Analytical Model for Contaminant Transport in the CGCW and Aquifer Dual-Domain System Considering GMB Holes

Composite geomembrane cut-off walls (CGCW) have been widely used for the remediation of polluted sites, especially where the environmental conditions are complex. Accurate predictions of the GMB hole leakage and CGCW performance are essential for engineering design and cost control. This paper establishes empirical equations to predict the leakages through the CGCWs based on the numerical models. Additionally, an analytical solution for contaminant migration through the CGCW is proposed considering the effects of GMB holes. The accuracy of the established equations and analytical solution is verified by the numerical models. The key effects of the GMB thickness (TG), head loss (HG), cut-off wall hydraulic conductivity (kG), hole radius (rG) and shape on the leakage and CGCW performance are investigated. The results show that compared with other hole shapes, the leakage through the circular hole is lowest. This is mainly because the shape factor for the circular hole is 1.15–1.3 times lower than that for other shapes of holes with the same area. Additionally, the effects of the hole geometric properties and head loss on the CGCW performance can be more significant when the cut-off wall hydraulic coefficient is small. For example, the breakthrough time differences between the cases with rG = 0.005 m and 0.05 m are 0.8 and 5.0 years when kG = 10−10 and 10−9 m/s, respectively. This is because the impermeability of the CGCW is good when kG is small. This will weaken the impacts of the hole geometric properties on the leakage. The proposed empirical equations and analytical solution can provide effective suggestions for the design of the CGCW in different GMB hole cases.