Clay Liner Construction and Quality Control

Abstract

Soil handling and liner construction practices at hazardous waste management facilities are documented. Soil characterizations, processing techniques, construction methods, and quality control of constructed liners are reviewed and compared. Results indicate widely different testing and construction methods at 23 facilities nationwide. Laboratory research indicates that selected clay soils exhibit low hydraulic conductivity to water and certain nonwater liquid wastes. This characteristic makes clay soils potentially useful as liner materials at hazardous waste management facilities. Such facilities have been constructed and, although the intended barrier function of the liners is always the same, testing and construction techniques are seen to vary from site to site. The need for parallel laboratory hydraulic conductivity testing and practices in field preparation of clay soils is noted.