MODELING OF LEAKAGE THROUGH CRACKED CLAY LINERS ‐I: STATE OF THE ART1

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The existence and importance of macro‐pores to the containment efficiency of cover clay liners at waste landfills is documented. Macro‐pores exist as voids, or cracks, and act to increase the volume and rate of leakage through cover liners. Existing numerical models used to simulate flow through clay liners are shown to neglect the macro‐pore aspect of the problem. Current theories of macro‐pore flow developed from related areas of research are presented, and applications to the landfill liner problem are considered.