Efficiency of Sand Clay Liners in Controlling Subsurface Water Flow

In arid and semi-arid regions it is quite often to encounter granular soils of high hydraulic conductivity. Loss of irrigation water occurs due to seepage as well as evaporation. Excess water resulting from irrigation of green yards in Eastern province of Saudi Arabia was found to seep down into ground or flow towards uncontrolled directions. Sand clay liners reinforced with geotextile materials can be designed to act as a smart barrier and used to harvest excess irrigation water. Engineering properties and hydraulic conductivity of the sand clay liners were investigated. The conditions for yielding optimum output were introduced based on the outcome of laboratory test results carried out for mixtures of Al Qatif clay material and fine dune sand. The study presents a framework for landscape designers to benefit from the idea and select the appropriate proportions that suit the intended liners. The collected water can be examined and used again in irrigation.