Hysteresis of the water retention curves of geosynthetic clay liners in the high suction range

This paper examines two needle-punched geosynthetic clay liners' water retention behaviour at high suction ranges using the vapour equilibrium technique where super-saturated salt solutions controlled the relative humidity. This study shows that the bentonite form and its mineralogy affect the absorption/desorption of GCLs and their corresponding water retention curves. In particular, a granular bentonite-based GCL was found to absorb more and release less water than a powdered bentonite-based GCL due to its higher montmorillonite content and larger pores. The water retention curves of both GCLs exhibited very little hysteretic behaviour at high suction. Repeated wetting-drying cycles shifted the WRCs of both GCLs slightly downward with minimal impact on their degree of hysteresis.     

Effect of water salinity on the water retention curve of geosynthetic clay liners

The effect of water salinity on the water retention curve of geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs), under constant volume condition is examined. The results indicate that at a constant gravimetric moisture content the total suction increases as the salinity of the wetting liquid increases. Furthermore, the difference in total suction between the GCL hydrated by saline water and distilled water is greater than the difference in the osmotic potential of the wetting water. This behaviour is possibly caused by the matric suction being affected by the expected chemically induced pore size change of the bentonite component of the GCL.     

Influence of polymer enhancement on water uptake,retention and barrier performance of geosynthetic clay liners

This paper explores the influence of polymer enhancement on water uptake and retention by geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) across a wide suction range (up to 10⁶ kPa), including the low suction regime (0.1–10 kPa) typically omitted in past studies. The suction measurement methods used enabled elucidation of water uptake and retention behaviour through the framework of GCL pore structures and their corresponding suction regimes. Polymer enhanced GCLs (PE-GCLs) have high maximum water uptake, and both the water entry and air expulsion values tend to be high. Due to high swelling, the onset of geotextile confinement for PE-GCLs was observed at high suctions. The impact of polymer becomes more apparent when the bentonite achieves a pseudo-two-layer interlayer hydration state at a suction of about 40 MPa (RH = 75%). The hydration mechanism for the polymer fraction in bentonite is unique to the specific polymer type, polymer dosage, and manufacturing process. The water retention behaviour at the low suction range is caused by the in-filling of geotextile pores, bentonite swelling and extrusion, and polymer water adsorption. Insights from this study can form the basis for developing a more suitable bimodal generalised model for fitting the water retention curves of GCLs.     

Laboratory investigation of GCL hydration from Lateritic subsoils

A laboratory investigation on the hydration behavior of GCLs from lateritic soils was conducted under isothermal and thermal conditions (tropical climate), varying subsoil moisture contents, GCLs bentonite particle size and mineralogy. GCL hydration levels from lateritic subsoils under isothermal conditions (55%) were similar to literature findings. A slight decrease in water content of some GCLs after long periods of contact with the lateritic soils indicates that equilibrium can demand long time in these soils. GCL with granular bentonites were less efficient to hydrate from lateritic subsoils. GCLs with activated-calcium bentonites maintained hydration levels in long-term. Nonwoven geotextile facing down favored capillary effects. Thermal cycles significantly influenced GCLs hydration from subsoils. Capillary connections developed during hydration under isothermal conditions due to suction gradient reductions. Post-hydration tests under isothermal conditions showed more alterations in GCLs swelling and cation exchange properties than thermal cycles test. An increase in the saturated hydraulic conductivity of GCLs was observed in both lateritic soils, mainly for isothermal condition, although continued attending hydraulic conductivity requirements for barrier applications.     

Insufficient initial hydration of GCLs from some subgrades: Factors and causes

Water retention and hydration tests are reported for three needle punched geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs). GCLs hydration and their maximum hydration capacity were assessed against subgrade soils prepared at different initial gravimetric water contents. The subgrade soil mineralogy and particle size distribution, as well as the carrier geotextiles used in GCLs, are shown to have a significant impact on the GCLs hydration behaviour. This work highlights the need to consider the unsaturated properties of both the GCLs and the subgrade soil when assessing the hydration of the GCLs. At gravimetric water contents above the GCL water entry value (≈30%), some forms of GCL configuration may be better than others with respect to ability to hydrate from a given soil. However, the partial hydration of GCL is mostly controlled by the bentonite microstructure for gravimetric water contents below the water entry value of the GCLs.     

Effect of stress on water retention of needlepunched geosynthetic clay liners

Geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) are placed at the bottom of waste disposal facilities where they hydrate from the subsoil and eventually from a hydraulic head on geomembranes (GMs) defects. Predicting hydration behavior of GCLs requires knowledge of the water-retention properties of the GCL along wetting paths. Given that GCLs could be subjected to different ranges of vertical stresses that are induced by the weight of the supported waste, the confining stress could affect water-retention properties of GCLs and should be investigated. To do so, a laboratory methodology to establish the water-retention curves (WRCs) of needlepunched GCLs under stress was undertaken. Various constant vertical stresses corresponding to different weights of the supported waste were applied to GCL specimens placed in controlled-suction oedometers. Suction values were selected so as to mimic a wetting path from the initial dry state to zero suction. Suction was controlled by using controlled suction techniques with controlled humidity imposed by a saturated saline solutions and using the osmotic technique with polyethylene glycol (PEG) solutions. Measurements were undertaken on oedometer systems as to apply confining stresses and have been complemented by standard saturated oedometer swelling tests. The data obtained confirm that increasing the stress on to the GCL results in less, albeit faster, water uptake, which could emphasize on recommendations about rapidly covering GCLs after they are placed at the bottom of a waste disposal facilities. Finally, the potential validity of the state-surface concept, which was developed in unsaturated soil mechanics, is discussed using van Guenuchten's and Fredlund and Xing's equations for water retention curves.     

Interface shear strength between geosynthetic clay liner and covering soil on the embankment of an irrigation pond and stability evaluation of its widened sections

Geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) are typically used for widening sections of an embankment. They are also used as low permeability liners to minimize water leakage from reservoirs such as irrigation ponds. However, few investigations have been carried out on the specific properties of GCLs, such as granulated bentonite sandwiched between geotextiles, their internal shear strength, and the shear strength at the interface between a GCL and an embankment body. In this study, a series of direct box shear tests were performed to determine the shear strength properties of bentonite and compacted soils as well as at the interface between a GCL and bentonite or compacted soil. In addition, a series of field-loading tests were conducted to investigate the failure behaviour of an embankment body containing a GCL when changes in the water content of the bentonite of the GCL in a real embankment occur. Furthermore, the stability of widened embankment bodies that incorporated GCLs were evaluated. The main conclusions of this study are as follows: (1) The shear strength of the interface between the covering soil and geotextiles varied according to the soil type, geotextile type, and the submergence period, (2) the maximum safety factor was observed at the interface between decomposed granite soil and the geotextiles, while the minimum safety factor was observed at the interface between the bentonite and the geotextiles, and (3) the influence of GCLs on the instability of a widened embankment was extremely small.     

Investigating factors influencing polymer elution and the mechanism controlling the chemical compatibility of GCLs containing linear polymers

A study was conducted to investigate (1) physicochemical factors that influence polymer elution from GCLs containing a blend of bentonite and linear (water-soluble) polymer (LPB GCLs) and (2) the mechanism that controls the chemical compatibility of LPB GCLs when polymer elutes. A series of hydraulic conductivity (k), free swell and viscosity tests were performed on a commercial LPB GCL using DI water, varying concentrations of NaCl and CaCl?. Comparable tests were also performed on a conventional bentonite (CB) GCL containing the same untreated bentonite and the same physical properties as the LPB GCL. The LPB GCL showed improved swelling and hydraulic performance compared to the CB GCL when permeated with salt solutions. Total organic carbon analysis of the effluents showed that polymer eluted from the LPB GCL regardless of the permeant solution. However, the rate at which polymer eluted increased as the concentration and valence of the dominant cation increased. The rate at which polymer eluted also increased with hydraulic gradient. The mass of polymer retained inside the GCL matrix did not correlate with the k of the LPB GCL. Free swell tests coupled with chemical analysis suggest that, the improved chemical compatibility of the LPB GCL was due to the ability of the polymer to scavenge cations from the solution which allows the bentonite to undergo adequate swelling during the initial hydration period. Analogous to water-prehydrated CB GCLs, the dispersed structure of the bentonite fabric and increased adsorbed water molecules attained during initial swelling controls the k of the LPB GCL when polymer elutes.     

Water exchange across a subgrade-GCL interface as impacted by polymers and environmental conditions

This paper examines the hydration behaviour of polymer enhanced geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) under both isothermal conditions and diurnal cyclical temperatures as recorded at a Melbourne landfill site. The diurnal temperature cycles introduced thermal gradients, which induced water movement downwards into the subgrade. It was found that the bulk of the thermal and hydraulic effects occurred within the upper 50 mm of the subgrade layer. Compared to isothermal conditions, diurnal temperature cycling's main effect was to suppress GCL hydration. Thermal gradients induced capillary breaks, and GCL hydration was thus limited to vapour phase hydration from the subgrade, which restricted the gravimetric water content of the GCLs to <30%. The hydration process at the interface was observed to gradually return to isothermal condition hydration levels once the temperature cycle conditions were removed. While the polymer's presence ensures the adsorption of more water, it also renders GCLs more sensitive to the effects of temperature. This study provides insights on the hydration behaviour of uncovered GCLs in field applications and the impact that diurnal temperature cycles can have on GCL hydration in a Mediterranean type climate.     

Suction and crack propagation in GCLs subjected to drying and wetting in CaCl2-solutions

The current study addresses the cracking and self-healing capacity of Geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) subjected to drying and wetting in a divalent salt solution. Commercially available GCLs, initially saturated under a load of 3.92 kPa, were stepwise dried for different durations in an oven at 30 °C and rewetted afterwards in deionised water and divalent salt solutions (CaCl₂) of different molarities (0.05 mol/l, 0.5 mol/l and 0.05 mol/l prehydrated). The evolution of cracks and their patterns were studied by analysing X-ray images. In parallel, the water retention behavior was tested on the raw bentonite using micro-cells and a chilled-mirror hygrometer. The morphology of the crack patterns in the GCLs was highly affected by the pore fluid, which was reasoned by reduced tensile strength caused by the salt induced aggregation. The ability to retain water at a given suction was found to be higher for the samples subjected to CaCl₂-solutions in comparision to the sample saturated with deionised water. However, a calculation of the osmotic suction caused by the additional CaCl₂ in the porewater shows that the matric suction of the samples subjeted to CaCl₂ decreases. The crack intensitiy factor (CIF) followed a similar trend and three different drying regimes were identified.     

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.     

Chemical interaction and hydraulic performance of geosynthetic clay liners isothermally hydrated from silty sand subgrade

The effects of the silt aggregation, compaction density, and water content of the subgrade on the hydration of five different geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) products is reported based on a series of laboratory column experiments conducted over a six-year period. GCLs meeting typical specifications in terms of minimum hydraulic conductivity and swell index are hydrated to equilibrium from the same subgrade soil with sufficient cations to cause cation exchange during hydration. It is then shown that the GCL bentonite granularity and GCL structure can have a significant (~four orders of magnitude) effect on hydraulic conductivity under the same test conditions (from 8 × 10⁻¹² m/s for one GCL to 6 × 10⁻⁸ m/s for another GCL product). The effect of subgrade water content on the hydraulic performance of GCLs are not self-evident and quite dependent on the bentonite granularity, GCL structure, and permeant. Varying the subgrade water content from 5 to 16% and allowing the GCL to hydrate to equilibrium before permeation led to up to 5-fold difference in hydraulic conductivity when permeated with tap water and up to 60-fold difference when the same product is permeated with synthetic municipal solid waste leachate. When permeated with synthetic leachate, increasing stress from 70 kPa to 150 kPa led to a slight (average 37%; maximum 2.7-fold) decrease in hydraulic conductivity due to a decrease in bulk void ratio. It is shown that hydraulic conductivity is lower for GCLs with a scrim-reinforced geotextile, and/or with finer bentonite. It is shown that selecting a GCL based on the initial hydraulic conductivity and swell index in a manufacturers product sheet provides no assurance of good performance in field applications and it is recommended that designers pay more attention to selection of a GCL and preparation of the subgrade for important projects.     

Effect of wet-dry cycles on standard & polymer-amended GCLs in covers subjected to flow over the GCL

The performance of five different GCLs (two GCLs with standard sodium bentonite and three GCLs with polymer enhanced bentonite) subjected to three different climatic modes of wet-dry cycles simulating conditions to which a GCL might expose in cover systems over a prolonged time is reported. The wetting cycles lasted for 8 h, while the drying cycles varied between 16 h, seven days, and 14 days. It is shown that after around a year of accelerated aging, the hydraulic conductivity of the aged GCLs increased notably when permeated with tap water at an applied effective stress of 15 kPa for a range of heads (0.07, 0.14, 0.21, 0.49, and 1.2 m). The combined effects of the number and the duration of the wet-dry cycles, the GCL's mass per unit area, the carrier geotextile, the size and the number of the needle punch bundles, and the thermal treatment to bond the needle-punch bundles to the carrier geotextile are discussed. The poor hydraulic performance of the polymer-amended/modified bentonite GCLs is discussed.     

Instrumentation for monitoring field performance of the Cincinnati GCL test plots

Fourteen full-scale cover systems were constructed at a site in Cincinnati, Ohio, to understand better the strength capability of various GCLs as a component in cover systems. Four different geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) products were installed in full-scale cover systems on two different slopes. The main objective of the project was to monitor the internal shear strength of the GCLs over time. This required in-situ yet economic instrumentation. Instruments were designed, calibrated and installed in the test plots in order to monitor the moisture content of the subsoil and moisture content within the bentonite component of the GCL. In addition, total and differential deformations of the GCLs were monitored. The focus of'this paper is to report the details of instrumenting the GCLs rather than to report on specific GCL performance.     

Hydrodynamic assessment of bentonite granule size and granule swelling on hydraulic conductivity of geosynthetic clay liners

Flow in an idealized geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) containing bentonite comprised of equisized and equispaced square granules was simulated using a hydrodynamic model to quantitatively evaluate the premise that the hydraulic conductivity of GCLs diminishes as the bentonite granules hydrate and swell into adjacent intergranular pores, creating smaller and tortuous intergranular flow paths. Predictions with the model indicate that hydraulic conductivity decreases as granules swell and intergranular pores become smaller, and that greater granule swelling during hydration is required to achieve low hydraulic conductivity when the bentonite is comprised of larger granules, or the bentonite density is lower (lower bentonite mass per unit area). Predictions made with the model indicate that intergranular pores become extremely small (<1 μm) as the hydraulic conductivity approaches 10⁻¹¹ m/s. These outcomes are consistent with experimental data showing that GCLs are more permeable when hydrated and permeated with solutions that suppress swelling of the bentonite granules, and that the hydraulic conductivity of GCLs with bentonite having smaller intergranular pores (e.g., GCLs with smaller bentonite granules, more broadly graded particles, or higher bentonite density) is less sensitive to solutions that suppress swelling.     

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.     

Impact of a synthetic leachate on permittivity of GCLs measured by filter press and oedopermeameter tests

Geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) are used in landfill liner applications due primarily to their low hydraulic conductivity to water. The low hydraulic conductivity of GCLs comes from the structure of the clay in the bentonite. However, the interaction between clay and aggressive liquids may alter the structure of the clay and, thus, result in an increase in the hydraulic conductivity of the GCL. This paper presents the results of a project aimed at evaluating the impact of a synthetic leachate on the structure of four different bentonites used in the manufacturing of GCLs. The preparation of bentonite dispersions increased the interaction between the bentonites and the various liquids. The hydraulic properties of the dispersions also were tested using filter press tests to obtain flow curves. Results of these tests were correlated with the cationic concentration, electrical conductivity and pH of the dispersions, swell indexes of the bentonite extracted from the GCLs, and permittivities of the intact GCLs determined in oedopermeameter tests. The results showed that one bentonite was more sensitive to the synthetic leachate than the other bentonites. For example, the permittivities of the more sensitive bentonite based on the oedopermeameter tests and filter press tests were respectively 2.11 × 10⁻⁸ s⁻¹ and 5.6 × 10⁻⁸ s⁻¹, whereas the permittivities for other bentonites, including a natural sodium bentonite and two sodium-activated calcium bentonites, were respectively 5.7 to 6.5 × 10⁻⁹ s⁻¹ and 3.2 to 3.5 × 10⁻⁸ s⁻¹. The filter press test served as a quick and easy-to-use test to compare the performance of the various bentonites in containing a given liquid. However, the oedopermeameter test or direct permeation test is preferable to filter press tests or fluid loss tests for evaluating the long-term impact of a liquid on a bentonite.     

Geosynthetic clay liners: Perceptions and misconceptions

The behaviour of geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) as part of a physical-environmental system is examined. Consideration is given to: (a) both the physical and hydraulic interactions with the materials, and the chemical interactions with the fluids, above and below the liner, (b) time-dependent changes in the materials, (c) heat generated from the material to be contained, as well as (d) the climatic conditions both during construction and during service. This paper explores some common perceptions about GCL behaviour and then examines the misconceptions that can arise and their implications. It demonstrates how what may first appear obvious is not always as one expects and that more is not always better. It discusses: (i) the pore structure of a GCL, (ii) the dependency of the water retention curve of the GCL on its structure, bentonite particle sizes and applied stress, (iii) the effect of the subgrade pore water chemistry, (iv) the mineralogy of the subgrade, and (v) thermal effects. The desirability of a GCL being reasonably well-hydrated before being permeated is examined. The critical size of needle-punch bundles at which preferential flow can increase hydraulic conductivity by orders of magnitude is illustrated. The dependency of self-healing of holes on the interaction between GCL and subgrade is discussed. Finally, the transmissivity of the geomembrane/GCL interface is shown to be a function of GCL and geomembrane characteristics and to be poorly correlated with GCL hydraulic conductivity.     

Effect of geosynthetic component characteristics on the potential for GCL internal erosion

Experiments quantifying GCL permittivity and the ultimate water head the GCLs can sustain before the initiation of internal erosion when underlain by a 50 mm angular to subangular gravel subgrade are conducted. The influence of different geotextiles over the subgrade, water heads, hydration periods before testing, masses per unit area of bentonite within the GCL, and ionic strengths of the solution (cation exchange) are considered. Test results show that GCL with the scrim-reinforced nonwoven geotextile over the subgrade has the best hydraulic performance against internal erosion, followed by the woven geotextile coated with a 110 g/m² polypropylene film. A woven or nonwoven is the least useful for preventing internal erosion, with the corresponding threshold water head initiating internal erosion >39 m for scrim-reinforced nonwoven, 21 m for lightly coated woven, 4–5 m for woven and nonwoven alone, respectively. Cation exchange, length of hydration, and mass per unit area of bentonite do not notably affect the threshold water head for the subgrade examined. Once internal erosion occurs, there is a 3-order of magnitude increase in permittivity. The practical implications are discussed.