ABSTRACT
One of the benefits of a double lining system is that it allows the designer and operator to quantify the performance of the system. Significant theoretical and empirical design procedures which allow modelling of the lining system exist. A rationale has been presented for calculating the leakage through a hole in a geomembrane for the cases of geomembrane-only liners and geomembrane/clay composite liners. Calculation of the leakage through a clay-only liner can be carried out based on the hydraulic conductivity of the soil and the head of leachate above the liner. Leakage can be detected in a variety of ways in the case of a single liner, regardless of its components. The problem is that it cannot be detected and measured within the barrier system. Regardless of the quantity of leakage through the primary liner of a double lined system, there exists a time factor which is critical to the designer's reaction to a leak.
