Product Overview

The Bentonite Geosynthetic Clay Liner (GCL) is a high-performance, geosynthetic material that consists of a layer of natural bentonite clay sandwiched between two geotextiles. The bentonite clay layer, when hydrated, expands to create a self-healing, impermeable barrier, making it highly effective in preventing water and contaminants from passing through. The product is commonly used in civil engineering, environmental protection, and waste containment applications, offering a cost-effective and long-lasting solution to waterproofing and soil stabilization challenges.

Product Features

• Superior Waterproofing: The natural bentonite clay swells and seals when it comes into contact with water, forming a robust and impermeable barrier.
• Self-Healing: The bentonite clay’s ability to self-seal small punctures or cracks contributes to its long-term performance, making it highly reliable for applications requiring high water retention.
• High Durability: The combination of geotextiles and bentonite clay provides excellent strength and durability, even under extreme conditions of temperature, pressure, and UV exposure.
• Environmental Safety: Made from non-toxic and environmentally friendly materials, the GCL is a safe solution for various environmental protection projects.
• Lightweight and Easy to Install: Compared to traditional clay liners, the GCL is lighter and easier to handle, reducing transportation and installation costs.

Product Specifications

• Material Composition: Made of a layer of sodium bentonite clay encapsulated between two layers of nonwoven geotextiles, providing structural stability and water resistance.
• Thickness: Typically, the bentonite layer is 5mm to 10mm thick, with the overall thickness of the GCL usually ranging from 8mm to 15mm, depending on the design specifications.
• Width: Available in rolls with widths of up to 6 meters, suitable for large-scale applications.
• Permeability: The GCL has a permeability coefficient of typically 10^-9 cm/s or lower, ensuring effective prevention of water flow.
• Tensile Strength: The GCL typically exhibits a tensile strength of 8-15 MPa, depending on the material and project requirements.
• Weight: The typical weight of the material is 4-5 kg/m², which makes it lightweight and easy to transport.

Applications

• Landfills: Commonly used as a primary liner material to prevent leachate contamination in municipal and industrial landfills.
• Water Containment: Ideal for lining ponds, artificial lakes, and reservoirs, ensuring no water loss or contamination.
• Mining: Used for tailings dams, heap leach pads, and other mining waste containment projects to prevent leachate from contaminating the environment.
• Soil Containment: Employed in projects that require the containment of hazardous materials or polluted soils, such as contaminated site remediation or chemical containment.
• Wastewater Treatment: Suitable for lining treatment ponds, lagoons, and basins where wastewater containment is critical.
• Civil Engineering: Often used in canal linings, foundation waterproofing, and other infrastructure projects requiring effective water barriers.

Construction Recommendations

1. Site Preparation: Prior to installation, ensure that the foundation is clean, smooth, and free from sharp objects or debris that may damage the liner. The surface should be properly compacted to avoid uneven stress on the liner.

2. Installation Method: Unroll the Bentonite Geosynthetic Clay Liner evenly and lay it out with minimal wrinkles. Ensure the liner is properly aligned to avoid excessive overlaps. The seams between sheets should be securely joined, typically with stitching or adhesive methods as specified by the manufacturer.

3. Seam Sealing: For the GCL, the seams should be sealed by overlapping the material by at least 15-30 cm, and proper sealing methods should be used to avoid leaks. In some applications, the use of a geomembrane for additional protection may be recommended.

4. Protection During Installation: During installation, avoid excessive foot traffic or damage to the liner material. Take care when handling sharp tools or machinery near the GCL to prevent punctures or tears.

5. Backfilling and Coverage: Once installed, cover the liner with a protective layer of soil or other material to prevent UV degradation and physical damage. The liner should be covered as quickly as possible after installation.

6. Quality Control: Post-installation, it’s essential to inspect the entire installation for any defects or damage. Perform permeability tests to ensure that the GCL is providing the expected level of water resistance.