IAGI Installer Member

Geosynthetic Clay Liners (GCL)

Eurobent geosynthetic clay liners combine bentonite with geotextile layers to form a sealing barrier. Eurobent GCL CS adds a polymer membrane for composite waterproofing. Geosynthetics Africa offers material supply, pan-African delivery, installation and QA/QC support. The selected grade, documentation, delivery arrangements and installation scope are confirmed for each project.

Bentonite>75% montmorillonite
Mass range3500–6000 g/m²
Permeability≤ 5.0 × 10⁻¹¹ m/s
Swell index≥ 24 ml/2g

| About Geosynthetic Clay Liners (GCL)

Eurobent GCL is a composite of bentonite and woven and nonwoven geotextiles. Needle-punching draws fibres through the bentonite layer to connect the components. Bentonite swells on contact with water and provides the sealing function. The selected liner must be installed and protected in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidance and project specification.

Eurobent GCL CS incorporates an additional polymer membrane. The manufacturer offers membrane options including HDPE, LLDPE and PVC. Its published CS 0.2 (5000) specification describes bentonite fixed between two geotextile layers and bonded to a 0.2 mm PE membrane. Confirm the exact product configuration against the applicable manufacturer datasheet.

Geosynthetics Africa coordinates Eurobent GCL supply, delivery and installation for African projects. Send the required grade, quantities and destination so we can confirm stock, lead time, freight and the documentation available for the proposed material.

Our GCL installation scope can include subgrade acceptance, roll traceability, panel deployment, overlap inspection, anchorage, repairs and cover placement records. Installation and hydration controls follow the selected product guidance and approved project method statement.

Eurobent publishes product-specific technical data, CE documentation and installation guidance. Relevant applications include reservoirs, canals, landfill base and capping systems, and structural waterproofing. Select the grade and membrane configuration for the project requirements, and confirm the applicable declarations and test documentation for the product supplied.

| Common Applications and Engineering Use Cases

Landfill & Waste Containment

Containment for landfill cells, ash facilities and secondary-containment bunds. Select the exact product grade and installation detail through the approved project design.

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Tailings Liner Systems

Tailings basin containment, new cells, embankment interfaces and extensions. Select the exact product grade and installation detail through the approved project design.

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Heap Leach Barriers

Heap leach pad containment and solution collection. Select the exact product grade and installation detail through the approved project design.

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Designed Water-Storage Barriers

Water-storage lining for reservoirs, farm dams and process-water facilities. Select the exact product grade and installation detail through the approved project design.

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| Properties & Specifications

PropertyEB 3500EB 4000EB 4500EB 5000EB 6000
Net bentonite content3500 g/m24000 g/m24500 g/m25000 g/m26000 g/m2
Total GCL mass3800 g/m24300 g/m24800 g/m25300 g/m26300 g/m2
Thickness5.8mm6.6mm6.8mm7.4mm7.8mm
Permeability≤5.0x10-11 m/s≤5.0x10-11 m/s≤5.0x10-11 m/s≤5.0x10-11 m/s≤5.0x10-11 m/s
Tensile strength MD≥10.4 kN/m≥10.4 kN/m≥10.4 kN/m≥10.4 kN/m≥10.4 kN/m
Tensile strength CMD≥8.5 kN/m≥8.5 kN/m≥8.5 kN/m≥8.5 kN/m≥8.5 kN/m
Peel strength≥60 N/10cm≥60 N/10cm≥60 N/10cm≥60 N/10cm≥60 N/10cm
Swell index≥24 ml/2g≥24 ml/2g≥24 ml/2g≥24 ml/2g≥24 ml/2g
Montmorillonite≥75%≥75%≥75%≥75%≥75%
Roll width5.1m5.1m5.1m5.1m5.1m
Roll length40m40m40m40m35m
Roll area204m2204m2204m2204m2178.5m2

| Types of Geosynthetic Clay Liners (GCL)

Eurobent 3500 - 3500 g/m² Bentonite Grade

A 3500 g/m² net bentonite grade. Confirm the current manufacturer datasheet, hydraulic performance, roll dimensions and project suitability before ordering.

Eurobent 4000 - 4000 g/m² Bentonite Grade

A 4000 g/m² net bentonite grade for consideration in engineered lining systems. Grade selection depends on design requirements, liquid compatibility, confinement and installation conditions.

Eurobent 4500 - 4500 g/m² Bentonite Grade

A 4500 g/m² net bentonite grade. The appointed designer should confirm its suitability for the hydraulic head, interface stability, liquid chemistry and required service conditions.

Eurobent 5000 - 5000 g/m² Bentonite Grade

A 5000 g/m² net bentonite grade for engineered containment systems where specified. Request the applicable datasheet and quality documentation with your quotation. Warranty coverage is subject to the written terms for the supplied product.

Eurobent 6000 - 6000 g/m² Bentonite Grade

A 6000 g/m² net bentonite grade where the design calls for this bentonite content. Increased mass alone does not establish chemical compatibility or suitability for a particular containment duty.

Eurobent CS 0.2 (5000) - GCL with Bonded PE Membrane

A bentonite GCL with an additional bonded 0.2 mm PE membrane in the CS 0.2 (5000) configuration. The membrane adds a barrier component. Confirm hydraulic test results, membrane continuity, joint details and chemical compatibility against the current product datasheet and approved design.

| Benefits of using Geosynthetic Clay Liners (GCL)

Bentonite sealing under suitable hydration and confinement

Sodium bentonite swells when hydrated under suitable conditions and confinement. This can contribute to sealing small discontinuities; it does not remove the need to inspect and repair damage before cover placement. Follow the manufacturer-approved repair detail.

Factory-manufactured alternative to compacted clay where designed

GCL can reduce imported clay volumes and compaction operations in an approved lining design. Equivalence to a compacted clay layer depends on hydraulic performance, thickness, head and service conditions; there is no universal replacement thickness.

Project-specific stock, delivery and mobilisation planning

Supply and freight are coordinated for the project destination. Confirm the selected grade, stock position, manufacturing lead time, customs arrangements and delivery programme when requesting a proposal.

Product-specific datasheets, declarations and warranty terms

Request the current datasheet, applicable declaration of performance, quality records and written warranty terms for the selected Eurobent product. Certification scope, test methods and warranty conditions must be checked for that exact grade and configuration.

Material supply or documented supply and installation

Choose material supply or a defined supply-and-installation package. The agreed scope can include method statements, panel records, overlap and repair inspections, cover placement checks and handover documentation.

Bentonite grades selected against the project design

Compare the 3500-6000 g/m² bentonite grades and membrane-backed options against the design specification. Our team can coordinate product information for review by the appointed designer.

| Frequently Asked Questions about Geosynthetic Clay Liners (GCL)

What is a geosynthetic clay liner and how does it work?
A GCL is a manufactured hydraulic barrier incorporating bentonite and geosynthetic layers. Hydrated bentonite provides low hydraulic conductivity under suitable confinement. Performance depends on the selected product, liquid chemistry, hydraulic head and installation conditions.
Which Eurobent GCL grade should I specify for a tailings storage facility?
The appointed designer must select the GCL using hydraulic head, liquid compatibility, interface shear strength, confinement, durability and permit requirements. Bentonite mass alone is insufficient. Send the design specification and we can provide the relevant product information for review.
Does GCL self-heal if damaged during installation?
Hydrated bentonite can seal small discontinuities under suitable confinement. Inspect every damaged area and complete the manufacturer-approved repair before covering. Record repairs in the project QA/QC documentation.
What subgrade is required under Eurobent GCL?
Provide a firm, smooth and accepted formation without sharp protrusions, standing water or unsupported voids. Compaction, surface tolerances and any protection layer must follow the approved design and current manufacturer installation guidance.
What is the minimum overlap required between GCL panels?
Use the overlap dimensions, seam treatment and panel markings required by the selected Eurobent product and approved installation plan. Confirm end overlaps, slope seam locations and supplemental bentonite requirements before deployment. Record overlap inspections before covering.
Can GCL be installed in wet or rainy conditions?
Protect rolls and deployed panels from premature hydration and follow the manufacturer weather restrictions. Do not deploy into standing water. Plan deployment and cover placement together; refer exposed or hydrated areas to the project quality representative before proceeding.
What is the difference between standard Eurobent GCL and Eurobent CS with PE membrane?
Standard GCL relies on hydrated bentonite for its sealing function. Eurobent CS includes a bonded polymer membrane as an additional barrier component. The designer must review membrane and joint performance, liquid compatibility and hydration conditions for the proposed application.
Do you supply GCL with installation or supply only?
Both. Send your BOQ, design specification, site location and programme for a material-supply or supply-and-installation proposal. The quotation defines delivery, installation responsibilities, inspections, documentation and warranty terms.

| Specifications for Installing Geosynthetic Clay Liners (GCL)

Install to the current manufacturer instructions, approved drawings and project method statement. Agree inspection hold points before work starts and retain roll, panel, seam, repair and cover placement records.

1. Subgrade acceptance - Prepare the formation to the specified levels, compaction and surface tolerances. Remove sharp protrusions, standing water and unsupported areas. Obtain the required acceptance before deployment.

2. Handling and deployment - Store and lift rolls using the manufacturer-approved method. Check packaging, roll identity and orientation. Control deployment on slopes and protect the GCL from equipment damage and premature hydration.

3. Panels and overlaps - Follow the approved panel layout, overlap markings and product-specific seam treatment. Keep overlaps clean and correctly aligned. Inspect and record seams before covering.

4. Anchorage and details - Construct anchor trenches, penetrations and terminations to the approved drawings. Check dimensions, continuity and backfill before releasing the work for cover placement.

5. Cover and hydration - Place the specified cover promptly using the approved sequence, equipment limits and minimum protective thickness. Manage hydration and exposure according to the manufacturer guidance and project design.

6. Repairs and handover - Inspect the deployed liner and repair damage to an approved detail. Record roll numbers, panel locations, photographs and inspection acceptance. Include these records in the handover dossier.

| Benefits of Choosing Our Products

  • Bentonite sealing under suitable hydration and confinement
  • Factory-manufactured alternative to compacted clay where designed
  • Project-specific stock, delivery and mobilisation planning
  • Product-specific datasheets, declarations and warranty terms
  • Bentonite grades selected against the project design
  • Material supply or documented supply and installation

| Specsheets & Installation Guides

Download technical datasheets and step-by-step installation guides for Geosynthetic Clay Liners (GCL).

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