The aim of this study was to estimate volume change and hydraulic conductivity and to collect suction datafor UKM (University Kebangsaan Malaysia) soil - bentonite mixture. This mixture is proposed as a barriermaterial in waste containment systems. Tests were performed on UKM soil mixed with different bentonitecontents (0%, 5%, 10% and 20%). It was found that with the addition of bentonite, both shrinkage andswelling strains increased. Insignificant cracks appeared at 0% and 5% bentonite content. However,significant cracks appeared in UKM soil after mixing with 10% and 20% bentonite contents. The results alsoshowed that bentonite decreases the hydraulic conductivity of UKM soil significantly. The results from testedsamples after 1 to 4 drying cycles showed that the largest rise in soil hydraulic conductivity occurred at firstor second drying. Soil water characteristic curves (SWCC) were developed for compacted soil samples (withand without bentonite) using pressure membrane apparatus. The relative locations of SWCC plots werehigher for the soil samples mixed with bentonite.