Bentonite Matting in Composite Lining Systems

Schubert, William R.; ,

Bentonite Matting in Composite Lining Systems

by William R. Schubert, Waste Management of North America, Inc, Palos Heights, IL, USA,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Geotechnical Practice for Waste Disposal '87

Abstract:

The 1984 Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments to RCRA mandated that double lining systems utilizing synthetic membrane liners be required for hazardous waste landfills. Recognizing the susceptibility of synthetic membranes to small defects, such as punctures and faculty seams, many designers opted to combine synthetic membrane liners with a clay component. Lining systems utilizing a synthetic membrane and clay materials are known as composite liners. The clay component of many composite liners range from 1. 5 feet to 5 feet in thickness. Due to landfill volume constraints, a composite liner utilizing bentonite matting as the clay component was designed. The thickness of this composite liner is less than 0. 5 inches. The liner consists of prefabricated bentonite matting material placed between two polyethylene membranes. Laboratory testing consisted of subjecting the composite liner to actual landfill leachate under design maximum hydraulic heads, as simulated in a triaxial cell. Details of the actual construction of this liner, as well as operating performance data to date, are also presented with this paper.

Return to search