Abstract:The paper presents a research on the internal shear strength of a type of needle-punched GCL and the influencing factors on the basis of the laboratory direct shear test, the direct shear apparatus is modified to meet the research requirements. Experimental results show that: the internal shear strength of GCL is controlled by the needle-punched fiber, other elements have minor influence on the internal shear strength; normal stress and hydration liquid both have impacts on GCL’s internal shear strength. Shear strength increases with the increasing of normal stress, and the strength reaches the largest value when GCL is hydrated by de-ioned, distilled water; in practice, GCLs should be pre-hydrated with tap water before being loaded, this measure can increase the stability of barrier systems.
