Bearing Capacity of Hydrated Geosynthetic Clay Liners

Abstract

Concern has been expressed about the bearing capacity of hydrated geosynthetic clay liners (CGLs), with respect to the possibility of thevarious products decreasing in thickness and thereby sacrificing their lowas-manufactured hydraulic conductivity properties. This experimental studyshows that, with adequate cover soil placement before loads are applied, thispossibility can be avoided. Traditional design of the cover soil thicknesswith respect to anticipated loadings, followed by proper installationprocedures, should be followed when utilizing GCLs.