Predicting self-healing ratio of GCL with a damage hole

Self-healing ratio of geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) with a damage hole has been investigated and a prediction method has been proposed. Laboratory leakage rate/self-healing capacity tests of GCLs with a damage hole were conducted and the test results indicate that the amount of bentonite entered the damage hole and its water content are a function of the type of liquid used, diameter of the damage hole and overburden pressure on the GCL sample. The proposed prediction method uses basic physical properties of a GCL, and the liquid limit of the bentonite in the GCL with the corresponding liquid. Good agreement has been obtained between the predicted and laboratory measured self-healing ratio (healed area divided by the total damage area). It is suggested that the method can be used to evaluate the suitability of a GCL to a particular site.