ABSTRACT

Traditionally, the design of clay-based barriers is the responsibility of geotechnical engineers trained in soil mechanics and its application in foundation and earthquake engineering, slope stability and other issues in ground engineering. Some of the basic tools available and used include: (a) the vast body of classical and engineering mechanics, (b) geomorphology and engineering geology and (c) a range of laboratory tests specifically designed to determine soil properties, characteristics and performance. Except for tests designed to examine properties and performance of soils under extreme weather conditions (high and low temperatures) and other specific constraints, the common practice for laboratory testing has been to perform tests at room temperature under aerobic conditions.