Edinburgh Napier University

  The impact of mass loss on a particulate medium is investigated. Through a series of laboratory tests on a partly soluble sand, the quantitative impact of mass loss is measured at different applied loads. It is shown that for the material in question, the volume change caused by mass loss exhibits a systematic and quantifiable response, even over a range of stresses. The purpose of these tests is to understand better the mechanical consequences of mass loss in order that landfill process models may improve their interpretationof biodegradation-related settlement.