A study on the Evaluation of Permeability and Structure for Calcium Bentonite-Sand Mixtures

Abstract

This study was intended to evaluate the water permeability and structure for calcium bentonite-sand mixtures to utilize calcium bentonite as a liner. This study conducted physico-chemical properties tests, compaction tests, permeability test and Scanning Electron Microscopy analysis (SEM) analysis. It was found the higher the ratio of calcium bentonite, the lower the dry density with coefficient of permeability, and the higher the optimum moisture content. In particular, SEM analysis was found the higher the ratio of calcium bentonite, the higher the area of the montmorillonite particles. In conclusion, the optimum coefficient of permeability that finds the landfill liner condition (must be less than 1 × 10 cm/sec) was obtained when the ratio of calcium bentonite was 40% or higher. These findings may improve the understanding of the calcium bentonite as a liner. Calcium bentonite shows a similar permeability to sodium bentonite 7% when mixed at 40% or more. Therefore, it is considered that calcium bentonite can be utilized as a liner.