ABSTRACT
This paper considers the engineering behaviour of bentonite-enhanced soil mixtures (BES) in relation to their performance as environmental barriers. Data on the swelling and hydraulic conductivity of three different soil mixtures over a range of confining stresses are presented. A model to predict the swelling and hydraulic conductivity of the bentonite-enhanced soil mixtures in distilled water and various salt solutions is proposed. The model requires the swelling behaviour and hydraulic conductivity of the bentonite in the relevant solution, and the compressibility, porosity and tortuosity of the soil component as input parameters. Soil tortuosity is estimated. Model predictions fit closely with the data.
KEYWORDS: geotechnical engineering; barrier; clays
