The hydraulically connected wrinkle length is a crucial parameter for evaluating leakage through composite liner. Rare objective and efficient hydraulic connectivity analysis method for wrinkle network exists. Based on the simplification of head distribution around a hole

search length is proposed as the criterion to determine the connectivity between wrinkles. A digitized hydraulic connectivity analysis method for wrinkle network is proposed by simplifying wrinkles into line segments. The proposed method has been programed and applied to both wrinkle networks reported in the literature and a GM/GCL liner in a good condition. The results indicate that the definition of search length gives an objective criterion for determine the hydraulic connectivity between wrinkles and can reflect the influence of different parameters of the liner (e.g.

hydraulic head

interface transmissivity

hydraulic conductivity

etc.) on the hydraulic connectivity between wrinkles. The location and dimension of a wrinkle are easier described by simplifying wrinkles into line segments. The application of the proposed method is simple and efficient. The results of leakage evaluation based on hydraulic connectivity analysis are conservative. In the process of leakage calculation

the determination of hydraulically connected wrinkle length is dependent on the hole frequency when a unified hydraulically connected wrinkle is used to describe the wrinkle network. The proposed method has a promising application future of acting as a key link of completely digitized leakage evaluation.