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Application Sheet Bentofix Fabric Encased GCLs FABRIC ENCASED GEOSYNTHETIC CLAY LINERS(GCLs) UNIFORM BENTONITE CONTENT Bentofix® GCL is produced by distributing a uniform layer The uniform confinement provided by the fibers from the of the sodium bentonite between two geotextiles. Fibers needlepunching process resist lateral migration of the ben- from the upper nonwoven geotextile are needlepunched tonite clay within the Bentofix® GCL in either the dry or through the layer of bentonite and incorporated into the hydrated state. As a result, a consistent bentonite content lower geotextile (either a woven or a nonwoven). This is preserved throughout the composite, in turn resulting in process results in a strong mechanical bond between the a consistent low permeability. fabrics. A proprietary heat treating process—the Thermal Lock process — is then used to modify and more perma- GREATER INSTALLATION DURABILITY nently lock the needlepunched fibers into place. During installation, the needlepunched fibers hold the ben- The sodium bentonite clay utilized in Bentofix®GCL is a tonite in place and prevent the GCL from separating. naturally occurring clay mineral that swells as liquid enters Bentofix®GCL is more durable over a wider range of instal- between its clay platelets. When hydrated under confine- lation conditions, and, because it is needlepunched, it can ment, the bentonite swells to form a low permeability clay greatly reduce the adverse effects of premature hydration layer with the equivalent hydraulic protection of several during installation. feet of compacted clay. Unique properties, including increased internal shear resistance and long term creep resistance, make Bentofix® GCL ideal for a wide range of containment lining applications. � �dt„ � 4 I �CoveApvataaas1er installed i 1 SUPERIOR GCL SLOPE PERFORMANCE 4 � With Bentofix' GCL, the clay component is no longer the limiting factor on side slopes. You can use Bentofix' GCL to replace compacted clay layers on steep side slopes and be assured of low permeability without sacrificing slope NEEDLEPUNCHING MAKES A DIFFERENCE stability. The inherent confining stress from the By needlepunching fibers through the sodium bentonite needlepunching also improves the hydraulic properties of clay layer, a completely uniform, reinforced GCL is pro- Bentofix'GCL under low confining stress applications. duced with shear strength, creep resistance, and stability advantages important to any application. HIGH SHEAR RESISTANCE Needlepunching reinforces the otherwise weak layer of sodium bentonite clay. Unreinforced bentonite is suscepti- ble to shear failure, even on gentle slopes. The Bentofix' GCL needlepunching process consistently reinforces the ry bentonite layer with thousands of high tenacity fibers that resist and transfer the shearing stresses into the encapsulating geotextiles. ' Continued-