Liquid flow through composite liners due to geomembrane defects: Analytical solutions for axi-symmetric and two-dimensional problems

A general framework for calculating the rate of liquid now through a compos ite liner (geomembrane plus soil liner) with holes is presented. Solutions given for a circular hole and a damaged wrinkle can be used for interpretin g data from laboratory tests, modelling expected field conditions, and inte rpreting field leakage data. A number of existing solutions arise from the general solution as special cases. Finally, the paper is extended to consid er the potential interaction between damaged wrinkles, and it is theoretica lly shown that while this may be an important issue for composite liners in corporating a compacted clay liner, it is far less likely to be significant for those incorporating a geosynthetic clay liner.