Centrifugal model tests on static and seismic stability of landfills with high water level

A new type of synthetic Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) was developed, which exhibited engineering characteristics similar to those of real MSW in China. A series of centrifuge model tests on the stability of geosynthetics-lined landfills under the conditions of rising water levels and earthquake were carried out respectively. In the condition of rising water levels, the landfills tended to fail with a global slide along the liner when the water level reached the critical value. The ratio of critical water level and landfill height was about 0.8. When an extreme earthquake occurred on the landfill, a crack was developed on the crest and eventually penetrated the landfill as the water level raised. The earthquake increased the pore water pressure, and decreased the critical water level by 10-30% compared with the static condition. These results provide a valuable reference for stability control of landfills with high water level.