GeoKonect
Containment design tools
free concept-stage calculators
GeoKonect design tools

Containment liner calculation tools.

Concept-stage engineering screening tools for containment liner systems. Inputs update automatically. Print the active tool to create a calculation record showing project details, selected inputs, outputs, assumptions and disclaimer.

Preferred workflow

1
Define the exposure.Wind, geometry, membrane properties and whether air can reasonably enter below the liner.
2
Check the mechanism first.Do not jump to ballast sizing until uplift and air equalisation are understood.
3
Size the response.Where the check indicates risk, assess ballast, line loads, anchor trenches or reduced exposure spacing.
Free, courtesy of Kontain

Working on a geobag dewatering project?

GeoKonect's containment liner calculators are provided free by Kontain Pty Ltd, a South Australian geosynthetic dewatering supply and technical advisory business led by geotechnical engineer Ben Lewis. If your project involves geobag dewatering — tailings, dredging, sludge lagoons or process water — Kontain can help with stacking configuration, fill-height design and project feasibility.

Open the free Geobag Design Tools → Get stacking & design advice Request a feasibility review
Kontain Pty Ltd · Geosynthetic dewatering supply & technical advisory · Adelaide, South Australia · Ben Lewis, M 0405 812 770 · ben.lewis@kontainsolutions.com · kontainsolutions.com

All outputs update automatically when inputs change.

Conceptual design aids — please read before use. These calculators give indicative results from simplified, published methods and the values you enter. They are not a substitute for project-specific design, the governing standards, or professional engineering judgement. See the full limitations & liability notice at the foot of the page.

Wind uplift, leak equalisation and ballast

This tool first decides whether ballast is indicated. Ballast response options only appear when the assessment triggers a ballast requirement.

Project details for report

These details are included in the printed calculation record.

1

Exposure and membrane behaviour

auto λ
duration factors
km/h
m
degrees
m
kg/m²
kN/m
%
-
2

Air entry assumptions for leak-informed case

Trigger threshold: the leak-informed case assumes ballast is indicated where the nominated defects can reach the strain threshold within 48 hours of continuous uplift exposure, equal to 2,880 minutes.
holes/ha
mm
Cd
3

Ballast response settings

Used only if ballast is triggered. These values do not decide whether ballast is needed. They only size the response once the wind and air-entry checks indicate that restraint is required.
kg/m³
m
kg/m

Before relying on this result

This result is a concept-stage wind uplift and ballast screen. Confirm wind basis, exposed condition, defect assumptions, restraint details and construction staging before adoption.

Current unit system: Metric

Conservative connected-air-pathway case

Assumes air can enter beneath the exposed liner immediately.
Assessment duration
Effective uplift pressure Pa
Calculated wind strain %
Strain FoS

Leak-informed nominated-defect case

Uses nominated defect frequency and diameter to check whether uplift can develop within 2,880 minutes.
Assessment duration used
Effective uplift pressure Pa
Calculated wind strain %
Airflow through nominated defects m³/min/ha
Time to strain threshold
Trigger threshold2,880 min

Ballast response sizing

Disclaimer: These calculations are provided for conceptual and educational use only. They are not a substitute for project-specific engineering design, wind-code assessment, CQA judgement, geosynthetic supplier review, or verification by a suitably qualified professional engineer. The user is responsible for checking all assumptions, units, standards, regulatory requirements and suitability for the specific project.

Method notes

Conservative case: use this where connected air pathways below the liner are credible, including edges, penetrations, vents, wrinkles, poor seals, open subgrade voids or construction-stage exposure.

Leak-informed case: use this only where air pathways are genuinely controlled and the nominated defect frequency and diameter are defensible. The case triggers ballast when the calculated time to reach the strain threshold is less than or equal to 2,880 minutes.

Ballast options: if ballast is triggered, the tool reports both the equivalent full cover load and intermittent line-load option. These are alternate response concepts and must be reviewed for constructability, puncture risk, local bearing, durability and CQA access.

Leakage checks

Select one leakage mechanism. The tool then shows only the relevant inputs and output for that mechanism.

Project details for report

These details are included in the printed calculation record.

Use one method at a time. Darcy checks intact low-permeability flow. Orifice leakage checks a defect with free discharge. Composite leakage checks a defect where the underlying low-permeability layer and contact condition restrict flow.
A

Darcy flow through intact barrier

m/s
m
mm
B

Free-flow orifice defect

mm²
holes/ha
m
C

Composite liner defect

mm²
holes/ha
m
m/s
mm

Screen

Before relying on this result

This result is a simplified leakage screen. Confirm the selected leakage mechanism, hydraulic head, contact condition, liner type, CQA assumptions and regulatory context before adoption.

Selected leakage result
LPHD
Reference value
Disclaimer: These leakage calculations are simplified screening calculations only. They should not be used as a sole basis for design without reviewing the applicable leakage mechanism, liner material, CQA standard, hydraulic head, contact condition, regulatory requirements, chemistry, settlement, wrinkles, ageing and field leakage monitoring assumptions.

Which leakage option should be used?

Darcy: use for an intact clay or GCL-style barrier where flow is governed by hydraulic conductivity and thickness. Do not use it to imply a geomembrane has no leakage if defects are credible.

Free-flow orifice: use when a hole can discharge freely into a drainage layer or porous medium. This is generally more severe than a well-contacted composite liner.

Composite liner defect: use when a geomembrane defect sits over a GCL or compacted clay liner. Better contact reduces leakage; wrinkles or poor contact increase leakage.

Geocomposite drainage

Screen the required flow capacity of a geonet or drainage geocomposite below a liner against the reduced allowable capacity.

Project details for report

These details are included in the printed calculation record.

How this check should be used

This module estimates the flow capacity required to transmit leakage within a drainage layer, then compares it with the selected product capacity after partial reduction factors. It is mainly relevant to leak detection layers, drainage layers below a primary geomembrane, and other liner systems where flow must remain below a limiting head.

A functioning drainage layer limits the hydraulic head on the secondary barrier. If the assigned allowable leak rate is too low or not realistic for long-term conditions, the drainage layer may run full and the leakage data can become misleading.

Design responsibility

This is a screening tool only. Final adoption requires project-specific transmissivity testing, normal stress selection, hydraulic gradient verification, reduction factor selection and review by a suitably qualified professional.

1

Required drainage demand

L/ha/day
m
m/m
2

Product capacity and reduction factors

m³/m.s
-
-
-
-
-

Before relying on this result

Confirm that the selected capacity and reduction factors reflect project normal stress, hydraulic gradient, boundary conditions, geotextile intrusion, creep and clogging risks. This output is not a certified design.

Required flow
m³/s/m
Allowable flow
m³/s/m
Combined RF
FS
Review prompts
  • If the check fails, increase geocomposite capacity, reduce drainage length, steepen the gradient where possible, reduce allowable leakage, or reassess reduction factors with better testing.
  • Do not use a data-sheet flow value without checking test gradient and normal stress.
  • Where leak detection is regulatory-critical, document the leakage basis and long-term clogging assumptions.
Disclaimer: Drainage calculations are conceptual screening calculations only. They do not replace project-specific transmissivity testing, reduction factor selection, regulatory review or professional engineering judgement.

Anchor trench and pull-out checks

Compare two preliminary anchorage approaches: wind-derived down-slope demand and trench/runout pull-out resistance.

Project details for report

These details are included in the printed calculation record.

What the two methods do

Method 1 — wind anchorage screen: estimates the down-slope restraint demand generated by wind action on an exposed geomembrane and converts that demand into an indicative backfilled trench area.

Method 2 — trench/runout pull-out screen: checks whether a selected trench and runout length has enough pull-out resistance to resist a liner tension demand. It uses active/passive soil pressure, trench weight and interface friction. It does not generate the wind demand by itself.

Use Method 1 to estimate the load. Use Method 2 to check whether a nominated trench/runout configuration can resist that load.

Design responsibility

These are preliminary screening methods. Final design should confirm trench geometry, passive resistance mobilisation, liner damage risk, soil strength, construction tolerance, drainage, saturation, interface shear testing and the design wind basis.

1

Method 1 — wind-derived anchor demand

km/h
duration table
minutes
m
degrees
degrees
kN/m³
-
2

Method 2 — trench/runout pull-out screen

auto
kN/m
m
m
degrees
degrees
degrees
m
kPa
-

Before relying on this result

Check trench geometry, passive resistance mobilisation, trench saturation, cover confinement, liner bend/detailing, construction tolerances, pull-out behaviour and whether temporary ballast or staged deployment would be more appropriate.

Method 1 — wind anchorage screen

Calculates wind-induced down-slope demand from gust speed, slope length and interface angle, then converts the demand to an indicative trench area using backfill unit weight.

Method 2 — trench/runout pull-out screen

Checks whether the selected trench and runout can resist the applied liner tension using passive/active soil resistance, trench weight and interface friction. It is a resistance check, not a wind-generation model.

Wind demand
kN/m
Wind method area
m²/m
Pull-out FS
Required runout
m

Method 1 result

Wind reduction factor
Factored wind speed km/h
Demand including FoS kN/m
Corrected trench area m²/m
Equivalent square dimension m × m
This method is intentionally conservative where the liner system can leak or where connected air pathways exist. If the area becomes very large, reduce exposed length or introduce intermediate restraint before assuming an impractical trench.

Method 2 result

Demand used kN/m
Trench resistance kN/m
Runout resistance available kN/m
Total resistance kN/m
Pull-out factor of safety
This screen assumes the required resistance can actually be mobilised by the soil and interface. It should be checked against detailed trench geometry, soil compaction, saturation and liner damage risk.
Review prompts
  • If Method 1 gives a large trench area, check whether the original unit basis is correct. Demand should be in kN/m and backfill unit weight in kN/m³.
  • For wind restraint, reducing exposed length or adding intermittent line ballast can be more practical than increasing trench size.
  • For pull-out resistance, the available runout, interface friction and passive soil resistance must be project-specific. Do not rely on generic values for final design.
Disclaimer: Anchor trench and pull-out calculations are preliminary screening estimates only. They do not replace detailed pull-out analysis, soil strength assessment, constructability review, geometry design, edge restraint detailing, interface shear testing or project-specific wind and stability design.

Soil veneer stability

Screen cover-soil stability above a geomembrane, GCL or other low-friction interface.

Project details for report

These details are included in the printed calculation record.

When this check matters

Soil veneer stability checks should be carried out for any liner system covered temporarily or permanently with soil. This includes landfill caps, covered GCLs, water storages, tailings facilities and embankments where a low-friction interface may control stability.

The current screen reports gravity and optional seismic cases. Seepage inputs are included so rapid drawdown and cover-soil drainage can be documented for review.

Design responsibility

Final veneer design requires project-specific interface shear testing, pore pressure assessment, construction sequencing and review by a suitably qualified professional. Construction loading and dozer operation can govern short-term stability.

1

Risk classification

risk
duration
2

Cover and interface properties

kN/m³
m
m
degrees
degrees
kPa
degrees
kPa
3

Seepage and seismic flags

Typical screening inputs: use Cs = 0 where seismic loading is not being assessed. For preliminary sensitivity checks, 0.05–0.15 g is a common screening range, but final values must come from the project seismic basis. Use Hw = 0 and hw = 0 for drained/no seepage conditions. If perched water, rapid drawdown or parallel seepage is possible, test a range up to the cover thickness and obtain project-specific pore pressure advice.
g
m
m
kN/m³
kN/m³
kN/m³

Before relying on this result

Confirm interface shear strength, cover placement method, temporary construction loads, pore pressures, drainage, seismic requirements and consequences of veneer movement. This output is not a certified slope design.

Risk class
Required FS
Gravity FS
Seismic FS
Design prompts from the source method
  • If unstable, consider reducing slope angle, increasing cover thickness, reducing slope length or improving cover-soil/interface friction.
  • Veneer stability can be improved through berm buttressing, tapered cover from crest to base or veneer reinforcement.
  • Dozer tracking uphill has limited effect compared with tracking and accelerating downhill. Downhill acceleration and sudden deceleration on slopes should be avoided.
  • Additional liner profile layers can unintentionally change veneer stability. Do not assume all added layers are neutral.
Disclaimer: Veneer stability calculations are conceptual screening estimates only. Final design requires project-specific interface shear testing, pore pressure assessment, construction sequencing, cover placement checks and qualified engineering review.

Wrinkle stress (HDPE)

Screen the bending stress and strain induced by locked-in geomembrane wrinkles, and estimate likely wrinkle height from temperature.

Project details for report

These details are included in the printed calculation record.

When this check matters

Exposed HDPE geomembranes expand in the sun and form waves or wrinkles. When the liner is then covered with soil or filled with water, those wrinkles are locked in. The sharp curvature at the crest of a wrinkle bends the sheet and induces a local bending stress (and outer-fibre strain) that can drive slow crack growth (stress cracking) over the service life.

This screen offers three complementary checks: a curvature / bending-stress method (compared against an SCR- and factor-of-safety-adjusted allowable stress), a strain-based method after Scheirs (compared against the 30% of yield NCTL stress-cracking limit), and a simple estimate of likely wrinkle height from a temperature rise where field measurements are not yet available. Each is reported for the unloaded (installation) and water-loaded (in-service) cases.

Design responsibility

Wrinkle geometry should be confirmed by survey or CQA observation, not assumed. Material properties (modulus, yield strength, stress-crack resistance and NCTL behaviour) must come from the manufacturer’s datasheet or project testing for the actual resin and texture. These are screening estimates only and do not replace project-specific durability assessment or review by a suitably qualified engineer.

1

Method 1 — Curvature & bending stress

m
m
mm
MPa
m
N/mm
hours
2

Method 2 — Scheirs strain / NCTL

m
m
%
N/mm
mm
m
3

Method 3 — Wrinkle height from temperature

°C⁻¹
°C
MPa
mm
kg/m³
m/s²
degrees

Before relying on this result

Confirm the measured wrinkle geometry, the actual resin modulus, yield and SCR/NCTL behaviour, the load case, and the consequences of crack initiation. The curvature and strain methods are simplified single-wrinkle idealisations and do not capture multi-axial effects, welds, scratches or long-term modulus relaxation. This output is not a certified durability assessment.

Bending stress – no load (MPa)
Bending stress – with load (MPa)
Allowable stress (MPa)
Governing utilisation
Scheirs strain – with load (%)
Stress vs yield – NCTL (%)
SCR correction factor
Est. wrinkle height – ΔT (mm)

Method-by-method outcome

1 · Curvature & bending stress

No load:

With load:

2 · Scheirs strain / NCTL

No load:

With load:

3 · Wrinkle height from ΔT

Design prompts from the source method
  • Where a wrinkle is too steep (amplitude > wavelength) or stresses are high, place cover or fill in cool conditions so wrinkles contract before being locked in.
  • Lower modulus, thinner sheet, smaller amplitude and longer wavelength all reduce the induced bending stress and strain.
  • The 30% of yield NCTL threshold is a stress-cracking screening limit — keep the induced stress well below it for long-term exposed or covered service.
  • Overburden reduces the effective wrinkle amplitude in this model; the unloaded installation case is usually the more onerous bending check.
Disclaimer: Wrinkle-stress results are conceptual screening estimates only, based on simplified single-wrinkle idealisations and the values entered. They are not a certified durability or stress-cracking assessment. Confirm wrinkle geometry, material properties and load cases, and have any design reviewed by a suitably qualified engineer.

⚠ Important — limitations & liability (please read before use)

Important — limitations & liability