• Weighing: Weigh about 50g of the oven-dried soil sample and record its weight.

• Pycnometer preparation: Fill the pycnometer with distilled water to a mark on the
neck of the pycnometer. Weigh the pycnometer filled with water and record its
weight.

• Soil addition: Add the 50g of the oven-dried soil sample to the pycnometer
containing the distilled water. Ensure that the soil sample is fully submerged in the
water.

• Filling the pycnometer: Add more distilled water to the pycnometer until the water
level reaches the mark on the neck of the pycnometer. Ensure that no air bubbles
are trapped in the pycnometer.

• Weighing the pycnometer: Weigh the pycnometer filled with the soil sample and
distilled water and record its weight.

• Calculation: Calculate the specific gravity of the soil solids using the following
formula:

Specific gravity = (Weight of soil solids) / (Weight of soil solids + Weight of water +
Weight of pycnometer)
• Repeat: Repeat the above procedure with another soil sample to ensure the accuracy
of the result.

FIG 5: - Specific Gravity of Granite Polish Waste Test

Result - The specific gravity of granite polish waste is 2.3

Maximum Dry Density Granite Polish Waste

The maximum dry density (MDD) of a soil or waste material is the maximum weight
of dry soil or waste per unit volume that can be achieved under specific compaction
conditions. The procedure for determining the MDD of granite polish waste is as
follows:

• Sample collection: Collect a representative sample of the granite polish waste

material from the site where the MDD test is to be conducted.

• Sample preparation: Break down any large clumps of the granite polish waste and
dry the sample in an oven at a temperature of 110°C until a constant weight is
achieved.

• Preparation of moulds: Clean and dry the cylindrical moulds used for the
compaction test.

• Standard Proctor compaction: Carry out the Standard Proctor compaction test,
which involves compacting the dry granite polish waste in three equal layers with
25 blows of a 2.5 kg rammer dropped from a height of 300mm for each layer. The
weight of the compacted soil or waste is measured after each layer is compacted.
The compaction is continued until the desired dry density is achieved.

• Determination of dry density: Calculate the dry density of the compacted granite
polish waste by dividing the weight of the dry waste by the volume of the mould.

• Calculation: Calculate the MDD of the granite polish waste by selecting the
maximum dry density achieved during the compaction process.
 FIG 6: - Maximum Dry Density Granite Polish Waste Test

Result - The maximum dry density of granite polish waste is 1.45 g/cc
Permeability test – Falling Head Permeability Test

The permeability of a soil is the measure of the ease with which water can pass through
the soil. The falling head permeability test is used to determine the permeability of a
soil sample under constant head conditions. The procedure for conducting the test is as
follows:

• Sample preparation: Collect a representative soil sample from the site where the
permeability test is to be conducted. The sample should be free from any organic
materials or large particles. It is recommended to prepare the sample by air-drying
or oven-drying to remove any moisture.

• Preparation of equipment: The apparatus used for the test includes a permeameter,
a standpipe, a graduated cylinder, a stop watch, and a water supply. The
permeameter is filled with water and allowed to saturate overnight.

• Sample placement: Place the soil sample into the permeameter and compact it
uniformly to a height of about 10 cm. Ensure there are no air pockets in the soil
sample.

• Setup: Fill the standpipe with water and attach it to the top of the permeameter. The
water level in the standpipe should be higher than the top of the soil sample.

• Head measurement: Measure the initial water level in the graduated cylinder and
record it as H1. Open the valve at the bottom of the permeameter to allow water to
flow out. Start the stopwatch and measure the time it takes for the water level in the
standpipe to fall to a predetermined distance (e.g., 5 cm) above the top of the soil
sample. Record this time as t.

• Head calculation: Calculate the head loss (H2 – H1) over the distance (L) using the
equation H = (H2 – H1) / L.
 • Permeability calculation: Calculate the permeability of the soil sample using the
following formula:

k = (2.303L/t) * (d^2/4) / (H)

where k is the coefficient of permeability, L is the length of the soil sample, t is the time
for the water level to fall, d is the diameter of the permeameter, and H is the head loss.

• Repeat: Repeat the above procedure with another soil sample to ensure the accuracy
of the result.

FIG 7:- Permeability test – Falling Head Permeability Test

Result- The initial permeability of granite polish waste is 2.15×10-8m/sec.

10.4. ADDITION OF SODIUM BENTONITE TO GRANITE POLISH WASTE

The Granite Polish Waste is mixed with different percentages of sodium bentonite and
their change in permeability is observed by the falling head permeability test and
checked if the permeability is reduced to the required range of the competent material
of Landfill liners and covers.

Result – The coefficient of permeability of granite polish waste with 1% of sodium

bentonite is 2×10-8 m/sec

The coefficient of permeability of granite polish waste with 2% of sodium bentonite is

1.95×10-9 m/sec

The coefficient of permeability of granite polish waste with 3% of sodium bentonite is

1.02×10-9 m/sec

The coefficient of permeability of granite polish waste with 4% of sodium bentonite is

4.98×10-10 m/sec
11. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Table 1 – Geotechnical Properties of Granite Polish Waste

SNO. PROPERTIES GRANITE POLISH

WASTE

1. Natural Moisture 0.4%

Content.

Atterberg Limits

Liquid Limit (%) Non-Plastic

2. Plastic Limit (%) Non-Plastic

Shrinkage Limit (%) 32.08%

Plasticity Index (%) Non-Plastic

Grain size Analysis

Gravel (%) 0%

3. Sand (%) 1%

Silt (%) 90%

Clay (%) 6%

4. Specific Gravity 2.3

(a) OMC (%) 25%

5.
(b) MDD (g/cc) 1.45 g/cc

6. Permeability (m/sec) 2.15×10-8 m/sec

Table 2 – Granite Polish and effect of Sodium Bentonite

PROPERTY GRANITE GRANITE POLISH WASTE + %SODIUM

POLISH BENTONITE ADDED
WASTE

1% 2% 3% 4%

COEFFICIENT OF -8 -9 -9 -10
-8
PERMEABILITY 2.15×10 2 × 10 1.95 × 10 1.02 × 10 4.98 × 10
m/sec m/sec m/sec m/sec
m/sec

According to the research the coefficient of permeability of a material should not be

greater 1×10-9 m/sec to be used as materials for landfill liners and covers.

The Geotechnical Properties of Granite Polish waste show that it belongs to the group
of silty soil and has the coefficient of permeability 2.15×10-8 m/sec.

The Permeability of the Granite Polish waste decreases at the addition of the sodium
bentonite and keeps on decreasing with the increase in the percentage of the sodium
bentonite powder.

The addition of 4% of sodium bentonite powder decreases the permeability of the

Granite Polish waste to the desired limit.

RESULT- The granite Polish waste with the addition of 4% of sodium bentonite could
be used as an alternative material instead of clay soil in the Landfill liners and covers.
 12. CONCLUSION

To Prevent the use of fertile soil and solve the problem of non-availability of the natural
soil at the site and disposal of the industrial waste in some parts of the country the clay
material in the Landfill liners and covers could be replaced with Granite Polish waste
which can attain low permeability and high strength by addition of Sodium bentonite.

Granite Polish waste is a fine grained, silty, non-plastic and light weight material having
low permeability.

It is observed that the permeability of this material decreases with the addition of the
sodium bentonite powder and the increase in the percentage of the sodium bentonite
keeps decreasing the permeability.

The Granite Polish waste with 4% of sodium bentonite added decreases the permeability
to the required range to be used as a material in the landfill liners and covers i.e. (<
1×10-9 m/sec).

13. REFERENCES

1] Daniel David E. (1993). “Geotechnical Practices” for Waste Disposal, St.

Edumundsdury Press Durystedmundds

2] Sivapullaiah and Lakshmikantha H., et al. (2003). “Geotechnical Properties of

Stabilized Indian Red Earth” Jr. of Geotechnical & Geological Engineering.

3] Tiwari R.P. and Srivastava et al. (2000). “Utilization of Industrial Waste (Fly ash)
in Landfill Barrier”, IGC-2000, IIT Bombay, Mumbai
4] Tiwari R.P. and Srivastava et al. (2000). “Utilization of Industrial Waste (Fly ash)
in Landfill Barrier”, IGC-2000, IIT Bombay, Mumbai:

5] Adeolu, A. O., Ada, O. V, Gbenga, A. A., & Adebayo, O. A. (2011). Assessment of

groundwater contamination by leachate near a municipal solid waste landfill. African
Journal of Environmental Science and Technology.

6] Chalermyanont, T., Arrykul, S., & Charoenthaisong, N. (2009). Potential use of

lateritic and marine clay soils as landfill liners to retain heavy metals.

7] Cokca, E., & Yilmaz, Z. (2004). Use of rubber and bentonite added fly ash as a liner
material.

8] Kalkan, E. (2006). Utilization of red mud as a stabilization material for the

preparation of clay liners.

9] Parastar, F., Hejazi, S. M., Sheikhzadeh, M., & Alirezazadeh, A. (2017). A parametric
study on hydraulicconductivity and self-healing properties of geotextile clay liners used
in landfills.

10] Roberts, A. A., & Shimaoka, T. (2008). Analytical study on the suitability of using
bentonite