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Project title

Technical and Economic Feasibility of utilising Construction and Demolition Waste and Dredge Material as Landfill Liner

Primary Funding Agency

Environmental Protection Agency

Co-Funding Organisation(s)

n/a

Lead Organisation

Cork Institute of Technology (CIT)

Lead Applicant

J.P. Murphy

Project Abstract

Construction and demolition (C&D) waste and dredge material are significant bulk waste streams in the Republic of Ireland. This thesis examines the feasibility of combining these waste streams to produce a viable novel geotechnical clay liner for landfill. This thesis includes a literature review and a detailed study of C&D waste dredge material and landfill liners in Ireland. The research for this thesis includes a geotechnical laboratory test programme. Samples of C&D waste and dredge material were collected and tested to establish relevant characteristics. In addition a series of tests were commissioned on test samples to establish their chemical and organic properties. A methodology was developed to model a composite sample on a typical natural liner material. The composite material was tested to evaluate the possibility of producing a material suitable for use as a geotechnical clay liner. Landfill was the only option available for the two million tonnes of Municipal Waste disposed of in Ireland in 2006. A demonstration C&D waste recycling project showed that there was an excess of fine material indicating that up to 8 million tonnes of fine material is generated annually. The Republic of Ireland currently generates on average approximately 1.2 million wet tonnes of silt and clay in dredge material annually. This material has primarily been disposed offshore.

Grant Approved

�29,000.00

Research Hub

Green and Circular Economy

Research Theme

Waste and Resources Management

Start Date

01/10/2005

Initial Projected Completion Date

n/a