ABSTRACT
Due to their silty texture and high organic content, sulfide soils are typically unsuitable for use as a foundation for construction projects. In most cases, excavation and replacement with other construction materials are needed to ensure the structural integrity of building or infrastructure. Landfills are commonly used for the disposal of excavated sulfide soil. Because of the chemical properties of these soils and the risk of acidification, these landfills need to be kept saturated to limit oxygen diffusion. However, the long-term behaviour of these landfills is not yet fully understood, highlighting the need for further research to investigate the fluctuation of the degree of saturation in the soil, under different conditions. This study examined the effect of seasons on the degree of saturation in sulfide soil landfills and its effect on oxygen transport. The objective of the current study was to validate a numerical model of a sulfide soil embankment, done using SEEP/W software, with data from the monitoring of a sulfide soil landfill, in Northern Sweden. A one-dimensional numerical model of the landfill was created using laboratory measurements of hydraulic conductivity and water retention capacity. This model was then validated by comparing it with data from installed sensors. The numerical model accurately predicted the degree of saturation changes over time in the landfilled soil. These findings allow engineers to optimize design and predict long-term performance under different environmental conditions. The study highlights the importance of numerical modelling in predicting long-term hydrological behaviour and offers valuable insights into sulfide soil landfill behaviour.
