Hydraulic Design of Geosynthetic and Granular Liquid Collection Layers

Abstract

The present paper provides equations for the hydraulic design of liquid collection layers. A first series of equations gives the maximum thickness of the liquid collected in a liquid collection layer. These equations are used in design to check that the maximum liquid thickness is less than an allowable thickness. Some of the equations make it possible to rigorously calculate the liquid thickness, whereas other equations, which are simpler, give an approximate value of the liquid thickness. A second series of equations makes it possible to calculate the required hydraulic conductivity of the liquid collection layer material and the required hydraulic transmissivity of the liquid collection layer. These equations are useful for selecting the material used to construct the liquid collection layer. The equations provided in the present paper include reduction factors to quantify the decrease in flow capacity of liquid collection layers due to thickness reduction (caused by the applied stresses) and hydraulic conductivity reduction (caused by clogging). Practical recommendations and design examples are presented for both geosynthetic and granular liquid collection layers.