SEALING SOIL CONSERVATION EARTHWORKS WITH BENTONITE

Rates and methods of application of bentonite were tested inthe laboratory with three grades of construction material. Applying bentonite as a mixed layer 10 cm thick and holding this in position with a blanket of the soil material is recommended for field application. Rates of between 5 and 7kg/square metre of bentonite were found to effectively prevent percolation of water in the materials under the experimental conditions except in the case of poorly graded coarse material. In the latter case, bentonite at rates up to 14 kg/square metre, as a mixed layer, was not successful. Two case studies of field use of bentonite are reported. Two new uses for bentonite are proposed. These are for the reduction of seepage in tunnelling susceptible soils and for the sealing of strongly aggregated clay soils. (TRRL)

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  • Corporate Authors:

    Soil Conservation Service

    P.O. Box R201, Royal Exchange Post Office
    Sydney, New South Wales 2000,   Australia 
  • Authors:
    • Elliott, G L
  • Publication Date: 1980-4

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Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00335768
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: ARRB
  • Files: ITRD, TRIS
  • Created Date: Dec 22 1981 12:00AM