Soil-like material and method of making a barrier for containing waste

A method of making an impermeable barrier, the method comprising:

• applying a plurality of loose lifts of a soil-like material to a base foundation, wherein the soil-like material comprises
• about 20 wt % to about 50 wt % aggregate having AASHTO standard size number from 4 to 10;
• about 20 wt % to about 50 wt % particulates;
• and
• about 20 wt % to about 40 wt % of a composite particle, the composite particle having a hard core coated with a hydratable coating layer of swellable clay;
• and
• adding moisture to each loose lift sufficient to achieve a moisture content within 5% of an optimum moisture content of the soil-like material as determined by the Standard Proctor Test of ASTM D698 while compacting each loose lift with vibratory-assisted compaction to within about 95% of its maximum dry density according to the Standard Proctor Test of ASTM D698-12, prior to applying the subsequent loose lift;
• wherein the soil-like material is a homogeneous blend of the aggregate, particulates, and composite particles.

A man-made, soil-like material, comprising:

• about 20 wt % to about 50 wt % aggregate having AASHTO standard size number from 4 to 10;
• about 20 wt % to about 50 wt % particulates;
• about 20 wt % to about 40 wt % of a composite particle, the composite particle having a hard core coated with a hydratable coating layer of swellable clay;
• and
• moisture sufficient to achieve a moisture content within 5% of an optimum moisture content of the soil-like material as determined by the Standard Proctor Test of ASTM D698;
• wherein the soil-like material is a homogeneous blend of the aggregate, particulates, and composite particles.

A method of making a barrier, the method comprising:

• applying a plurality of loose lifts of a soil-like material to a base foundation,
• wherein the soil-like material comprises
• about 20 wt % to about 50 wt % aggregate having AASHTO standard size number from 4 to 10;
• about 20 wt % to about 50 wt % particulates;
• and
• about 20 wt % to about 40 wt % of a composite particle, the composite particle having a hard core coated with a hydratable coating layer of swellable clay;
• adding moisture to each loose lift sufficient to achieve a moisture content within 5% of an optimum moisture content of the soil-like material as determined by the Standard Proctor Test of ASTM D698;
• and
• compacting each loose lift with vibratory-assisted compaction to within about 95% of its maximum dry density according to the Standard Proctor Test of ASTM D698-12, prior to applying the subsequent loose lift;
• wherein the soil-like material is a homogeneous blend of the aggregate, particulates, and composite particles.