Flow in an idealized geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) containing bentonite comprised of equisized and equispaced square granules was simulated using a hydrodynamic model to quantitatively evaluate the premise that the hydraulic conductivity of GCLs diminishes as the bentonite granules hydrate and swell into adjacent intergranular pores, creating smaller and tortuous intergranular flow paths. Predictions with the model indicate that hydraulic conductivity decreases as granules swell and intergranular pores become smaller, and that greater granule swelling during hydration is required to achieve low hydraulic conductivity when the bentonite is comprised of larger granules, or the bentonite density is lower (lower bentonite mass per unit area). Predictions made with the model indicate that intergranular pores become extremely small (<1 μm) as the hydraulic conductivity approaches 10⁻¹¹ m/s. These outcomes are consistent with experimental data showing that GCLs are more permeable when hydrated and permeated with solutions that suppress swelling of the bentonite granules, and that the hydraulic conductivity of GCLs with bentonite having smaller intergranular pores (e.g., GCLs with smaller bentonite granules, more broadly graded particles, or higher bentonite density) is less sensitive to solutions that suppress swelling.

使用流体动力学模型模拟含有由等尺寸和等间距方形颗粒组成的膨润土的理想土工合成粘土衬垫（GCL）中的流动，以定量评估以下前提：当膨润土颗粒水合并膨胀到相邻的粒间孔隙中时，GCL 的水力传导率会降低，从而形成更小且曲折的粒间流动路径。模型预测表明，随着颗粒膨胀和粒间孔隙变小，导水率降低，并且当膨润土由较大颗粒组成或膨润土密度较低（单位面积膨润土质量较低）时，水合过程中需要更大的颗粒膨胀才能实现较低的导水率。使用模型进行的预测表明，当导水率接近 10 ^{-11时，粒间孔隙变得极小（<1 μm）} 多发性硬化症。这些结果与实验数据一致，表明GCL在水合和被抑制膨润土颗粒膨胀的溶液渗透时具有更高的渗透性，并且具有较小粒间孔的膨润土的GCL（例如，具有较小膨润土颗粒、更宽级配颗粒或更高膨润土密度的GCL）的水力传导率对抑制膨胀的溶液不太敏感。