ABSTRACT
The configuration of a containment system for wastes plays a significant role with respect to the effectiveness of the system in meeting its design function during the design life. Essentially, configuration is the arrangement of the components of the system. It influences the extent to which the components are exposed to environmental stresses, contaminant and moisture contact, and anthropogenic activities. Also, the configuration of components within a multicomponent system affects the distribution and propagation of stresses and deformation from one component to another. The objective of this chapter is to introduce the reader to the most common configurations of waste containment systems. Design approaches and quantitative expressions for various components of containment systems are provided in Chapters 9, 11, and 12.
