Abstract

The work presented in this thesis is about utilizing municipal solid waste (MSW) rejects in producing wave dispersion and shoreline erosion protection structures to counter the negative impacts of sea level rise. The tests selected to evaluate the produced samples included physical property tests, accelerated weather tests and environmental tests. The physical property tests included: specific gravity and density, absorption, compression and abrasion, while the accelerated weather tests included wet-dry test and soundness test. In addition to these tests, leachate was analyzed after the samples were immersed in sea water and fresh water for 28 days. The exhaust gases from the mixing furnace – used to produce samples - were also analyzed to ensure compliance with air emission standards. The produced samples consisted mainly of low density polyethylene rejects (garbage bags), thus the results were compared to low and high density polyethylene as well as concrete bricks and tiles. The produced samples exhibited good floating characteristics at zero percent sand content. The overall characteristics of 40&50% sand content samples were comparable to concrete and superior to polyethylene. The produced material showed excellent reaction to accelerated weather tests. The total percent loss due to abrasion was minimal. Leachate from seawater showed high TDS due to evaporation of water resulting in increased concentration of salt. However, the overall analysis showed no health hazards. The exhaust gas emission parameters were within the air emission standards set by the Egyptian Environmental Law 4/1994. The MSW rejects could thus be utilized as floating breakwaters using 0% sand content, solid submerged structural breakwaters using 40% sand content, and 50% sand content for beach/canal revetments. Future recommended applications for further investigation could include usage as interlocking ground reinforcement tiles, reef ball and artificial reef.

School

School of Sciences and Engineering

Department

Environmental Engineering Program

Degree Name

MS in Environmental Engineering

Date of Award

6-1-2006

Online Submission Date

2-12-2013

First Advisor

El Haggar, Salah

Committee Member 1

El Haggar, Salah

Committee Member 2

Saad, Samia

Document Type

Thesis

Extent

120 p.

Rights

The author retains all rights with regard to copyright. The author certifies that written permission from the owner(s) of third-party copyrighted matter included in the thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study has been obtained. The author further certifies that IRB approval has been obtained for this thesis, or that IRB approval is not necessary for this thesis. Insofar as this thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study is an educational record as defined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 USC 1232g), the author has granted consent to disclosure of it to anyone who requests a copy. The author has granted the American University in Cairo or its agents a non-exclusive license to archive this thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study, and to make it accessible, in whole or in part, in all forms of media, now or hereafter known.

IRB

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