| Abstract: | Coal-fired power plants produce a global average of nearly 375 million tons of fly ash each year, contributing to hazardous waste and groundwater pollution. Fly ash, a byproduct of coal combustion, contains toxic metals that increase risk of developing diseases. Meanwhile, the waste discarded in a landfill can break down into toxic leachate before entering and contaminating water sources, unless prevented by a non-permeable landfill liner. The overall goal of this project was to study the potential for recycling fly ash in landfill liners to both reduce the amount of fly ash to be discarded and better contain landfill waste. Due to its high absorbance and strength, fly ash often exhibits cementitious properties and can prevent waste from leaking out of landfills. This research will facilitate the optimal design of landfill liners by examining how five mixtures of different ratios of fly ash, bentonite, and lime contribute to the strength and cracking potential of landfill liners. The research uses multiple experiments, including the determination of shrinkage limit and compressive strength tests, to compare data and optimize the fly ash mixture. |