Centrifuge model test and limit equilibrium analysis of the stability of municipal solid waste slopes

We have investigated the stability of a municipal solid waste (MSW) slope by the centrifuge model test and limit equilibrium analysis. The mechanical behavior of artificial MSW was studied using consolidated drained triaxial tests, and the shear strength was obtained and described by a power form failure criterion. The deformation pattern and failure mode were obtained from the movement of the monitoring point of the slope during the acceleration process in the centrifuge model test. The safety factor of the slope was calculated by the limit equilibrium method with a power form nonlinear strength criterion. Comparison of the results of the centrifuge model test and the calculated results using the Mohr–Coulomb criterion proved that the nonlinear strength criterion was a reasonable method to determine the location of the slip surface and safety factor. The Bulbul landfill failure was used as a case study to verify the applicability of the proposed method in the real-world case, and reasonable results were obtained.