Prediction of geosynthetic clay liner desiccation in low stress applications.

ABSTRACT: The risk of geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) desiccation in low stress applications such as solar ponds was investigated using a fully coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical model. Parameters were developed and verified by comparison with previously reported laboratory data. A parametric study was performed to establish recommendations for future investigation. The water retention curve of the GCL was found to have a significant effect on the conditions that are expected to cause desiccation. The temperature coefficient of the water retention curve was also found to have a significant effect, yet this parameter is not well defined. Poisson's ratio was found to affect the risk of desiccation in proportion to the applied stress. As reported by previous researchers, the initial degree of saturation of a GCL was found to influence desiccation; however, the effect was diminished at low applied stress. The magnitude of the increase in liner temperature, above groundwater temperature, was found to have the potential to cause desiccation of a GCL in a composite liner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]