Centrifuge modelling of contaminant transport through soils

Indiscriminate land disposal of hazardous chemicals and industrial wastes, in the due course of time, causes contamination of the ground water regime as well as the subsurface soil layers. Various complex geo-chemical processes and mechanisms control the transport of these contaminants when they come in contact with the soil-water system.The transport of contaminants is often predicted with the help of mathematical models dealing with a set of governing equations, which are solved using either analytical or numerical methods. However, input parameters for these models can be obtained by conducting either controlled field experiments or laboratory column tests. To overcome the limitations associated with the laboratory and field scale experiments, geotechnical centrifuge modelling has been adopted by researchers and engineers. This book highlights such a research program conducted using a geotechnical centrifuge, and the instrumentation and the testing methodology adopted for monitoring contaminant transport through geotechnical centrifuge models. Also, it features, Finite Element modelling to valid the centrifuge test results. It may be a useful guide to an aspiring researcher.