Geoenvironmental applications of geosynthetics

Abstract

The Keynote Lecture focuses on the use of geosynthetics for geoenvironmental applications that are linked with landfills, mining applications and ponds for environmental protection. The Keynote Lecture gives insight into the different applications and the corresponding design theories, regulations and standardization when appropriate, from all over the world. Special attention is given to Europe. The questions of geopipes and geomembranes under high loads are addressed, as in landfill and mining applications high loads can be encountered.The topic of geomembrane protection is then discussed, mainly though large laboratory and field tests. The question of the geomembrane protection in case of geomembrane wrinkles is aiso discussed. Quality assurance and leak detection are then addressed as those points are crucial for the use of geosynthetics. Geosynthetic barrier field performance including use of GCLs in landfill caps, bottom liners temperature and GCL shrinkage are presented. A detailed review of the modelling of advective flow through composite liners based on analytical solutions, empirical equations and numerical modelling for the quantification of leakage both for liquid and gas flow is then given. Migration and attenuation through GCLs is then discussed prior to a discussion of equivalence of composite liners based on elements presented in the previous sections. Modelling for soil liners and composite liners is presented.