Geotechnical Engineering Online Library

The method of increasing the capacity and avoiding excavation of waste materials as part of the final closure of uncontrolled landfills with the use of a reinforced earth embankment of adequate height is described. The case of the Syros uncontrolled landfill (Cyclades islands, Greece) is presented, where the method was applied. The design principles are detailed along with the method of analysis, the analysis results, the construction specifications and finally the construction method that was used.

During the winter of 2001-2002, a landslide of 80.000 m3 was activated and moved downslope at the Northeast outskirts of the Pissouri village in Cyprus (Limassol prefecture), displacing a section of a country road that was crossing the upper part of the sliding mass and destroying three newly built residences. This paper presents the geologic and hydrogeologic regime of the landslide and its implication on the landslide’s mobilization. Geotechnical site investigation and post failure monitoring, in conjunction with slope stability back analysis formed the basis for the study of the slide and subsequently guided the remediation strategy. Various possible interventions to stabilize the slope and allow the safe reconstruction of the displaced road have been investigated and compared considering both economic and environmental criteria. The performance of the remediation measures has been studied in terms of stability safety, using numerical models previously calibrated via back analyses. Observations made during the execution of the stabilization works provided additional data verifying and supplementing the original design.