Environmental Geotechnics in Practice: Introduction and case studies

Environmental Geotechnics in Practice is an informative and practical guide to the study of land-based waste disposal. The book identifies the key elements of a variety of waste disposal systems, and explains their role in protecting the environment. Using the most significant case histories from across the world where key lessons have been learned the book provides an engaging introduction to this important field.

The cases described all concern land-based waste disposal sites where there is significant interaction between ground engineering and the environment. Together they demonstrate that whatever the type of waste being disposed of it is possible to use geotechnical principles and practices to design a suitable facility. The author explains how the lessons from these historical cases can help current designers and constructers of waste disposal facilities to address the problems posed by climate change and land shortage. The book provides a broad coverage of environmental geotechnics relating to the performance of landfill sites, treatment of contaminated and damaged land, and stability of waste dumps (tips, tailings and lagoons).

Environmental Geotechnics in Practice will encourage readers to critically appraise the applicability of any design concept and data for the whole lifetime of a waste disposal project. The book will be of interest to a wide readership including professionals working in geotechnical engineering, environmental scientists, geology, and waste management, and also students of these subject areas.

Case histories in the book include:

Landfilling: Drigg (UK); Army Creek (USA); Loscoe (UK); Kettleman Hills (USA); Gin Hall (UK); North Shields (UK); Closed sites: Australia, Spain, UK, USA; Composites: Canada, USA; Puente Hills (USA)

Contaminated and damaged land: Lekkerkerk (The Netherlands); Bathgate (UK); Love canal (USA); Bishop Auckland (UK); Combe Down (UK); Tennants mine (Northern Ireland); Brzeg airfield (Poland); Pride Park (UK); Greenwich peninsula (UK)

Waste dumps: Jupille (Belgium); El Cobre (Chile); Aberfan (UK); Buffalo Creek (USA); Stava (Italy); Deighton (UK); Channel tunnel (France, UK); Kolontar (Hungary); Mount Polley (Canada)