Design considerations for lysimeters used to evaluate alternative earthen final covers

Authors

    Authors

    T. Abichou; X. L. Liu;K. Tawfiq

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    J. Geotech. Geoenviron. Eng.

    Keywords

    WATER-BALANCE; LANDFILL; Engineering, Geological; Geosciences, Multidisciplinary

    Abstract

    Alternative earthen final covers are being considered throughout North America as cost-effective alternatives to prescriptive covers. Regulatory agencies typically require field testing to demonstrate the equivalency of percolation rates from prescriptive and alternative covers. Lysimetry, which consists of collecting percolating water from the base of a test section, provides a direct measurement of the percolation rate, and can be used in equivalency demonstrations. This paper describes a modeling study that investigated how lysimeter geometry and boundary conditions affect lateral diversion and percolation rates measured using lysimeters. Lysimeters with various geometries were simulated with HYDRUS-2D using constant meteorological and vegetation data. Simulations showed that sidewalls, which are 0.35 m high, can minimize the lateral diversion of flow around the sides of the lysimeter. Up-slope and down-slope endwalls of lysimeters need to extend to the surface of the lysimeter, especially when the lysimeter is inclined (4:1 or 3:1 slope). Modeling has shown that lysimeters underestimate percolation by 8 to 14%. Based on these simulations and the writers' experience in the design and construction of lysimeters, a recommended design of lysimeters is suggested.

    Journal Title

    Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering

    Volume

    132

    Issue/Number

    12

    Publication Date

    1-1-2006

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    1519

    Last Page

    1525

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000242488200001

    ISSN

    1090-0241

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