Use of EPS Grains to Simulate the Behavior of MSW in Simple Shear
Simonini, P
Department of Hydraulic, Maritime, Environmental, and Geotechnical Engineering, University of Padova, 35126 Padova, Italy

De Ronch, M
Contarina S. p. a., Environmental Services Management, Via Galvani 14, 31027 Spresiano, Treviso

(Received 17 March 2003; accepted 13 January 2004)

Abstract
The difficulty in laboratory testing of highly heterogeneous municipal solid waste (MSW) may suggest an investigation of the influence of different stress/strain/drainage conditions, and use of an analogical equivalent medium such as assemblies of expanded polystyrene (EPS) grains, which are characterized by a mechanical response very similar to MSW but relatively simpler for testing preparation. Both materials, in fact, evidently show a behavioral analogy, such as a different response when subjected to triaxial compression or pure shear, resulting from the effects of significant porosity and a relevant inherent compressibility of the individual elements.

This research is concerned with an experimental investigation into the behavior of saturated assemblies of EPS grains, tested in the laboratory using a modified simple shear device. In addition to the description of the experimental testing technique, this paper attempts to discuss the main outcome of test results, showing particularly the influence of inherent compressibility of EPS grains on material volumetric response.

Keywords:
analogical medium, compressible grains, EPS Grains, expanded polystyrene, MSW behavior, municipal solid waste, simple shear

Paper ID: GTJ11915
DOI: 10.1520/GTJ11915

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Author Simonini, P Affiliation Department of Hydraulic, Maritime, Environmental, and Geotechnical Engineering, University of Padova, 35126 Padova, Italy Author De Ronch, M Affiliation Contarina S. p. a., Environmental Services Management, Via Galvani 14, 31027 Spresiano, Treviso Author Simonini P, De Ronch M Title Use of EPS Grains to Simulate the Behavior of MSW in Simple Shear Symposium , Committee on