Barrier System Research Articles

Multiscale modeling of smectite illitization in bentonite buffer of engineered barrier system

With the increasing usage of nuclear energy, how to properly dispose nuclear waste becomes a critical issue. In this study, a multiscale modeling approach combining the experimental findings is presented to address the illitization process, its impact on transport properties, and system behavior of bentonite buffer in engineered barrier systems (EBS). Through the pore-scale modeling, reactive transport properties such as illite generation rate and effective diffusion coefficient of potassium ion as a function of porosity and temperature are quantified by employing the findings of hydrothermal reaction experiments of Bentonil-WRK. The capability of pore-scale modeling has been developed based on the Darcy-Brinkmann-Stokes equation, involving the processes of smectite illitization and clay swelling. Obtained reactive transport properties are utilized as input parameters for the macroscale modeling to predict the long-term behavior of bentonite buffer in EBS. As such, this study involves the whole workflow of quantifying the reaction parameters of smectite illitization through the hydrothermal reaction experiments, and numerically modeling the reactive transport process of smectite illitization in bentonite buffer of EBS from pore-scale to macroscale. The presented multiscale modeling findings are expected to provide reliable solution for safe nuclear waste disposal with EBS.

Facilitators and barriers for implementation of health programmes with Māori communities.

Addressing health inequities that Māori (Indigenous peoples) communities face in New Zealand is a key aim of researchers and practitioners. However, there is limited understanding of the implementation processes and outcomes of health programmes for addressing these inequities. The aim of this study was twofold: (a) to identify correlates of implementation outcomes and (b) to identify facilitators and barriers to implementation effectiveness. The study involved a concurrent mixed method approach. Through an online survey, 79 participants with experience in implementing a health programme with a Māori community identified outcomes and processes of the programme. Additionally, nine Māori community providers shared their perceptions and experience of facilitators and barriers to implementation effectiveness through an in-depth interview. The quantitative and qualitative findings were integrated to address the aims of the study. For the first aim, we identified two key outcomes: overall health impacts and sustainability. Three of the variables had significant and positive bivariate correlations with health impacts: cultural alignment, community engagement, and individual skills. The only significant correlate of sustainability was evidence-based. For the second aim, participants described four facilitators (leadership, whanaungatanga [relationships], sharing information, digestible information) and four barriers (system constraints, lack of funding, cultural constraints, lack of engagement) to effective implementation. Overall, leadership, aligning culture, and building on whanaungatanga, while getting financial resources and systems support, are the core elements to supporting implementation efforts in Māori communities.

Boon and burden: economic performance and future perspectives of the Venice flood protection system

Sea-level rise (SLR) and flooding are among the climate change stressors challenging human society in the twenty-first century. Many coastal areas and cities are implementing innovative solutions to mitigate flood risks and enhance resilience. Venice has recently developed a system of storm surge mobile barriers, known as the MoSE (Modulo Sperimentale Elettromeccanico or Experimental Electromechanical Module). This study aims to investigate the economic viability of MoSE operations in light of the potential future evolution of SLR. To conduct a cost-benefit analysis, a system dynamics model is utilised to assess the impact of MoSE operations on economic and residential activities of Venice and its port. Simulations are conducted until the end of the century, considering two SLR scenarios. The results suggest that the economic benefits largely outweigh the combined costs of investment and foregone port revenues resulting from the MoSE closures. Nevertheless, the increasing number of closures due to SLR seriously challenges the viability of the infrastructure in the medium to long term. Even more importantly, very frequent closures will have serious impacts on the quality of the lagoon ecosystem. These findings suggest a revision and stronger integration of the city’s safeguarding strategies, including the increase of the MoSE closure level officially set at 110 cm, and other coordinated interventions, such as sewer system consolidation.

Gas-entry pressure impact on the evaluation of hydrogen migration at different scales of a deep geological disposal of radioactive waste

Although the importance of gas-entry pressure in simulating two-phase liquid–gas flow in porous media has been studied at the column and borehole scales, its impact on the simulation of transient hydraulic-gas at different scales of a deep geological repository of radioactive waste (DGR) in low permeability clay rock during the post-closure phase has not yet been studied. The purpose of this work is to show that neglecting this phenomenon can lead to underestimation of the maximum gas pressure and water–gas fluxes simulated within the host rock and backfilled drift network. This could impact the performance of the engineered barrier system of a DGR. Simulations performed for a high-level waste disposal cell and for a simplified repository composed of hundreds of disposal cells situated in a clay host rock, show that gas preferentially migrates through the DGR components with low capillary entry pressures, such as the excavation damaged zone (Refers to the zone where fractures develop due to failure of the rock mass around galleries after tunneling) (EDZ), the engineered barriers materials (backfill, bentonite-plug…) and interfaces between the EDZ and these materials. Such a result could have significant consequences on the performance of a repository, due to the accumulation of gas in the drift network and high increase of gas pressure, which could lead to the host rock hydraulic fracturing.

Microphysiological Blood-Brain Barrier Systems for Disease Modeling and Drug Development.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a highly controlled microenvironment that regulates the interactions between cerebral blood and brain tissue. Due to its selectivity, many therapeutics targeting various neurological disorders are not able to penetrate into brain tissue. Pre-clinical studies using animals and other in vitro platforms have not shown the ability to fully replicate the human BBB leading to the failure of a majority of therapeutics in clinical trials. However, recent innovations in vitro and ex vivo modeling called organs-on-chips have shown the potential to create more accurate disease models for improved drug development. These microfluidic platforms induce physiological stressors on cultured cells and are able to generate more physiologically accurate BBBs compared to previous in vitro models. In this review, different approaches to create BBBs-on-chips are explored alongside their application in modeling various neurological disorders and potential therapeutic efficacy. Additionally, organs-on-chips use in BBB drug delivery studies is discussed, and advances in linking brain organs-on-chips onto multiorgan platforms to mimic organ crosstalk are reviewed.

The Psychology of Atopic Dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory skin condition characterised by pruritus and recurrent eczematous patches and plaques. It impacts sleep and its visibility can lead to stigmatisation, low self-esteem, social withdrawal, reduced quality of life (QOL), and psychological burden. This study explores the relationship between AD and mental health, including possible causation pathways. A literature review was conducted in PubMed without using limiters. AD carries higher odds of suicidality and an increased risk of depression, anxiety, alexithymia, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) across all severities. While some studies report an association of AD with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and possibly autism spectrum disorder (ASD), others do not. There is increasing evidence that AD contributes to chronic low-grade inflammation and cognitive impairment (CI). Causative factors for mental health complications of AD likely include both psychosocial and biological variables. AD is associated with higher levels of cutaneous and circulating proinflammatory cytokines; these can breach the blood-brain barrier and trigger central nervous system events, including oxidative stress, neurotransmitter breakdown, altered serotonin metabolism, and reduced neurogenesis in several brain regions. Excessive inflammation in AD may thus contribute to CI, depression, and suicidality. AD providers should be vigilant about mental health.

The Multiple Roles of Heat Shock Proteins in the Development of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a chronic inflammatory condition of the human intestine, comprises Crohn's Disease (CD) and Ulcerative Colitis (UC). IBD causes severe gastrointestinal symptoms and increases the risk of developing colorectal carcinoma. Although the etiology of IBD remains ambiguous, complex interactions between genetic predisposition, microbiota, epithelial barrier, and immune factors have been implicated. The disruption of intestinal homeostasis is a cardinal characteristic of IBD. Patients with IBD exhibit intestinal microbiota dysbiosis, impaired epithelial tight junctions, and immune dysregulation; however, the relationship between them is not completely understood. As the largest body surface is exposed to the external environment, the gastrointestinal tract epithelium is continuously subjected to environmental and endogenous stressors that can disrupt cellular homeostasis and survival. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are endogenous factors that play crucial roles in various physiological processes, such as maintaining intestinal homeostasis and influencing IBD progression. Specifically, HSPs share an intricate association with microbes, intestinal epithelium, and the immune system. In this review, we aim to elucidate the impact of HSPs on IBD development by examining their involvement in the interactions between the intestinal microbiota, epithelial barrier, and immune system. The recent clinical and animal models and cellular research delineating the relationship between HSPs and IBD are summarized. Additionally, new perspectives on IBD treatment approaches have been proposed.

Enhanced Identification of Fracture Smectites and Other Alteration Minerals Via Short-Wave Infrared Reflectance at Two Finnish Crystalline Sites, Olkiluoto and Hyrkkölä

Fracture filling minerals and the smectite-group clay minerals in particular play a significant role in the geotechnical stability of the fractured rock mass. Smectites have multiple uses as geomaterials in waste management solutions, of which the most technically demanding is the geological disposal of radioactive waste. Here, the stability and occurrence of smectites as fracture filling minerals were studied with two main objectives: 1) to test the capability of short-wave infrared spectroscopy as a tool to streamline the site assessment where clay mineralogy needs to be characterised in detail, and 2) to provide a first assessment of naturally occurring smectites in various sample types collected from two Finnish sites (Olkiluoto and Hyrkkölä) and their potential as natural analogues of smectite stability for bentonite used in the engineered barrier systems of geological disposal repositories. The short-wave infrared (SWIR) method has been validated to be a useful tool in fracture mineral characterisation, specifically due to its fast acquisition and interpretation time compared to the conventional methods. The study confirms the in situ occurrence of smectites at both sites studied showing that, especially in Hyrkkölä, the smectite-group member is close to montmorillonite, the main constituent of bentonite. At Olkiluoto, the smectites studied show more interstratified features. The differences in the mode of occurrence are related to the history of their formation, especially hydrothermal alteration, and parent rock composition.

Emerging Co-Assembled and Sustained Released Natural Medicinal Nanoparticles for Multitarget Therapy of Choroidal Neovascularization.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) disease has become a worldwide senile disease, and frequent intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) is the mainstream treatment in the clinic, which is associated with sight-threatening complications. Herein, nintedanib, an inhibitor of angiogenesis, and lutein, a potent antioxidant, can co-assemble into nanoparticles through multiple noncovalent interactions. Interestingly, the co-assembled lutein/nintedanib nanoparticles (L/N NPs) exhibit significantly improved stability and achieve long-term sustained release of two drugs for at least two months in mice. Interestingly, in rabbit eyeball with a more complete barrier system, the L/N NPs still successfully distribute in the retina and choroid for a month. In the laser-induced mouse choroidal neovascularization model, the L/N NPs after a minimally invasive subconjunctival administration can successfully inhibit angiogenesis and achieve comparable and even better therapeutic results to that of standard intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF. Therefore, the subconjunctival injection of L/N NPs with long-term sustained drug release behavior represents a promising and innovative strategy for AMD treatment. Such minimally invasive administration together with the ability to effectively inhibit angiogenesis reduce inflammation and counteract oxidative stress and holds great potential for improving patient outcomes and quality of life in those suffering from this debilitating eye condition.

Towards Reliable Barrier Systems: A Constrained XGBoost Model Coupled with Gray Wolf Optimization for Maximum Swelling Pressure of Bentonite

Bentonite and bentonite mixtures are used as buffer material for deep geological radioactive waste repositories. The proper determination of bentonite maximum swelling pressure is important as it influences the long-term stability and sealing characteristics of the barrier system. We developed a constrained machine learning model based on extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) algorithm tuned with grey wolf optimization (GWO) to determine the maximum swelling pressure of bentonite and bentonite mixtures. We integrated a penalty term into the XGBoost algorithm’s loss function to constrain the model during the training phase ensuring meaningful predictions. To this end, we compiled a dataset containing 305 experimental data of bentonite maximum swelling pressure and other relevant soil properties including montmorillonite content, liquid limit, plastic limit, plasticity index, initial water content, and soil dry density to develop the model. The performance of the hybrid GWO-XGBoost model was benchmarked against feed-forward and cascade-forward neural network models. The GWO-XGBoost model showed a better performance in estimating the experimental values comparing to the other models, thereby demonstrating its effectiveness and reliability in determining the maximum swelling pressure of bentonite and bentonite mixtures.

Ecological barriers: An approach to ecological conservation and restoration in China.

The Chinese government has pursued comprehensive ecological conservation and restoration by establishing an ecological barrier system. However, the majority of international research tends to focus on the connectivity between habitats, overlooking the functions that ecological barriers play in ecological conservation and restoration. The existing literature lacks a systematic exploration of the theory and practice of ecological barriers. This study employed the literature analysis tool CiteSpace to present the theoretical and developmental trends in ecological barriers from various perspectives, including research fields, historical evolution, research hotspots, and major research nations. By analyzing the differences in the understanding of ecological barriers between China and other countries, examining the ecological barriers construction history in China, and exploring the types and functions of ecological barriers, this study summarizes the framework of China's ecological barriers construction system as "features-functions-problems." Constructing an ecological barrier system can help achieve ecological conservation and restoration goals in China.

A23 IMPAIRMENT OF INTESTINAL CRYPTAL STEM CELL CYCLE AND PANETH CELL PROLIFERATION BY CHRONIC STRESS

Abstract Background The small intestine’s epithelial barrier is essential for intestinal homeostasis and host defense. It consists of epithelial cells that are constantly renewed by crypt stem cells and their progeny, which have different functions in the gut. Chronic stress can impair the barrier by modulating the gut-brain axis, which involves the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the vagus nerve, and the immune system. Chronic stress can also alter the gut microbiota, which can further influence the barrier and immune system. Aims The present study examines how chronic stress affects the crypt stem cell niche and function in the small intestine. Methods Restraint stress was applied to 6-8 weeks old mice in a plastic container for 1 hour daily for 7 days. The dark/light transition box test was used to evaluate the stress-induced behavior change. The Ussing chamber technique was used to assess the paracellular permeability of the small intestine. RNA was extracted from the mucosa and submucosa layers of the small intestine, after removing the muscle layer, and RNA sequencing analysis was performed. Immunofluorescence analysis was also performed on the small intestinal tissues to detect the expression of various markers. To assess the in vivo effect of cortisol, dexamethasone (a synthetic steroid activating same receptors as cortisol), or metyrapone (an 11β-hydroxylation blocker to inhibit cortisol production), was applied to the mice. Results We found that restraint stress induced anxiety-like behavior, increased small intestinal epithelial permeability, and reduced villus and crypt length in mice. RNA sequencing analysis revealed that restraint stress upregulated steroid-driven pathways and downregulated cell cycle and cell mitosis pathways in the small intestinal mucosa, suggesting increased cortisol production and decreased stem cell activity. Immunofluorescence analysis confirmed that restraint stress reduced the expression of stem cell marker Olfm-4 and proliferation markers Ki-67 and p-H3 in the small intestinal crypts. Dexamethasone, a synthetic glucocorticoid, mimicked the effects of restraint stress on crypt stem cell proliferation, while metyrapone, a steroid synthesis inhibitor, attenuated the effects of restraint stress on crypt stem cell proliferation. Restraint stress and dexamethasone also reduced Paneth cell RNA expression and marker in the small intestine. Conclusions Chronic stress induces anxiety, barrier dysfunction, and epithelial shortening. Chronic stress also alters crypt stem cell and Paneth cell expression. These findings show how chronic stress impacts intestinal epithelial renewal and differentiation, which may affect intestinal health and disease. Funding Agencies JSPS

Plutonium mobility and reactivity in a heterogeneous clay rock barrier accented by synchrotron-based microscopic chemical imaging

The long-term safe disposal of radioactive waste corresponds to a challenging responsibility of present societies. Within deep geological waste disposal concepts, host rocks correspond to the ultimate safety barrier towards the environment. To assess the performance of such barriers over extended time scales, mechanistic information on the interaction between the radiotoxic, long-lived radionuclides like plutonium and the host rock is essential. Chemical imaging based on synchrotron microspectroscopic techniques was used to visualize undisturbed reactive transport patterns of Pu within pristine Opalinus Clay rock material. Pu+V is shown to be progressively reduced along its diffusion path to Pu+IV and Pu+III due to interaction with redox-active clay rock constituents. Experimental results and modeling emphasize the dominant role of electron-transfer reactions determining the mobility of Pu in reactive barrier systems. The effective migration velocity of Pu is controlled by the kinetic rates of the reduction to Pu+IV and Pu+III and the redox capacity of the involved electron donor pools. To advance our predictive capabilities further, an improved understanding of the nature and capacity of redox-active components of the reactive barrier material is fundamental. The findings represent an essential contribution to the evaluation of the long-term safety of potential nuclear waste repositories and have implications regarding the development of effective geological disposal strategies.

Exploration of underlap induced high-k spacer with gate stack on strain channel cylindrical nanowire FET for enriched performance

This research explores a comprehensive examination of gate underlap incorporated strained channel Cylindrical Gate All Around Nanowire FET having enriched performances above the requirement of the 2 nm technology node of IRDS 2025. The device installs a combination of strain engineering based quantum well barrier system in the channel region with high-k spacers sandwiching the device underlaps and stack high-k gate-oxide. The underlaps are prone to parasitic resistance and various short channel effects (SCEs) hence, are sandwiched by HfO2 based high-k. This SCE degradations and a strong electric field in the drain-channel region is rendered controlling the leakages. The strain based Nanosystem engineering is incorporated with Type-II heterostructure band alignment inducing quantum well barrier mechanism in the ultra-thin cylindrical channel region creating an electrostatic charge centroid leading to energy band bending and splitting among the two-fold and four-fold valleys of the strained Silicon layer. This provides stupendous electron mobility instigating high current density and electron velocity in the channel. Thereby, the device is susceptible to on-current enhancement via ballistic transport of carriers and carrier confinement via succumbing of quantum charge carriers. The device transconductance, Ion, Ioff, Ion/Ioff ratio are measured and the output performance (ID-VDS) characteristics is determined providing emphatic enrichments in contrast to the existing gate all-around FETs as well as the 2 nm technology node data of IRDS 2025. Hence, the strained channel Nanowire FET device developed here is presented here as the device of the future for various digital applications, RF applications and faster switching speed.

Spontaneous Coal Combustion, Direct and Indirect Impact on Mining in China: A Prospective Review and Proposal of a Five-Level Comprehensive Mine Safety Management Structure (5L-CMSMS) Coupled with Hazard Zoning and Barrier Systems

ABSTRACT To prevent, predict, control, and reduce the catastrophe caused by spontaneous coal combustion (SCC), and the subsequent direct and indirect adverse impact on the environment and health, this review proposed a five-level comprehensive mine safety management structure (5 L-CMSMS) to augment the already existing technological interventions. The 5 L-CMSMS features a 3-Phase Model and a continuous review of safety measure/accident prevention program handled at the national level and which can be replicated by all the five levels (i.e. national, provincial, city, district, and the mine). Additionally, hazard zoning and barrier systems to augment the 5 L-CMSMS and the other advanced technology currently being employed to prevent most mine disasters are also proposed. With all incidents and accidents happening principally in the mines, the implementation of a constructive monitoring and supervision team at the facility level by using safety committees, safety officers, and unit heads can reduce the incidents and accidents drastically. With regular and proper safety training, assessment and evaluation, and awareness creation the coal mine safety risk management which is a systematic project and an interconnected organic whole, involving multiple subjects such as enterprise management, enterprise employees, government regulators, and the external environment can be salvaged.

Interactions between CNS and immune cells in tuberculous meningitis.

The central nervous system (CNS) harbors its own special immune system composed of microglia in the parenchyma, CNS-associated macrophages (CAMs), dendritic cells, monocytes, and the barrier systems within the brain. Recently, advances in the immune cells in the CNS provided new insights to understand the development of tuberculous meningitis (TBM), which is the predominant form of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) infection in the CNS and accompanied with high mortality and disability. The development of the CNS requires the protection of immune cells, including macrophages and microglia, during embryogenesis to ensure the accurate development of the CNS and immune response following pathogenic invasion. In this review, we summarize the current understanding on the CNS immune cells during the initiation and development of the TBM. We also explore the interactions of immune cells with the CNS in TBM. In the future, the combination of modern techniques should be applied to explore the role of immune cells of CNS in TBM.

Design of Automated Bascule Bridge and Collision Avoidance with Water Traffic

Abstract The development of movable bridges is a modern technological advancement that requires the integration of multi-disciplinary concepts such as control, automation, and design. In order to demonstrate how a collision avoidance system works, this research offers the design of an automated double-leaf bascule bridge with a pulley-rope moving mechanism and Pratt truss. The bridge is created where a settled railway or roadway intersection of a navigable stream cannot attain a steep profile. The design took into account the length, height, and width of the bridge as well as automatic ship identification and scaffold leaf movement activity for ship crossing. For the safe passage of cars on the bridge and for stopping vehicles during bridge movement, the system includes a collision avoidance control system and an automated road barrier system. After sensor adjustment, the model bridge’s performance under test produced results that were adequate, with a success rate of 100%.

The role of bentonite in the repository concepts for radioactive waste in Germany: a review

Irrespective of the host rock and the repository concept, bentonite plays a central role in the geological disposal of radioactive waste by serving as the main sealing element in most repository concepts. Due to its favourable chemical, hydraulic and mechanical properties, bentonite is of paramount importance in the overall safety of a repository for radioactive waste. This work gives an overview of the use of bentonite in the German repository concepts in different host rocks. Starting with the current repository safety regulations in force in Germany, the principles for the design of the engineered barrier system are described. Among them, the principle of diverse redundancy has been established as the main design principle to fulfil the requirements of the Repository Safety Ordinance. This principle allows the arrangement of different geomaterials in the design of the geotechnical barriers where bentonite plays a key role. Bentonite is used in the German repository concepts in different host rocks as either buffer, backfill and/or sealing material. In clay and in crystalline rock, highly compacted bentonite blocks are considered for the sealing of disposal boreholes and for the construction of drift seals. Processed excavated material is mixed with bentonite to backfill the remaining voids inside the repository. For the closure of shafts, bentonite as binary mixture of briquettes and powder or as equipotential sand-bentonite-segments are considered. The present work also brings to light how bentonite is used in German repository concepts. We also discuss the differences between German and international geological disposal programmes in regards to the applications of bentonite. The innovative aspect of the German approach is demonstrated through the adoption of a dual bentonite/asphalt sealing system and the implementation of equipotential segments comprising layers of sand and bentonite. Thematic collection: This article is part of the Sustainable geological disposal and containment of radioactive waste collection available at: https://www.lyellcollection.org/topic/collections/radioactive

Machine Learning Models for Predicting Zirconocene Properties and Barriers.

Zr metallocenes have significant potential to be highly tunable polyethylene catalysts through modification of the aromatic ligand framework. Here we report the development of multiple machine learning models using a large library (>700 systems) of DFT-calculated zirconocene properties and barriers for ethylene polymerization. We show that very accurate machine learning models are possible for HOMO-LUMO gaps of precatalysts but the performance significantly depends on the machine learning algorithm and type of featurization, such as fingerprints, Coulomb matrices, smooth overlap of atomic positions, or persistence images. Surprisingly, the description of the bonding hapticity, the number of direct connections between Zr and the ligand aromatic carbons, only has a moderate influence on the performance of most models. Despite robust models for HOMO-LUMO gaps, these types of machine learning models based on structure connectivity type features perform poorly in predicting ethylene migratory insertion barrier heights. Therefore, we developed several relatively robust and accurate machine learning models for barrier heights that are based on quantum-chemical descriptors (QCDs). The quantitative accuracy of these models depends on which potential energy surface structure QCDs were harvested from. This revealed a Hammett-type principle to naturally emerge showing that QCDs from the π-coordination complexes provide much better descriptions of the transition states than other potential-energy structures. Feature importance analysis of the QCDs provides several fundamental principles that influence zirconocene catalyst reactivity.

Macroscopic Mechanical Properties and Microstructure Characteristics of Solid Waste Base Capillary Retarded Field Covering Material

In the practical operation of traditional landfills, compaction clay often experiences cracking, while the HDPE geomembrane may tear and bulge, resulting in a compromised performance of the landfill covering system. To address this issue, a capillary retarding covering material for landfill sites is proposed by utilizing municipal sludge and construction waste particles as substrates and incorporating a small quantity of calcium bentonite. The mechanical characteristics of the covering material were investigated using a standard consolidation test and a triaxial compression test. A permeability test and a soil water characteristic curve (SWCC) test were conducted to examine the permeability and capillary retarding effect of the covering material. Microscopic tests including SEM scanning, laser particle size analysis, and T2 NMR analysis were performed to investigate the connection mode, particle size composition, and pore structure characteristics of the covered particles. Based on the aforementioned research, the following conclusions can be drawn: The cohesion of the covering material ranged from 50 to 150 kPa, while the internal friction angle ranged from 24.23° to 31°. The cohesion was directly proportional to the content of construction waste, whereas the internal friction angle was inversely proportional to calcium bentonite content. The permeability coefficient ranged from 5.04 × 10−6 cm/s to 7.34 × 10−5 cm/s, indicating a certain level of impermeability. Both the sludge and the calcium bentonite contents jointly influenced the final permeability coefficient in a negative correlation manner, with a notable hydraulic hysteresis phenomenon observed. A higher content of construction waste leads to a more pronounced supporting force exerted by the formed skeleton structures within a load pressure range between 0 and 1600 kPa. When considering a mass ratio of municipal sludge: construction waste: calcium bentonite as 30:60:7, respectively, only a decrease in the pore ratio by approximately 13.20% was observed. This study provides valuable data support for designing and applying capillary retarding cover barrier systems in landfills.