Construction on Former Landfills

Increasing demand for developable space in urban areas has created increased interest in construction on top of old landfills. Landfill redevelopment projects can include hard uses such as commercial, industrial, or infrastructure facilities and soft uses such as athletic fields, golf courses, and amphitheatres. Engineering challenges associated with landfill redevelopment include foundation design and landfill gas migration control. The large total and differential settlement often associated with landfills is an integral part of these challenges. Due to the large settlement potential, landfill redevelopment using shallow foundations is generally restricted to low-rise structures of one or two stories with raft foundations. Construction of taller structures using pile foundations is generally restricted to landfills without an engineered bottom liner system. Both deep and shallow foundations systems must be provided with protective measures against landfill gas migration. Despite the significant challenges associated with post-closure development on top of landfills, both hard and soft uses of old landfills are becoming increasingly common.