The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of mine process solutions on the internal shear behavior of geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs). Displacement-controlled internal direct shear tests were performed on a needle-punched reinforced GCL hydrated with an acidic and an alkaline solution for hydration periods of 1, 6, and 10 months. A stiffer internal shear behavior was observed for internal shear tests on specimens hydrated with the acidic solution, whereas shear behavior of specimens hydrated in the alkaline solution was comparable to specimens hydrated in de-ionized water. Despite the differences in shear behavior, hydration with the acidic or alkaline solutions did not produce a noticeable impact on the peak or large-displacement shear strength of the GCL.
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