Berm and method of construction thereof

Abstract

A berm comprises a reinforced portion, backfill material, a drainage system, and a drainage layer. The reinforced portion has opposing inner and outer surfaces and comprises structural fill material and a plurality of reinforcing members disposed therein. The backfill material has an inner surface adjacent the inner surface of the reinforced portion. The backfill material is at least partially encapsulated by an impermeable membrane. The backfill material comprises contaminated fill material. The drainage system is within the impermeable membrane. The drainage layer is adjacent an inner surface of the impermeable membrane and contacting the drainage system.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . A berm comprising:
 a reinforced portion having opposing inner and outer surfaces and comprising structural fill material and a plurality of reinforcing members disposed therein;   backfill material having an inner surface adjacent the inner surface of the reinforced portion, the backfill material being at least partially encapsulated by an impermeable membrane, the backfill material comprising contaminated fill material;   a drainage system within the impermeable membrane; and   a drainage layer adjacent an inner surface of the impermeable membrane and contacting the drainage system;   wherein the contaminated fill material comprises one or more of fossil fuel combustion product, fly ash, bottom ash, boiler slag, flue gas desulphurization material, nonhazardous contaminated soil, contaminated crushed glass, contaminated crushed concrete, contaminated crushed asphalt, sand blast grit, foundry sand, properly de-watered dredge spoils, or combinations thereof; and wherein the contaminated fill material is contaminated with one or more of a metal, an acid, a base, a volatile organic compound, a semi-volatile organic compound, a petroleum product, selenium, mercury, lead, boron, cadmium, thallium, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons compound, or combinations thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The berm of  claim 1 , wherein the impermeable membrane comprises a geomembrane. 
     
     
         3 . The berm of  claim 2 , wherein the geomembrane comprises one of low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurea or polypropylene (PP). 
     
     
         4 . The berm of  claim 1 , wherein the impermeable membrane comprises a plurality of impermeable membrane sections joined with impermeable seams. 
     
     
         5 . The berm of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of impermeable membrane sections are joined using extrusion welding or fusion welding. 
     
     
         6 . The berm of  claim 1 , wherein the backfill material is fully encapsulated. 
     
     
         7 . The berm of  claim 1 , wherein the drainage system comprises a perforated pipe surrounded by a granular fill material. 
     
     
         8 . The berm of  claim 1 , wherein the drainage layer comprises a geocomposite. 
     
     
         9 . The berm of  claim 1 , wherein the backfill material further comprises opposing top and bottom surfaces, and upper and lower sloped outer surfaces; and
 wherein the lower sloped outer surface slopes outward and upward from the bottom surface to the upper sloped outer surface, wherein the upper sloped outer surface slopes outward and downward from the top surface to the lower sloped outer surface.   
     
     
         10 . The berm of  claim 1 , wherein the backfill material further comprises opposing top and bottom surfaces, and a sloped outer surface; and
 wherein the sloped outer surface slopes outward and downward from the top surface to the bottom surface.   
     
     
         11 . The berm of  claim 1 , wherein the inner surface of the reinforced portion and the adjacent inner surface of the backfill material are substantially planar.