Abstract
Geosynthetic Clay liners (GCLs) are used extensively in waste management facilities as part of hydraulic and gas barriers since the bentonite, active component of GCLs, possesses a low conductivity when well hydrated. GCL hydration occurs in the unsaturated regime following the water retention curve of the GCL and subsoil (wetting and drying path of the WRC of the GCL and subsoil, respectively). Moreover, the GCL hydration is controlled/governed by factors such as applied stress condition, subsoil characteristics, and weather condition (temperature). This paper numerically studied the influence of temperature in the GCL hydration. The models were conducted using Vadose/W and simulations were calibrated with experimental results and further practical scenarios were then predicted. Five temperature conditions that resemble average and extreme weather were used (5°C, 10°C, 20°C, 50°C, 70°C, respectively). Results indicate that temperature influence the GCL hydration rate and the final water content achievable, which affect the final performance of the GCL.
Highlights
Geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) are formed of a thin layer of bentonite (5~10mm) enclosed between two geotextiles by needle punching
The GCL hydration occurs in the “unsaturated regime” of both materials (GCL and subsoil) following their corresponding water retention curve (WRC), which itself is dependent on their inherent pore structure (Acikel et al 2018 [12])
3.2 Prediction of moisture migration into the subsoil Based on the calibration model using experimental data, a set of numerical analysis were conducted to evaluate the effect of temperature on the moisture migration into the subsoil
Summary
Geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) are formed of a thin layer of bentonite (5~10mm) enclosed between two geotextiles by needle punching. GCLs are often installed together with a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembrane (GMB) to form a composite liner to seal the base of landfills, brine ponds, tailing dams, heap leach pads, and many other fluid containment applications (Hornsey et al (2010) [2]; Hamawand et al (2013) [3]; Bouazza & Gates, (2014) [4]). One of the factors that underpins the performance of such systems is the level of hydration that the GCL can initially achieve. The water retention curves of the subsoil and GCL govern the level of hydration. The GCL hydration occurs in the “unsaturated regime” of both materials (GCL and subsoil) following their corresponding water retention curve (WRC), which itself is dependent on their inherent pore structure (Acikel et al 2018 [12])
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