Overview
ISO 10769:2011 specifies a laboratory method to determine the water absorption of bentonite used in clay geosynthetic barriers (GBR‑C). The standard defines specimen preparation, apparatus, test procedure and reporting requirements to produce a reproducible index value for production control and quality assurance of bentonite‑containing geosynthetic liners. Water absorption reflects the specific surface area and surface activity of fine bentonite particles and is recorded over a 24‑hour test period.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope: Test method for water absorption of bentonite as part of clay geosynthetic barriers (GBR‑C).
- Specimen preparation
- Sieve to remove particles > 250 µm; grind and resieve oversized material.
- Dry passed material at (60 ± 3) °C to constant mass per ISO 11465; cool in a desiccator.
- Dry specimen mass ≈ 0.25 g; mass measured to 0.001 g resolution.
- Apparatus
- Modified water absorption device (based on Enslin/Neff), including glass top tube, glass filter plate (porosity P100 per ISO 4793), horizontal glass measurement tube set 50 mm below filter plate, funnel and glass stopper.
- Electronic balance with computer interface (resolution 0.001 g); optional second balance for control/calibration.
- Procedure
- Fill and deair the glass assembly with demineralised water; calibrate by weighing without a specimen for 24 h.
- Place specimen centrally on filter plate via funnel; start timing when first particles fall.
- Record absorbed water mass vs time by automatic balance for 24 h.
- Reporting
- Include ISO reference (ISO 10769:2011), sample ID, particle fraction mass