Abstract A modified osmotic suction control technique for monitoring apparent transient weight changes was successfully adapted to the wetting and drying paths of geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs). Reasonable control was possible, enabling suction equilibrium to be achieved without disruption to the test. The results provide unique insight into the time-dependent changes in water retention properties and the semi-permeable membrane behaviour of the bentonite component in GCLs. The stages of suction equilibrium, related to the tri-modal pore structure of GCLs and the point of capillary break, could also be monitored. While the osmotic method has been traditionally used to control matric suction (up to 10 MPa) in soils, the overall results presented in this paper indicate that its application for total suction control in GCLs is largely due to the membrane behaviour of their bentonite component. Furthermore, because of capillary break between the GCL and the osmotic solution at the water entry (or residual) suction value of a GCL, an upper limit of 2.8 MPa suction is recommended for the application of the osmotic method to measure the water retention properties of GCLs.

中文翻译：

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一种用于 GCL 渗透吸力控制的新型瞬态重力监测技术

摘要 一种用于监测表观瞬时重量变化的改进渗透吸力控制技术成功地适用于土工合成粘土衬垫 (GCL) 的润湿和干燥路径。合理控制是可能的，能够在不中断测试的情况下实现吸力平衡。结果提供了对 GCL 中膨润土组分的保水性能随时间变化和半透膜行为的独特见解。还可以监测与 GCL 的三峰孔结构和毛细管破裂点相关的吸力平衡阶段。虽然渗透方法传统上用于控制土壤中的基质吸力（高达 10 兆帕），本文提出的总体结果表明，它在 GCL 中总吸力控制的应用主要是由于其膨润土组分的膜行为。此外，由于在 GCL 的进水（或残留）吸力值处 GCL 和渗透溶液之间的毛细管断裂，建议使用 2.8 MPa 吸力上限用于渗透法测量水的保水性能。 GCL。