ASTM D6523-00
(Guide)Standard Guide for Evaluation and Selection of Alternative Daily Covers (ADCs) for Sanitary Landfills
Standard Guide for Evaluation and Selection of Alternative Daily Covers (ADCs) for Sanitary Landfills
SCOPE
1.1 This guide is intended to assist specifiers and end users in assessing the different options available for sanitary landfill daily cover materials described as alternative (non-soil) daily covers (ADCs). Traditional daily cover consists of at least 6 in. of soil spread over the working faces of sanitary landfills. Alternative systems are attractive to landfill operations in order to conserve landfill disposal space, among other reasons.
1.2 This guide assists in understanding different performance features of broad classifications of ADCs, and determining the extent and degree to which different ADCs are able to "control disease vectors, fires, odors, blowing litter, and scavenging, without presenting a threat to human health and the environment," as intended by United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) regulations.
1.3 This guide is not intended to provide cost information regarding the various ADCs as a standard guide, it does not dictate a protocol for the practice and testing of ADCs, but rather provides valuable information, guidance, and recommendations to interested parties concerning the many options available.
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D 6523 – 00
Standard Guide for
Evaluation and Selection of Alternative Daily Covers (ADCs)
for Sanitary Landfills
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 6523; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope Municipal Solid Waste Landfills” EPA 600/R-93/172 PB
92-227197 July 1993
1.1 This guide is intended to assist specifiers and end users
Alternative Daily Cover Regulations, California Environ-
in assessing the different options available for sanitary landfill
mental Protection Agency, Title 27, Division 2, Subdivi-
daily cover materials described as alternative (non-soil) daily
sion 1, Chapter 3, Subchapter 4, Article 2, Section 20680
covers (ADCs).Traditional daily cover consists of at least 6 in.
CIWMB Daily Cover and Section 20690 CIWMB Alter-
of soil spread over the working faces of sanitary landfills.
native Daily Cover
Alternative systems are attractive to landfill operations in order
to conserve landfill disposal space, among other reasons.
3. Terminology
1.2 This guide assists in understanding different perfor-
3.1 alternative daily cover, n—an alternative to the tradi-
mance features of broad classifications of ADCs, and deter-
tional 6-in. (15-cm) soil cover required by the USEPA for
mining the extent and degree to which differentADCs are able
landfill working faces to “control disease vectors, fires, odors,
to “control disease vectors, fires, odors, blowing litter, and
blowing litter, and scavenging, without presenting a threat to
scavenging, without presenting a threat to human health and
human health and the environment.”
the environment,” as intended by United States Environmental
3.2 foam, n—a synthetic material sprayed and combined
Protection Agency (USEPA) regulations.
with air to form closed-cell air pockets.
1.3 This guide is not intended to provide cost information
3.3 geosynthetic, n—a planar product manufactured from
regarding the various ADCs as a standard guide, it does not
polymeric material used with soil, rock, earth, or other geo-
dictate a protocol for the practice and testing of ADCs, but
technical engineering related material as an integral part of a
rather provides valuable information, guidance, and recom-
man-made project, structure, or system.
mendations to interested parties concerning the many options
3.4 indigenous, adj—native to a particular region.
available.
3.5 leachate, n—contaminated water resulting from the
2. Referenced Documents combination of waste with precipitation.
3.6 nonreusable, adj—in geosynthetics, a fabric or film
2.1 ASTM Standards:
intended to be placed once and then disposed of, discarded, or
D 4982 Test Methods for Flammability Potential Screening
2 left in place.
Analysis of Waste
3.7 reusable, adj—in geosynthetics, a fabric or membrane
E 96 Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Mate-
3 material intended to be retrieved and installed more than once
rials
to perform the cover function.
2.2 Other Standards
3.8 sanitary landfill, n—a regulated disposal site for the
Solid Waste Disposal Facility Criteria, USEPA, Technical
deposition of commercial and household wastes.
Manual EPA 530-R-93-017, Cover Material Require-
3.9 working face, n—the area of a landfill in which waste is
ments, 40 CFR 258 21, Nov 1993
actively being deposited.
“The Use of Alternative Materials for Daily Cover at
4. Significance and Use
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D-35 on Geosynthet- 4.1 This guide provides information which the regulator/
ics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.03 on Permeability and
permit officials, engineers, waste disposal operators, and others
Filtration.
will find helpful to (1) understand and distinguish between the
Current edition approved Feb. 10, 2000. Published April 2000.
many choices available; (2) understand the performance fea-
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.04.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.06. ture considerations for living up to EPAregulations for landfill
Available from the Superintendent of Documents, US Government Printing
Office, Washington, DC 20402.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D 6523
daily covers, and (3) understand the various requirements and left in place without retrieval. Special equipment also exists to
differences for putting these covers into practice at landfills. facilitate the placement and anchoring of these materials to
cover the working face of landfills. The cover may contain
5. Classifications of ADCs
pro-degradant additives to accelerate degradation within the
5.1 Foams—FoamADCs are applied to the working face of waste to cease the interception of fluids.
sanitary landfills using foam generation and application equip-
5.4 Indigenous Materials—Indigenous ADCs consist of
ment specifically designed for that particular foam. Both various types of locally available waste products for disposal
hardening and non-hardening foams are currently available.
(for example, sludges, ash, shredded tires, shredded green
These foam layers are effectively broken-up by the placement waste, pulverized construction and demolition debris, automo-
of additional wastes on the next operating day, and therefore
bile recycling fluff, foundry sand, and so forth) placed onto the
does not interfere with fluid movement. workingfaceoflandfillsinamannersimilartosoilcover.They
5.2 Spray-On Slurries—Most slurries are paper-based. The
often require physical or chemical modification for consistency
paper-based slurry ADCs are applied to the working face of and workability, and evaluation for the presence of potentially
sanitary landfills using standard hydro-seeding equipment.
hazardousconstituents.Processedindigenousmaterialssuchas
Certain types of slurries may require some modification of the
treated sludges and asphalt-stabilized soils are available from
hydro-seedingequipment.Theslurriesareallowedtohardento manufacturers who are able to provide such products with
form a crust or shell over the working face. This covering is
consistent properties. Manufacturers should have the necessary
also broken-up by the placement of additional wastes on the supporting data available for review. Unprocessed ADCs can
next operating day.
vary significantly with respect to physical and chemical char-
5.3 Geosynthetics: acteristics and composition, depending on the particular
5.3.1 Reusable—Reusable geosynthetic ADCs consist of
source. In addition, suitability and acceptability are dependent
various types of fabric or plastic membranes that have either on site-specific climatic and operational conditions and regu-
been developed or adapted for use as a daily cover material.
latory requirements. Because of the wide variety of processed
Panels fabricated from these materials are placed over the and unprocessed indigenous materials, only key factors and
working face at the end of the day, and retrieved prior to the
considerations related to the use and performance of these
start of the next operating day. Some landfills use special materials can hereby be presented.
mechanized equipment to facilitate the placement and retrieval
6. Features and Considerations
of panels.
5.3.2 Nonreusable—Nonreusable geosynthetic ADCs con- 6.1 Summary—See discussion for clarification.
sist of less durable disposable films or fabrics, intended to be
TABLE Continued
Feature/Consideration Foams Spray-on Slurries Reusable Geosynthetics Nonreusable Geosynthetics Indigenous Materials
Methods of Application Self propelled or towed Truck mounted or trailer Manually, towed with Manually, or spread Most often spread with
equipment with manifold mounted hydro-seeding compactors, or spread w/specialty unwinder at- dozers as with traditionally
distribution, or truck equipment w/spray tower w/specialty wide panel tached to dozer/compactor daily cover. Varied.
mounted with handheld and nozzle. deployment equipment and placing ballast soil to
hose anchor
Post-Application Require-
ments
a) Equipment Clean-up/ High Low Low if placed Low if placed Low
Maintenance w/equipment w/equipment
b) Remove Cover? No No Yes No No
Application in Different Some not recommended Can apply in light rain. Some have no constraints Rain tends to help anchor Generally OK, but sludge
Climates for use during rain. Once cured, can while others can absorb cover and mulch are unsuitably
Others can withstand withstand moderate to water, increasing panel applied in rain due to ex-
a) Rain drizzle/light rainfall or heavy rainfall. weight cessive run-off
light to moderate rainfall.
b) Wind Can apply in 20–40 mph Can generally apply in Depends on ballast Increase ballast material. Most forms OK but yard
winds. Adheres to winds up to 45 mph mechanism. High winds Small panels, disposable waste and auto fluff are
working face. can pick and destroy. nature reduce impact of excessively effected
wind damage
c) Freezing Temp/Snow Can apply under freezing Can apply in freezing Some have no constraints. Shift to different ballast Generally no Constraints.
conditions, but equipment temperatures or snow In others, if moisture has material w/no moisture Sludge and mulch have
must be protected. Some been absorbed, panels content (eg crushed some difficulty in snow
equipment has freeze pro- can freeze, making their glass instead of sand)
tection system. placement and retrieval
more difficult.
D 6523
TABLE Continued
Feature/Consideration Foams Spray-on Slurries Reusable Geosynthetics Nonreusable Geosynthetics Indigenous Materials
d) Hot Weather No constraints No constraints No constraints No constraints Dust generation in many
cases (i.e. unprocessed
materials)
Disease Vector Control? Discourages insects and If proper thickness, dis- Can completely cover Can completely cover wasteMust be applied at suffi-
(Access by insects, birds from landing; courages insects and waste so as not to attract; so as not to attract cient thickness
vermin, pathogen rodents from digging birds from landing; Careful for pathogens in
contact.) rodents from digging human rehandling
Fire Control a) Most no, some yes a)Some no, some yes. a) Yes a) Yes a) Some yes, others no
a) Combustible? Materials should be
tested per ASTM D 4982.
b) Barrier to air/gas Low Medium High High Low to High
movement?
Odor and Air Emission Uniform coverage is key. Uniform coverage of suffi- Trap odors and other Trap odors and other Dependent on thickness of
Control? cient thickness is key. emissions while in place; emissions; can be tested application and compac-
Material can be tested release odors and other by ASTM E 96 tion. Dredged materials
by ASTM E 96 emissions when removed; permeation can themselves be odor-
permeation can be tested by ASTM ous.
E 96 permeation
Dust Control? Yes Yes Yes Yes Many unprocessed
materials generate dust
Blowing Litter Control? Yes Yes Yes Yes Auto fluff among others
unprocessed materials can
generate litter
Water Infiltration Control Certain foams can shed Hardening slurries shed Shed rainwater very effec- Shed rainwater effectively Many processed materials
(sheds rainwater) water during moderate water. tively when in place; for several layers of cover can shed water once com-
rains, once cured. allows infiltration when pacted. Others are too
removed permeable to shed much
water.
Landfill leachate and gas No interference. No interference. No interference; unless No interference with de- Ash-based wastes,
migration interference? left or buried in place. gradable material dredged soils, clayey soils
(containing a and cementitious foundry
prodegradant); will products can all create
interfere if non-degradable intervening layers
film
Life expectancy Varies according to type Some last up to 14 days Some are 20-30 days, Varies from days to Varies. Many processed
of foam. Some last 15-20 while others are 10-12 months depending on materials will last indefi-
Hrs. while others are months additives and conditions nitely.
from 3-7 days.
6.2 Discussion: placement of geosynthetic panels (both reusable and nonreus-
6.2.1 Methods of Application: able) and reduce wear and tear. Tires, sandbags, or ballast soil
6.2.1.1 Manifold-equipped units apply foam as equipment are placed along the edges to anchor the panels.
traverses the working face. Self-propelled units with manifold 6.2.1.4 The preparation of the working face prior to place-
applicator applies foam as the unit backs down the working ment of a geosynthetic panel and the care taken in placement
face. Handheld hose-equipped units apply foam as the crew of the panel can have a significant impact on the effective life
walks next to or across the working face, or both. of a panel. Consequently, operators should ensure that the
6.2.1.2 Most slurries use truck-mounted or trailer-mounted working face is properly compacted to provide a smooth
standard hydro-seeding equipment with little or no modifica- surface, and that protruding objects which could damage
tion. It is applied through the spray tower located on the panels are eliminated. In addition, during placement of panels,
platform of the hydro-seeding equipment using appropriate measures should be taken to prevent unnecessary stress on the
nozzles. The use of a hand-held hose may be suitable for material and minimize snagging while dragging the panel
certain applications. In at least one case, a specially designed across the working face.
storage unit and mobile applicator is required by the manufac- 6.2.1.5 Most indigenous materials may be spread and com-
turer. Care must be taken to avoid skimping on the thickness of pacted in the same manner as traditional sands and gravels.
application. Dozers and front-end loaders are usually used to spread the
6.2.1.3 At some sites, ancillary equipment (for example, material. Compaction can be accomplished with single-drum
tow bar, lifting bar, reel, or rollers) are used to facilitate rollers, dozer tracks, or loader tires, or combination thereof.
D 6523
6.2.2 Post-Application Requirements: required if the material is blown away. Insufficient information
isavailableontheabilityoffoamstosustainhighwindsduring
6.2.2.1 When equipment is used to apply ADCs there is
clean-upandmaintenance.Cleanupoftentakesplacebyhosing their effective life.
with water or compressed air, or both.
6.2.5.2 Many slurry ADCs can be applied in winds up to
6.2.2.2 ManyADCs have no other post-application require-
forty-five miles p
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.