Controlling strain in geosynthetic liner systems used in vertically expanded landfills

According to relevant new regulations in China,a composite liner system involving geosynthetic materials must be installed at the bottom of an expanded landfill.The deformation and integrity of the composite liner under a variety of factors are important issue to be considered in the design of a landfill expansion.In this paper,we investigate the strain distribution in geosynthetic materials within the composite liner system of expanded landfills,including strains in geosynthetic materials resulting from overall settlement and lateral movement of landfills,localized subsidence in landfills,and differential settlement around gas venting wells.The allowable strains of geosynthetic materials are discussed based on the results of tensile tests,and the corresponding design criteria for composite liner systems are proposed.Meanwhile,practical measures allowing strain control in geosynthetic materials used in landfill engineering are proposed.     

Water retention curves of a geosynthetic clay liner under non-uniform temperature-stress paths

This paper presents a novel suction-controlled chamber that permits the determination of the full water retention curves of geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) under non-uniform temperature-stress paths. It investigates field conditions encountered in brine ponds (low confining stress settings) and heap leach pads (high confining stress settings) during construction and operation stages. Consequently, the analysis of the moisture dynamics in a GCL was defined under the wetting path (construction) and drying path (operation). High vertical stresses were found to facilitate a more rapid water uptake as capillarity is established faster than at low, confined stresses. In general, the drying curves increase the water desorption over the suction range investigated due to the low water viscosity caused by high temperatures. The wetting of the GCL at 20 °C and drying at 70 °C under either low, confined stress (2 kPa) or high confining stress (130 kPa) shows a reduction in the volumetric water contents. Furthermore, on the drying path, the coupled effect of elevated temperature and high confining stress accelerates water desorption leading possibly to potential desiccation.     

Evaluation of interface shear strength of composite liner system and stability analysis for a landfill lining system in Thailand

The paper presents the case history of laboratory evaluation of the interface shear strength properties of various interfaces encountered in a modern day landfill with emphasis on proper simulation of field conditions and subsequent use of these results in the stability analyses of liner system. Over 70 large direct shear tests were systematically conducted to evaluate the interface shear strength properties of composite liner system using project specific materials under site specific conditions, being used at non-hazardous and hazardous landfills project situated in Sa Kaeo Province, Thailand. The critical interfaces were located between the geotextiles and the smooth geomembrane (GM), the smooth GM and the geosynthetic clay liner (GCL), and the smooth GM liner and the compacted clay liner (CCL) with the interface friction angles ranging from 6.5° to 10.5° for dry conditions and 6.5° to 9.5° in wet conditions. The residual shear stress for these interfaces was attained at a displacement less than 4 mm. Three methods, namely, limit equilibrium method (LEM), limit method (LM), and the simple composite column (SCC) approach were used to evaluate the tensile loads induced in the geosynthetic components. The SCC approach proposed by Liu, C.N. [2001. Tension of geosynthetics material regarding soils on landfill liner slopes. Proceedings, National Science Council ROC(A), 25(4), 211–218] that takes into account the force equilibrium as well as displacement compatibility yielded satisfactory results. The factor of safety for geosynthetic components in the liner was found to be greater than 3.0 for both types of landfill.     

Shear strength and failure mechanism of needle-punched geosynthetic clay liner

The internal shear strength of a geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) within composite liner systems is crucial for the stability of landfills and should be carefully considered in the design. To explore the shear strength and failure mechanism of the extensively used needle-punched GCL, a series of displacement-controlled direct shear tests with five normal stress levels (250–1000 kPa) and eight displacement rates (1–200 mm/min) were conducted. The shear stress to horizontal displacement relationships exhibit well-defined peak shear strengths and significant post-peak strength reductions. The monitoring results of the thickness change indicate that the degree of volumetric contraction is related to the reorientation of fibers and dissipation of pore water pressure. Furthermore, the peak and residual shear strengths both depend on the displacement rate because of the rate-dependent tensile stiffness of needle-punched fibers and shear strength of the soil/geosynthetic interface. Through additional tests and lateral comparison, it was discovered that the shear behavior of sodium bentonite, degree of hydration, and pore water pressures all affect the shear mechanisms of the NP GCL. In particular, the failure mode transfers from fiber pullout to fiber rupture with the increase in water content as the hydrated bentonite particles facilitate the stretching of needle-punched fibers.     

State of the practice review of heap leach pad design issues

The authors present a summary of the state of the practice of containment design in copper and gold heap leaching, focusing on recent advancements and how these applications differ from the more conventional landfill design practices. Advancements both within the Americas and worldwide are presented, including consideration of increasing heap depths, which are now approaching 150 m (with ore densities generally in the range of 1500–1800 kg/m³). Liner system performance under these pressures will be reviewed, including the latest developments in drainage pipe performance testing. The authors will also explore the recently emerging technology of using concentrated sulfuric acid pre-curing for copper ores and the related compatibility issues with conventional geomembrane materials.     

Development of a numerical model for performance-based design of geosynthetic liner systems

A numerical model for performance-based design of the geosynthetic elements of waste containment systems has been developed. The model offers a rational alternative to the current state of practice for design of geosynthetic containment system elements in which neither the strains nor the forces in liner system elements are explicitly calculated. To explicitly assess the ability of the geosynthetic elements of a containment system to maintain their integrity under both static and seismic loads, a large strain finite difference model of waste-liner system interaction was developed. Modular features within the model allow the user to select the appropriate features required for any particular problem. A beam element with zero moment of inertia and with interface elements on both sides is employed in the model to represent a geosynthetic element in the liner system. This enables explicit calculation of the axial forces and strains within the liner system element. Non-linear constitutive models were developed to represent the stress-strain behavior of geomembrane and geosynthetic clay liner beam elements and the load-displacement behavior of the beam interfaces. The use of the various features on the model is illustrated using available experimental data, including shaking table test data on rigid and compliant blocks sliding on geomembranes. Analysis of geomembranes subject to waste settlement and subject to seismic loading demonstrate applications of the model and provide insight into the behavior of geosynthetic liner system elements subject to tensile loads.     

膨润土防水毯在渗滤液环境下防渗性能的测试应用研究

膨润土防水毯作为一种优异的防渗材料,国内暂无其在渗滤液环境下的渗透性能报道。本文拟配置性能组分稳定的代表性合成渗滤液作为实际渗滤液的替代试验介质,研究合成渗沥液对膨润土原料膨胀性能和滤失性能的影响,测试在合成渗滤液环境中,不同压力和温度条件下膨润土防水毯的渗透系数,以此为垃圾填埋工程和其他固废填埋工程使用膨润土防水毯作为防渗衬垫提供指导。     

福州海西动漫园人工搿防渗工程施工技术

摘要：介绍了LAKEMAT膨润土防水毯应用于福州海西动漫园人工湖的施工技术,对基面处理、材料性能、施工工艺、细部节点处理等重要环节进行了详细阐述,指出LAKEMAT膨润土防水毯是一种特别适用于人工湖等水工建筑的防水材料。     

地下室防水体系的简化设计

通过结构主体的简化设计、主体附加防水的选择以及节点构造的简化,提出地下室防水体系简化设计的概念和方法。结构主体设计方面,采用厚底板、侧壁墙柱分开设置、外墙窗井与风道由外挂改为内设,都是有效的简化措施;主体附加防水设计方面,采用预铺反粘类卷材、膨润土毯等防水材料,都能简化构造层次;施工缝、后浇带、穿墙管等细部节点,也都可通过选用新型防水止水材料和改进设计达到简化、优化的目的。     

Geosynthetic liner integrity and stability analysis for a waste containment facility with a preferential slip plane within the liner system

The paper examines the effects of settlement-induced downdrag on geosynthetic liner systems for a waste containment facility with steep side slopes for different design scenarios, and conducts the stability analysis of the waste mass during waste filling operations. Without the presence of a reinforcing layer above a geomembrane (GMB) liner, the liner experiences unacceptable tensile strains under both short- and long-term downdrag waste settlements. It is shown that an anchored high strength/stiffness geotextile (HS-GTX) reinforcement over the GMB can reduce the GMB tensile strains to less than 3%, but the HS-GTX itself may be overloaded. A geosynthetic slip layer over the full or partial HS-GTX reinforcement overlying the GMB can reduce the tensile strains of the GMB to less than 3% and of the HS-GTX to less than 5% by providing a preferential slip plane between the geosynthetic slip layer and the HS-GTX. A rupture of the geosynthetic slip layer is likely to occur resulting in the exposure of the HS-GTX to the waste, but the protection of the GMB by the HS-GTX is still expected. The results from the stability analysis show that, during waste filling operations under a given factor of safety, there is a critical relationship between the width of the top of the waste pile and the total waste thickness.     

基础局部沉降下土工格栅加筋衬垫系统变形特性的试验研究

基础局部沉降会引起垃圾填埋场衬垫系统中的土工膜产生较大的拉应变,有可能导致衬垫系统性能下降,因此正确评价衬垫系统的应变就显得非常重要。通过模拟试验,采用应变片和位移计对基础发生局部沉降后土工格栅加筋衬垫系统的变形进行试验研究。试验结果表明:环境温度对衬垫系统的变形影响较大;相同组成材料下土工格栅和土工膜叠放在一起比其他方案更能降低土工膜的应变;衬垫系统刚度对沉陷范围影响不大,但对最大应变值影响较大。所得结果对垃圾填埋场衬垫系统的设计具有一定的指导意义。     

Failure mechanisms of geosynthetic clay liner and textured geomembrane composite systems

The objective of this study was to evaluate shear behavior and failure mechanisms of composite systems comprised of a geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) and textured geomembrane (GMX). Internal and interface direct shear tests were performed at normal stresses ranging from 100 kPa to 2000 kPa on eight different GCL/GMX composite systems. These composite systems were selected to assess the effects of (i) GCL peel strength, (ii) geotextile type, (iii) geotextile mass per area, and (iv) GMX spike density. Three failure modes were observed for the composite systems: complete interface failure, partial interface/internal failure, and complete internal failure. Increasing normal stress transitioned the failure mode from complete interface to partial interface/internal to complete internal failure. The peak critical shear strength of GCL/GMX composite systems increased with an increase in GMX spike density. However, the effect of geotextile type and mass per area more profoundly influenced peak critical shear strength at normal stress > 500 kPa, whereby an increase in geotextile mass per area enhanced interlocking between a non-woven geotextile and GMX. Peel strength of a GCL only influenced the GCL/GMX critical shear strength when the failure mode was complete internal failure.     

Heat and moisture migration in a geomembrane–GCL composite liner subjected to high temperatures and low vertical stresses

This paper presents the results of an experimental and numerical modelling of heat and moisture migration conducted on a composite liner comprised of a geomembrane (GMB) and a geosynthetic clay liner (GCL), over a compacted subgrade and subjected to prolonged elevated temperatures at low overburden stresses typical of brine storage ponds or solar evaporation ponds. Results are presented for a GMB sitting on a fully hydrated GCL. Heating the top of the composite liner caused a measurable increase in subgrade temperature to at least to 250 mm below the GCL. However, the presence of an air gap, simulating the presence of a wrinkle in the geomembrane, at the interface between the GMB and the GCL reduced the impact of the high temperatures on the subgrade temperature profile with depth. The change in temperature profile was accompanied by moisture migration from the GCL to the subgrade material. However no desiccation cracks were observed in the GCL and the bentonite was still in a gel form at the end of the time period investigated. Numerical modelling using finite element method (FEM) was performed to simulate the results obtained experimentally. It was found to predict accurately the temperature changes that have occurred in the subgrade material and moisture changes that occurred in both the GCL and subgrade materials.     

Irrigated composite liner designs for fast hydration and prevention of thermal desiccation of geosynthetics clay liners

In composite liners made of geomembrane (GMB)-geosynthetics clay liners (GCLs), maintaining bentonite in the GCL in a suitably hydrated state is critical for their performance. Hydration of GCL from subsoil, following industry best practice, is time consuming and conditional on suitable water chemistry in subsoil. In addition, under thermal gradients, dehydration occurs, with moisture migrating downwards to the subsoil, leading to the development of cracks in the bentonite and hence loss of performance.Two novel ideas are proposed in this paper, namely hydration of GCLs by artificial irrigation and hydraulic separation of the liner system from the underlying subsoil. Three new composite liner designs allowing for actively irrigating a geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) through a geocomposite layer were investigated. In two of the three designs, the hydraulic connection between the GCL and the subsoil was broken by placing an additional GMB between them. The new designs were tested in column experiments under 20 kPa overburden pressure and temperatures of up to 78 °C applied to the top of the liner. The performances of the new designs were compared to that of a standard GCL-GMB design where GCL was allowed to hydrate from a well-graded sandy subsoil. Three scenarios for the staging of hydration and thermal load application were investigated.Under active hydration of the composite liners, it took less than 14 days for the GCLs to reach a gravimetric water content ω of 110–130%, compared to 49 days taken to reach ω~95% under hydration from the subsoil. GCLs in the new designs in which the hydraulic connection with the subsoil was broken, remained well-hydrated (ω>100%) after 14 days of heating and no cracks appeared in the bentonite. On the other hand, the GCL in the conventional design experienced severe desiccation under the same conditions. The new designs hence offer a viable solution to the problem of slow hydration and/or thermal desiccation of GCLs.     

我国四类衬垫系统防污性能的比较分析

对我国填埋场采用的四类衬垫进行了防污性能的比较分析。评价参数包括渗漏率、污染物击穿时间及衬垫系统底部浓度值。除了2m压实黏土衬垫(CCL)外,其余3种均为包含土工膜(GM)的复合衬垫。分析模型采用了污染物通过有缺陷膜复合衬垫的一维运移解析解。以镉离子(Cd2+)为渗滤液中重金属离子的代表;以苯为其中挥发性有机污染物的代表。研究表明土工复合膨润土垫(GCL)复合衬垫的渗漏率最小,2m黏土最大,两者的差别可在3～5个数量级。GCL复合衬垫对重金属离子具有较好的防污性能,尤其是在高水头及复合衬垫接触较差的情形。厚度较大的2m黏土对挥发性有机污染物的防污性能较好,其击穿时间要比GCL复合衬垫大2～3个数量级。随着水头的增大,CCL复合衬垫的防污性能逐渐地优于2m黏土。在10m水头作用下,CCL复合衬垫底部的100年浓度可比2m黏土小近一个量级。单层膜衬垫的防污性能较差,不适合作为填埋场的衬垫系统。控制填埋场复合衬垫的施工质量和渗滤液水头尤为重要。     

Performance of deteriorated corrugated steel culverts rehabilitated with sprayed-on cementitious liners subjected to surface loads

A variety of alternatives to rehabilitate culverts have been developed over the past decades given their advantages over conventional open-cut culvert replacement. However, the performance of many of these systems has not yet been examined through laboratory testing. The objective of the present paper is to examine the performance of deteriorated steel culverts rehabilitated with spray-on liners when subjected to surface loads. Two 1200 mm diameter corrugated steel pipelines with similar levels of deterioration in the invert-haunch area were buried to a depth of 1200 mm and tested under service load employing a load frame simulating a single axle of a Canadian design truck. The pipelines were then rehabilitated with spray on-cementitious liners (each with a different target thickness). Once rehabilitated, the pipelines were examined again under the service load employing the single axle load frame at 1200 mm of soil cover, and then tested employing a tandem axle load frame at 2100 and 1200 mm of soil cover. During all tests, changes in diameter, curvature and liner strains were monitored. The data obtained indicates that the flexible pipelines responded like semi-rigid structures after rehabilitation. It was also observed that the difference in liner thickness of 30% did influence the response of the pipelines, and that extreme fiber tensions during service loading were 7% and 13% of the tensile strength of the liner materials for the 76 mm and 51 mm liner thicknesses that were specified.     

Performance issues of barrier systems for landfills: A review

The objective of the paper is to give an update in key topics related to performance issues of barrier systems for landfills. The objective of using barrier systems is to minimize the impact of contaminants on the surrounding environment. To achieve this goal puncture protection of the geomembrane must be ensured. An update is first given with respect to this matter. The question of the stability on slope of geosynthetic barrier systems is then discussed and an insight is given in modeling and laboratory measurement of parameters required to perform reliable modeling, especially as regards the case of piggy-back landfills. Geotechnical centrifuge modelling tests are very important for simulation of landfill stability induced by the failure of geosynthetic interfaces and validation of complicated numerical models, especially for the high food waste content landfills. The seismic design or assessment of landfill stability with respect to geosyntheics needs to be investigated. Finally, the question of transfers through bottom barrier systems is addressed, giving an update especially in the analytical solutions developed in the past 10 years in China in this matter. The breakthrough time based design method for landfill liner system was then summarized. The behaviour of double-liner system and its simplified performance-based design method should be further investigated in the high food waste landfills with high leachate level.     

Factors affecting the down-slope erosion of bentonite in a GCL

Leaving a composite liner exposed for an extended period can sometimes lead to down-slope bentonite erosion from geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs). This laboratory study examines a number of factors that can affect the erosion of bentonite particles with an imposed flow of water for one particular geotextile-encased, needle-punched GCL. The factors examined include the effect of an initial wet/dry cycle, water chemistry, flow rate, slope, prior cation exchange, and the effect of no-drying phase in the test cycle. No erosion was observed unless the GCL had been hydrated and dried to create a wet/dry cycle. The most critical factor was found to be the water chemistry. No erosion was observed with tap water (39 ppm calcium) with up to 360 cycles and a flow of 3 L/hour. Tests simulating the evaporation and condensation of water below an exposed composite liner by imposing deionized water on the GCL surface developed erosion holes within 5–6 cycles.     

Consolidation enhanced membrane behavior of a geosynthetic clay liner

Semipermeable membrane behavior in clays refers to the ability of clays to restrict the migration of solutes. Thus, membrane behavior represents a potential benefit to the containment function of clay barriers used for hydraulic containment applications. In this regard, the potential influence of consolidation effective stress, σ′, on the membrane behavior of a geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) containing sodium bentonite was evaluated in the laboratory by establishing differences in salt (KCl) concentrations ranging from 3.9 to 47 mM across specimens of the GCL in a flexible-wall cell under closed-system boundary conditions. The membrane behavior exhibited by the GCL was enhanced via consolidation such that an increase in σ′ from 34.5 kPa (5 psi) to 241 kPa (35 psi) correlated with an increase in membrane efficiency from 0.015 (1.5%) to 0.784 (78.4%), respectively. The membrane efficiencies measured in this study at σ′ of 172 kPa (25 psi) and 241 kPa (35 psi) were similar to those previously reported for the same GCL using a rigid-wall cell but at unknown states of stress. The practical significance of the results is illustrated in the form of an analysis showing a reduction in liquid flux across the GCL with increasing membrane efficiency.     

Barrier properties of a geosynthetic clay liner using polymerized sodium bentonite

The hydraulic and swelling properties of a polymerized bentonite (PB), and the self-healing capacity of a geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) using the PB as the core material (PB-GCL) were investigated experimentally. Five different test liquids included of deionized water, NaCl solutions (0.1 M and 0.6 M) and CaCl₂ solutions (0.1 M and 0.6 M) were used in this study. The PB exhibited a higher free swelling index (FSI) than that of the untreated bentonite (UB) for all test liquids. For permeability test, under a given void ratio (e), the value of k of the PB is much lower than that of the UB in NaCl and CaCl₂ solutions. The PB-GCL specimens demonstrated a higher self-healing capacity than that of the corresponding GCL specimens using the UB (UB-GCL). Specifically, when using a 0.6 M CaCl₂ solution for a 20-mm-diameter damage hole, the UB-GCL specimen provided a zero healing ratio (healed damage area/total damage area), but the PB-GCL specimen demonstrated an approximately 76% healing ratio. The results from this study indicate that the PB-GCL provided better barrier performance against cationic liquids with higher cation valence and concentrations compared to that of the UB-GCL.