What system is used to classify natural liners?

The Unified Soil Classification System (USCS) is widely recognized for its effectiveness in classifying soils, including natural liners, based on their physical properties. This system categorizes soil based on grain size distribution and plasticity characteristics, making it especially useful in civil engineering and geotechnical applications, such as landfill operations.

Natural liners, often clay-rich soils used to contain waste and prevent leachate from contaminating groundwater, are evaluated using this system because it helps determine their suitability and engineering behavior. The USCS provides a standardized method to describe soil types, which is essential when assessing the performance of these natural barriers in landfill applications. For example, the system differentiates between coarse-grained and fine-grained soils, and it classifies fine-grained soils further based on their plasticity, which is directly relevant to the protective capabilities of natural liners in landfills.

The other options do not serve the same specific function as the USCS. While the Geotechnical Classification System may sound relevant, it is not universally acknowledged to classify natural liners in the same comprehensive way as USCS. Environmental Impact Assessments focus on the broader implications of projects and do not delve deeply into soil classification. The Soil Quality Index pertains to the health and quality of soil,