Geosynthetic Clay Landfill Liners

Geosynthetic Clay Liners (GCLs) made from sodium bentonite clay have been used in landfill applications throughout the world for over 50 years. GCL is a highly effective waste containment barrier that reduces leakage from waste containment structures and water infiltration through landfill caps.

GCL Landfill Liner Applications

Infraclay natural sodium bentonite clay liners are generally installed as the bottom layer of a landfill lining system. It replaces compacted clay material which may not be available or present in the constructed landfill. The GCL acts as a primary seal to achieve ultimate protection for the HDPE liner which sits on top of it.

Because bentonite clay liners for waste containment cells are manufactured under quality controlled conditions, they perform better, are more economical and more durable than traditional clay. Unlike other geomembranes, bentonite clay self-heals around holes, punctures or protrusions, such as gas pipes, to reduce leaking caused by installation damage.

Geosynthetic Clay Liners are made from high-swelling natural sodium bentonite clay granules and a non woven geotextile, needle punched to a woven geotextile. When hydrated, sodium bentonite clay swells to form a waterproof barrier that other liquids cannot pass through. GCLs made from bentonite clay dust experiences excessive swelling and shrinking and have a higher permeability than granular bentonite at suctions less than 1000 kPa. For this reason, Geosynthetic Clay Liners made from granular bentonite should be used for landfill containment systems.

GCL Landfill Caps

When full, landfill cells are covered to eliminate odour and to prevent rainfall causing leachate to enter the groundwater. Bentonite clay liners provide the flexibility needed to accommodate the movement in waste material as it decomposes. Infraclay clay landfill liners are suitable for flat, sloped, or curved soil sites and landfill caps. Usually a layer of soil is placed over the liner and grass established to control soil erosion.

Geosynthetics Australia can also save you time and money by manufacturing geosynthetic clay liners to project specific requirements. Infraclay clay liners with a PE membrane bonded to them and GCLs made from saline resistant polymer modified bentonite are also available.

Geosynthetic clay landfill liners. Bentofix, Elcoseal, Voltex, Bentoseal

Infraclay GCL landfill cap at Barretta Landfill

GCL, landfill, Voltex, Elcoseal, Bentofix,Bentoseal, Geosynthetic Clay Liner

Installing 130,000m2 of Infraclay clay liner (GCL) to seal the base of a landfill

 

Infraclay Landfill Cap

Specification

Infraclay Landfill Liner Unit Value
GEOTEXTILE PROTECTION LAYER PP non-woven white g/m2 270 AS 3706.1
GEOTEXTILE CARRIER LAYER PP slit film woven g/m2 110
PP non-woven white g/m2 270
Composite g/m2 380
BENTONITE LAYER Natural Sodium Bentonite @15% moisture content) g/m2 4000
Fluid Loss ml ≤15 ASTM D5891
Swell Index (2g/100ml/24h) ml/2g ≥27 ASTM D5890
MASS PER UNIT AREA GCL g/m2 4650
BONDING PROCESS Full needle-punched
EDGE ENHANCEMENT 300mm bentonite clay
GRAB STRENGTH MACHINE DIRECTION N 1000 ASTM D4632
CROSS DIRECTION N 1200
PEEL STRENGTH N/m 240 ASTM D6496
CBR BURST STRENGTH N ≥2500 AS 3706.4
ELONGATION % ≥40
HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY m/s ≤3×10-11 ASTM D5887
HYDRATED INTERNAL SHEAR STRENGTH
(Peak value measured @ 30kPa normal stress)
kPa ≥45 ASTM D6243
ROLL SIZE Length(m) 30

Comments are closed.