Code of Maine Rules › 06 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION › 096 - DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION - GENERAL › Chapter 401 - LANDFILL SITING, DESIGN, AND OPERATION › Appendix 096-401-A - REQUIREMENTS FOR EARTHWORKS TESTING PROGRAMS

Current through 2024-29, July 17, 2024
1.
Earthworks Testing Document
A.
Introduction.
This document applies to new
				  landfill, landfill expansion and landfill closure projects involving earthworks
				  construction. Earthworks covered by this document include barrier layers,
				  drainage layers, and gas transmission layers. The owner/designer should
				  recognize that this document cannot account for all site and soils conditions
				  and that site-specific factors may require this document to be modified for an
				  individual project. Earthworks have been broken down into basic subject areas,
				  and recommended ASTM test methods and associated testing frequencies have been
				  indicated. In cases where a certain ASTM test method is generally recommended,
				  the particular methodology has been highlighted with the symbol [TICK] . For
				  barrier soil layers, the recommended tests are intended for both clay and till
				  soils. Sampling of some till soils is difficult, therefore, the testing program
				  may need to be modified accordingly. The intent of the testing program must
				  remain intact.
This document is not directly applicable to earthworks
				  projects utilizing test pads. Department staff should be consulted for
				  applicable guidance on test pad construction projects. Table 2 is provided as a
				  summary of the testing program contained in the narrative of this
				  document.
B.
Borrow Source Characterization.
Borrow source
				  characterization is performed on the material while it is still in place at the
				  borrow site. The necessary samples are obtained by digging test pits and/or
				  drilling borings. The samples must have appropriate horizontal and vertical
				  distribution to ensure that representative data will be obtained. The soil
				  samples are tested and analyzed in the laboratory to establish that the borrow
				  source is capable of meeting the project specifications and that an adequate
				  quantity of material exists.
(1)
Barrier soil material
(a) moisture-density relationship frequency 1/2500 cubic
				  yards
[TICK] ASTM D 698-91 (Standard proctor)
ASTM D 1557-91 (Modified proctor)
(b) Atterburg limits frequency 1/2500 cubic yards
[TICK] ASTM D 4318-93
(c) Remolded hydraulic conductivity testing frequency 1/5000
				  cubic yards
[TICK] ASTM D 5084-90 (Flexible wall permeameter)
(d) Grain size analysis frequency 1/2500 cubic yards
ASTM D 422-63 (Hydrometer analysis)
ASTM D 1140-92 (Soil washing method)
ASTM D 421-85 (Dry preparation of soil samples)
ASTM D 2217-85 (Wet preparation of soil samples)
(e) Moisture content frequency 1/500 cubic yards
ASTM D 2216-92 (Oven dry method)
ASTM D 3017-88 (Nuclear method)
ASTM D 4643-93 (Microwave oven method)
(2)
Drainage or gas layer material
(a) Moisture-density relationship* frequency 1/2500 cubic
				  yards
[TICK] ASTM D 698-91 (Standard proctor)
ASTM D 1557-91 (Modified proctor)
(b) Remolded hydraulic conductivity testing frequency 1/5000
				  cubic yards
[TICK] ASTM D 2434-68 (Constant head permeameter)
(c) Grain size analysis frequency 1/2500 cubic yards
ASTM D 422-63 (Hydrometer analysis)
ASTM D 1140-92 (Soil washing method)
ASTM D 421-85 (Dry preparation of soil samples)
ASTM D 2217-85 (Wet preparation of soil samples)
(d) Moisture content* frequency 1/2500 cubic yards
ASTM D 2216-92 (Oven dry method)
ASTM D 3017-88 (Nuclear densometer method)
ASTM D 4643-93 (Microwave oven method)
C.
Borrow Source Construction Testing.
Borrow
				  source construction testing is performed as the material is being excavated and
				  transported to the project site during construction. This testing is performed
				  in order to ensure the consistency of the borrow source material being
				  excavated, and is intended to enhance and confirm testing performed earlier
				  during the borrow source characterization.
(1)
Barrier soil material
(a) Moisture-density relationship frequency 1/2500 cubic
				  yards
[TICK] ASTM D 698-91 (Standard proctor)
ASTM D 1557-91 (Modified proctor)
(b) Grain size analysis frequency 1/2500 cubic yards
ASTM D 422-63 (Hydrometer analysis)
ASTM D 1140-92 (Soil washing method)
ASTM D 421-85 (Dry preparation of soil samples)
ASTM D 2217-85 (Wet preparation of soil samples)
(c) Moisture content frequency 1/500 cubic yards
ASTM D 2216-92 (Oven dry method)
ASTM D 3017-88 (Nuclear method)
ASTM D 4643-93 (Microwave oven method)
(2)
Drainage or gas layer material
(a) Moisture-density relationship* frequency 1/2500 cubic
				  yards
[TICK] ASTM D 698-91 (Standard proctor)
ASTM D 1557-91 (Modified proctor)
(b) Grain size analysis frequency 1/1000 cubic yards
ASTM D 422-63 (Hydrometer analysis)
ASTM D 1140-92 (Soil washing method)
ASTM D 421-85 (Dry preparation of soil samples)
ASTM D 2217-85 (Wet preparation of soil samples)
(c) Moisture Content* frequency 1/500 cubic yards
ASTM D 2216-92 (Oven dry method)
ASTM D 3017-88 (Nuclear method)
ASTM D 4643-93 (Microwave oven method)
D.
In-place construction testing.
This testing is
				  intended to verify that the material that has been placed at the project site
				  meets the applicable construction specifications. These tests demonstrate the
				  success of the actual construction techniques and borrow source material
				  utilized.
(1)
Barrier soil material
(a) Density testing frequency 9/acre/lift (liner and cover)
ASTM D 1556-90 (Sand cone method)
ASTM D 2167-84 (Rubber balloon method)
[TICK] ASTM D 2922-81 (Nuclear method)
(b) Moisture content frequency 9/acre/lift (liner and cover)
[TICK] ASTM D 3017-88 (Nuclear method)
frequency 1 per 9 nuclear method tests
[TICK] ASTM D 2216-92 (Laboratory Determination of Moisture
				  Content)
(c) Undisturbed hydraulic conductivity frequency 5/acre/lift
				  (liner); 3/acre/lift (cover)
[TICK] ASTM D 5084-90 (Flexible wall permeameter)
(d) Thickness frequency 5/acre/lift
No applicable ASTM standard
(e) Lift interface bonding and soil remolding (clod breakup)
				  frequency 5/acre/lift
No applicable ASTM standard
(2)
Drainage or gas layer material
(a) Density testing* frequency 5/acre/lift
ASTM D 1556-90 (Sand cone method)
ASTM D 2167-84 (Rubber balloon method)
[TICK] ASTM D 2922-81 (Nuclear method)
(b) Moisture content* frequency 5/acre/lift
[TICK] ASTM D 3017-88 (Nuclear method)
(c) Remolded hydraulic conductivity frequency 5/acre/lift
[TICK] ASTM D 2434-68 (Constant head permeameter)
(d) Thickness frequency 5/acre/lift
No applicable ASTM standard
*
NOTE
: Leachate collection and cover system
				  drainage systems may not require moisture content and density testing.
				  Typically a high degree of control over compaction is not a desired feature for
				  these systems, therefore testing would not need to include moisture content and
				  density tests. If compaction to a specified density is a required feature for
				  these systems, then moisture content and density testing are required. Leak
				  detection and cover system gas transmission systems generally require
				  controlled compaction in order to provide a firm base to construct barrier soil
				  systems on, therefore moisture content and density testing are required for
				  these systems.
Table 2
Type of Testing
Test
Recommended ASTM Test Method
Frequency of Testing
1. Borrow Source
						  Characterization
A. Barrier Soil
Moisture-Density
D 698-91
1/2500 cubic yards
Atterburg Limits
D 4318-93
1/2500 cubic yards
Remolded Hydraulic Conductivity
D 5084-90
1/5000 cubic yards
Grain Size Analysis
1/2500 cubic yards
Moisture Content
1/500 cubic yards
B. Drainage or Gas Layer
Moisture-Density*
D 698-91
1/2500 cubic yards
Remolded Hydraulic Conductivity
D 2434-68
1/5000 cubic yards
Grain Size
1/2500 cubic yards
Moisture Content*
1/2500 cubic yards
2. Borrow Source Construction
						  Testing
A. Barrier Soil
Moisture-Density
D 698-91
1/2500 cubic yards
Grain Size
1/2500 cubic yards
Moisture Content
1/500 cubic yards
B. Drainage or Gas Layer
Moisture-Density*
D 698-91
1/2500 cubic yards
Grain Size
1/1000 cubic yards
Moisture Content*
1/500 cubic yards
3. In-Place Construction
						  Testing
A. Barrier Soil
Density
D 2922-81
9/acre/lift
Moisture Content
D 3017-88
9/acre/lift
Moisture Content
D 2216-92
1/9 Nuclear Method tests
Undisturbed Hydraulic Conductivity
D 5084-90
5/acre/lift (liner) and 3/acre/lift (cover)
Thickness
5/acre/lift
Lift Interface Bonding and Soil Remolding
5/acre/lift
B. Drainage or Gas Layer
Density*
D 2922-81
5/acre/lift
Moisture Content*
D 3017-88
5/acre/lift
Remolded Hydraulic conductivity
D 2434-68
5/acre/lift
Thickness
5/acre/lift