Water Diffusion and Resaturation in Unsaturated Compacted Bentonite

불포화 압축 벤토나이트에서의 수확산 및 재포화

Experimental studies were carried out to investigate water diffusion in unsaturated compacted bentonite for a landfill of hazardous wastes. Water content distributions were measured and water diffusion coefficients were determined when the dry densities of compacted bentonite were in the range of 1.4 - 1.8 g/㎤. Resaturation times were also calculated to analyze the ability of the compacted bentonite to retard water movement. The results obtained were as follows: Diffusion model described properly the water migration in unsaturated compacted bentonite. Water diffusion coefficients ranged from 4.30$\times$10$^{-6}$ $\textrm{cm}^2$/sec to 1.93$\times$10$^{-6}$ $\textrm{cm}^2$/sec, and decreased with increasing the dry density. The dry density of compacted bentonite was found to be an important factor to control the resaturation time by water. This study suggests that the domestic compacted bentonite should be a good barrier material against water movement in a landfill of hazardous wastes.