Analysis of Seismic Refraction and Surface Wave Data for the Evaluation of Layers and Saturation of Solid Waste from a Landfill in Brasília, Brazil

Abstract

The present work discusses the characterization of landfilled solid waste and saturated zones considering the response of P and S-wave velocities (Vp and Vs), Poisson ratio (υ), Young’s modulus (E) and shear modulus (G₀), obtained from velocity models in an area located in the former Jockey Clube Controlled Landfill. The obtained Vp values ranged from 231 to 1,160 m/s, while Vs values range from 124 to 449 m/s. The calculated υ ranged from 0.11 to 0.4, while G₀ and E ranged from 15 to 319 kPa and from 42 to 901 kPa, respectively. The values of G₀ and E indicate that the landfilled material is poorly competent. The combined interpretation of Vp, Vs and elastic parameters allowed the definition of three main layers in the surveyed area and their respective distance from soil surface, defined as: 1) Civil construction residual material, of around 10 meters thick; 2) A solid waste layer, of around 18 meters thick, marked as a lower Vs and higher υ interval, possibly associated with saturated material; and 3) the estimated natural landfill terrain, below the depth of 28 meters, composed by the oxisol.