A Study on Correlation between Volume Conversion Factor and Apparent Density of Wastes Buried in Landfill

Abstract

It is now common to find the wastes buried in the past during the excavation process of soil for large scale housing and land development. Without proper treatment of the wastes environmentally, the excavation process is no longer able to proceed, and an action plan should be provided to treat the wastes with environmental and economic viability. In the study, the relationship between the apparent density of the wastes and the volume conversion factor, which is the basis in the estimation of waste treatment cost was investigated. From 10 sampling points of a landfill site, wastes were sampled, analyzed for physical characteristics, and the apparent density of mixed and sorted waste was assessed. Applying the empirical formula, and the formula we suggested here, the volume conversion factors were compared with that measured directly in the field using dump truck and excavator. Obviously there was a close relationship among the volume conversion factors resulting from the empirical formula, the formula we suggested and that measured in the field.