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The influence of subsoil height on the hydration of geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) was investigated in this study. For this purpose, subsoil gathered from Aydın municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill liner was compacted at 2% wet side of optimum water content in compaction molds with different thicknesses (H:5.9 cm, 11.6 cm, 17.4 cm). Then, a local GCL was hydrated over these compacted subsoils for 7 days to 62 days using flexible wall permeameters. After termination of hydration process, GCL was removed from the permeameter and the water content of GCL bentonite was determined. Regardless of the height of the subsoil, the final bentonite water contents increased from 53% to 72% as the hydration time was increased from 7 to 62 days. However, at any hydration duration, it is found out that the final bentonite water contents changed depending on the height of the subsoil. The water content distribution across the subsoil after hydration showed similar trends with each other. That is, the water contents of the layers in contact with the GCLs were less than the water contents of the rest of subsoil body. However, small deviations in the initial compaction water contents became larger through the bottom of the subsoil, indicating the influence of subsoil height on the bentonite water content, hence suction performance of GCL.