Using UCS as a surrogate performance standard at the NCSU NPL site

Treated hazardous material at the North Carolina State University (NCSU) Lot 86 National Priorities List (NPL) Site was evaluated using unconfined compressive strength (UCS) as a surrogate performance standard for the toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP). During a preconstruction treatability study, UCS test results were related to the TCLP performance standards as stipulated in the record of decision. During construction, 113 UCS samples were obtained and test results indicated that over 8,410 m3 (11,000 yd3) of pre-RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act) chemical waste generated from the University's educational and research laboratories had been successfully stabilized. Using a crane-mounted mixing unit for a portion of the stabilization operations, and a trackhoe unit for the remainder of the construction, 2.03 Gg (2,240 t) of cement and 2.81 ML (743,000 gal.) of water were mixed with impacted soil and waste material resulting in a 3 m (10ft) thick encapsulated monolith half the size of a football field. © 2006 ASCE.

Duke Scholars

Author David E. Schaad Civil and Environmental Engineering