Significance8212; The increased use of geomembranes as barrier materials to restrict fluid migration from one location to another in various applications and the various types of seaming methods used in joining geomembrane sheets has created a need to standardize tests by which the various seams can be compared and the quality of the seam systems can be evaluated. This test method is intended to meet such a need.

Use8212;Accelerated seam test provides information as to the status of the field seam. Data obtained by this test method should be used with site-specific contract plans specification and CQC/CQA documents. This test method is useful for specification testing and for comparative purposes but does not necessarily measure the ultimate strength that the seam may acquire.

1.1 This test method covers an accelerated destructive test method for geomembranes in a geotechnical application.

1.2 This test is applicable to field fabricated geomembranes that are scrim reinforced or non reinforced.

1.3 This test method is applicable for field seaming processes that use a chemical fusion agent or bodied chemical fusion agent as the seaming mechanism.

1.4 Subsequent decisions as to seam acceptance criteria are made according to the site-specific contract plans specification and CQC/CQA documents.

1.5 The values stated in both inch-pound and SI units are to be regarded separately as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.

1.6 Hazardous Materials8212;Always consult the proper Material Safety Data Sheets for any Hazardous materials used for proper ventilation and protection. The use of the oven in this test method may accelerate fume production from the test specimen.

1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns if any associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicable of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.1 This practice describes the nondestructive testing of field seams in geomembranes using the spark test. A suspect area is indicated by the generation of a spark. The test is applicable to seams made by the extrusion method seams made by using welding tape (a strip of the same type of material as the geomembrane that is welded over adjacent sections of geomembrane to create a seam) or seams where it is practical to insert a conductive material in the seam just prior to or during fabrication.

1.2 The spark test may produce an electrical spark and therefore can only be used where an electrical spark would not create a hazard.

1.3 Unless the voltages and distances prescribed are carefully adhered to a "false positive" indication may result. This false positive occurs when the arc distance is too large for the voltage applied at the time and conditions of testing.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns if any associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

This practice covers test arrangements measurement techniques sampling methods and calculations to be used for nondestructive evaluation of geomembranes using ultrasonic testing.

Wave velocity may be established for particular geomembranes (for specific polymer type specific formulation specific density). Relationships may be established between velocity and both density and tensile properties of geomembranes. An example of the use of ultrasound for determining density of polyethylene is presented in Test Method D 4883. Velocity measurements may be used to determine thickness of geomembranes (1 2). Travel time and amplitude of transmitted waves may be used to assess the condition of geomembranes and to identify defects in geomembranes including surface defects (for example scratches cuts) inner defects (for example discontinuities within geomembranes) and defects that penetrate the entire thickness of geomembranes (for example pinholes) (3 4). Bonding between geomembrane sheets can be evaluated using travel time velocity or impedance measurements for seam assessment (5-10). Examples of the use of ultrasonic testing for determining the integrity of field and factory seams through travel time and velocity measurements (resulting in thickness measurements) are presented in Practices D 4437 and D 4545 respectively. An ultrasonic testing device is routinely used for evaluating seams in prefabricated bituminous geomembranes in the field (11). Integrity of geomembranes may be monitored in time using ultrasonic measurements.

Note 18212;Differences may exist between ultrasonic measurements and measurements made using other methods due to differences in test conditions such as pressure applied and probe dimensions. An example is ultrasonic and mechanical thickness measurements.

The method is applicable to testing both in the laboratory and in the field for parent material and seams. The test durations are very short as wave transmission through geomembranes occurs within microseconds.

1.1 This practice provides a summary of equipment and procedures for ultrasonic testing of geomembranes using the pulse echo method.

1.2 Ultrasonic wave propagation in solid materials is correlated to physical and mechanical properties and condition of the materials. In ultrasonic testing two wave propagation characteristics are commonly determined: velocity (based on wave travel time measurements) and attenuation (based on wave amplitude measurements). Velocity of wave propagation is used to determine thickness density and elastic properties of materials. Attenuation of waves in solid materials is used to determine microstructural properties of the materials. In addition frequency characteristics of waves are analyzed to investigate the properties of a test material. Travel time amplitude and frequency distribution measurements are used to assess the condition of materials to identify damage and defects in solid materials. Ultrasonic measurements are used to determine the nature of materials/media in contact with a test specimen as well. Measurements are conducted in the time-domain (time versus amplitude) or frequency-domain (frequency versus amplitude).

1.3 Measurements of one or more ultrasonic wave transmission characteristics are made based on the requirements of the specific testing program.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns if any associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

Geomembranes are used as impermeable barriers to prevent liquids from leaking from landfills ponds and other containments. The liquids may contain contaminants that if released can cause damage to the environment. Leaking liquids can erode the subgrade causing further damage. Leakage can result in product loss or otherwise prevent the installation from performing its intended containment purpose. For these reasons it is desirable that the geomembrane have as little leakage as practical.

Geomembrane leaks can be caused by poor quality of the subgrade poor quality of the material placed on the geomembrane accidents poor workmanship and carelessness.

The most significant causes of leaks in geomembranes that are covered with only water are related to construction activities including pumps and equipment placed on the geomembrane accidental punctures and punctures caused by traffic over rocks or debris on the geomembrane or in the subgrade.

The most significant cause of leaks in geomembranes covered with earth materials is construction damage caused by machinery that occurs while placing the earth material on the geomembrane. Such damage also can breach additional layers of the lining system such as geosynthetic clay liners.

Electrical leak location methods are an effective final quality assurance measure to locate previously undetected or missed leaks.

1.1 These practices describe standard procedures for using electrical methods to locate leaks in geomembranes covered with water or earth materials containing moisture.

1.2 These practices are intended to ensure that leak location surveys are performed with demonstrated leak detection capability. To allow further innovations and because various leak location practitioners use a wide variety of procedures and equipment to perform these surveys performance-based operations are used that specify the minimum leak detection performance for the equipment and procedures.

1.3 These practices require that the leak location equipment procedures and survey parameters used are demonstrated to result in an established minimum leak detection sensitivity. The survey shall then be conducted using the demonstrated equipment procedures and survey parameters.

1.4 Separate procedures are given for leak location surveys for geomembranes covered with water and for geomembranes covered with earth materials. Separate procedures are given for leak detection sensitivity tests using actual and artificial leaks.

1.5 Leak location surveys can be used on geomembranes installed in basins ponds tanks ore and waste pads landfill cells landfill caps and other containment facilities. The procedures are applicable for geomembranes made of materials such as polyethylene polypropylene polyvinyl chloride chlorosulfonated polyethylene bituminous material and other electrically-insulating materials.

1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.7 Warningx2014;The electrical methods used for geomembrane leak location could use high voltages resulting in the potential for electrical shock or electrocution. This hazard might be increased because operations might be conducted in or near water. In particular a high voltage could exist between the water or earth material and earth ground or any grounded conductor. These procedures are potentially VERY DANGEROUS and can result in personal injury or death. The electrical methods used for geomembrane leak location should be attempted only by qualified and experienced personnel. Appropriate safety measures must be taken to protect the leak location operators as well as other people at the site.

1.8 This standa......

This standard provides guidance to obtain data that is the most representative of the materialx2019;s characteristics and performance. To properly evaluate EPDM tests should be performed in accordance with specific test methods and procedures.

1.1 This guide covers and provides recommendations for the selection of appropriate test methods for Ethylene Propylene Diene Terpolymer (EPDM) geomembranes used in geotechnical and geoenvironmental applications.

1.2 This guide includes test methods for three different types of EPDM geomembranes including; scrim-reinforced membranes composite membranes and smooth non-reinforced membranes.

1.3 The test methods are divided into three categories including manufacturing quality control optional performance tests and seam testing.

1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for information purposes only.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems if any associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

The use of this apparatus is intended to induce property changes associated with the end use conditions including the effects of the UV portion of sunlight moisture and heat. Exposures are not intended to simulate the deterioration caused by localized weather phenomena such as atmospheric pollution biological attack and saltwater exposure.

Note 38212;Refer to Practice G 151 for cautionary guidance applicable to laboratory weathering devices.

Variation in results may be expected when operating conditions are varied within the accepted limits of this method.

Test data for one thickness of a geomembrane can not be used as data for other thickness geomembranes made with the same formula (polymer pigment and stabilizers) since the degradation is thickness related.

Note 48212;It is recommended that a similar material of known performance (a control) be exposed simultaneously with the test material to provide a standard for comparative purposes. When control material is used in the test program it is recommended only one coupon be used for each UV exposure period to allow for OIT testing.

1.1 This standard covers the specific procedures and test conditions that are applicable for exposure of unreinforced polyolefin geomembranes to fluorescent UV radiation and condensation.

Polyolefin geomembranes include high density polyethylene (HDPE) linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) flexible polyproplyene (fPP) etc.

1.2 Test specimens are exposed to fluorescent UVA 340 lamps under controlled environmental conditions. UVA 340 lamps are standard for this method.

Other types of fluorescent UV lamps such as UVB-313 can also be used based upon discussion between involved parties. However if the test is ran with another type of fluorescent UV lamps such as UVB-313 this should be considered as a deviation from the standard and clearly stated in the test report. UVB-313 and UVA-340 fluorescent lamps generate different amount of radiant power in different wavelength ranges; thus the photochemical effects caused by these different lamps may vary.

1.3 This method covers the conditions under which the exposure is to be performed and the test methods for evaluating the effects of fluorescent UV heat and moisture in the form of condensation on geomembranes. General guidance is given in Practices G 151 and G 154.

1.4 The values listed in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.

This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns if any associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

The asperity height is an index property used to quantify one of the physical attributes related to the surface roughness of textured geomembranes.

This test method is applicable to all currently available textured geomembranes that are deployed as manufactured geomembrane sheets.

1.1 This test method covers a procedure to measure the asperity height of textured geomembranes.

1.2 This test method does not provide for measurement of the spacing between the asperities nor of the complete profile of the textured surface.

1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns if any associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

Since tear resistance may be affected to a large degree by mechanical fibering of the membrane under stress as well as by stress distribution strain rate and size of specimen the results obtained in a tear resistance test can only be regarded as a measure of the resistance under the conditions of that particular test and not necessarily as having any direct relation to service value. This test method measures the force required to tear a reinforced geomembrane along a reasonably defined course such as that the tear propagates across the width of the specimen. The values may vary between types of reinforcement used within a geomembrane.

The tongue tear method is useful for estimating the relative tear resistance of different reinforcing textiles or different directions in the same reinforcing textiles.

Disputes8212;In case of a dispute arising from differences in reported test results when using this test method for acceptance testing of commercial shipments the purchaser and the supplier should conduct comparative tests to determine if there is a statistical difference between their laboratories.

1.1 This test method covers a uniform procedure for determining the tear strength of flexible geomembranes internally reinforced with a textile using the tongue tear method.

1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The inch-pound units given in parentheses are for information only.

1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns if any associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

Bituminous geomembranes whether made from oxidized or polymer-modified bitumen may contain a significant amount of mineral stabilizer. The amount of mineral stabilizer used in a bituminous geomembrane has an effect on several physical properties including but not limited to cold temperature flexibility and asphalt penetration (see Guide D 6455 for a list of BGM properites).

1.1 This test method covers the procedure for the determination of mineral stabilizer content in prefabricated bituminous geomembranes (BGM) by calcination.

1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.

This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns if any associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.