The main objective of this paper is to examine the influence of discrete and randomly distributed geofiber reinforcement on the integrity of clay-based landfill covers subjected to differential settlements in a geotechnical centrifuge. A series of centrifuge tests was performed on model clay-based landfill covers with and without geofiber reinforcement at 40 gravities. A hydraulic-based differential settlement simulator was used to induce continuous differential settlements with a distortion level up to 0.125. The type and moist-compacted conditions of the soil barrier and fiber content were held constant, and the thickness of the soil barrier and the fiber type are varied. The performance of the soil barrier with and without geofiber reinforcement having an overburden pressure equivalent to that of landfill covers was monitored by measuring water breakthrough at the onset of differential settlement. With an increase in the thickness of the geofiber-reinforced soil barrier, and with the provision of an overburden equivalent to that of landfill cover, the integrity of the geofiber-reinforced soil barrier was found to be retained, even after inducing a distortion level of 0.125. Analysis and interpretation of the test results indicate the significant potential for geofiber reinforcement to decrease and to retard soil crack potential in a discrete and randomly distributed soil barrier reinforced with geofibers, while retaining its hydraulic performance. © 2011 Thomas Telford Ltd.