Corrective measures to stabilize subsidence in low-level waste trenches

Shallow-land burial of low-level radioactive wastes is frequently followed by subsidence: the slumping, cave-in, or depression of the trench's surface. This paper describes and evaluates the measures proposed for correcting subsidence, including roller compaction, grouting, explosives, surcharging, falling mass, pile driving, in-situ incineration, and accelerated decomposition. Corrective measures for subsidence are evaluated in terms of effectiveness, applicability, and cost. The evaluation indicates that one method, falling mass, is considered to be effective, widely applicable and relatively low in further development and field testing. Many uncertainties associated with the cost and effectiveness of corrective measures can best be resolved by experimental field demonstration