Experiments were conducted to investigate how specimen preparation (crushing and
sieving) affects the swell index (SI) of bentonite-polymer (B–P) composites and the
relationship between SI and hydraulic conductivity of B–P GCLs. Seven B–P and one Na–B
GCLs were used in this study. Tests were conducted using DI water and synthetic municipal
solid waste incineration ash leachates. Specimens were prepared using the ASTM D5890
and two alternative methods prior to SI testing. For both Na–B and B–P composites,< 100 …