Iagi Ingles PDF

Guidelines for Installation of:
HDPE and LLDPE Geomembrane

Installation Specification
www.iagi.org
Revised November 1, 2015
HDPE and LLDPE Geomembrane

Installation Specification
International Association of Geosynthetic Installers

8457 N. Rampart Range Road, Unit 106, PMB #154
Roxborough, CO 80125 USA
Telephone: +1 (720) 353-4977 / Fax: +1 (612) 235-6484
Email:iagi@iagi.org
www.iagi.org
Date: November 1, 2015

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part 1 — General
1.01 Guideline Scope 4
1.02 References 4
1.03 Submittals 6
1.04 Quality Control 8
1.05 Delivery, Storage and Handling 9
1.06 Project Conditions 10
1.07 Material Warranty 10
1.08 Geomembrane Installation Warranty 10
1.09 Geomembrane Pre-Construction meeting 11
Part 2 — Products
2.01 Source Quality Control 12
2.02 Geomembrane 12
Part 3 — Execution
3.01 Subgrade Preparation 14
3.02 Geomembrane Placement 14
3.03 Seaming Procedures 16
3.04 Pipe and Structure Penetration Sealing System 17
3.05 Field Quality Control 18
3.06 Liner Acceptance 26
3.07 Anchor Trench 26
3.08 Disposal of Scrap Materials 27
Part 4 — Measurement and Payment

4.01 Measurement & Payment 27
Part 5 — GSI GM 13 Specification 27
Attachment A 29
The most recent version of this document can be found at: www.iagi.org
3 © International Association of Geosynthetic Installers 2015
HDPE and LLDPE Geomembrane Installation Specification
Part 1 — GENERAL
1.01 Guideline Scope

A.
This specification includes furnishing and installing HDPE and LLDPE geomembranes
with a formulated sheet density of 0.940 g/cc or greater associated with HDPE ge-
omembranes and a formulated sheet density of 0.939 or less for LLDPE geomem-
branes. Geomembranes with both smooth and textured surfaces are included.
1.02 References
A. American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM):
1. D 638, Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics.
2. D 4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics.
3. D 751, Standard Test Methods for Coated Fabrics.
4. D 792, Standard Test Methods for Density and Specific Gravity (Relative
Density) of Plastics by Displacement.
5. D 1004, Standard Test Method for Initial Tear Resistance of Plastic Film
and Sheeting.
6. D 1204, Standard Test Method for Linear Dimensional Changes of Non
Rigid Thermoplastic Sheeting or Film at Elevated Temperature.
7. D 1238, Standard Test Method for Flow Rates of Thermoplastics by Ex-
trusion Plastometer.
8. D 1505, Standard Test Method for Density of Plastics by Density-
Gradient Technique.
9. D 1603, Standard Test Method for Carbon Black in Olefin Plastics.
10. D 3895, Test Method for Oxidative Induction Time of Polyolefins by
Thermal Analysis.
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11. D 4218, Test Method for Determination of Carbon Black Content in Poly-
ethylene Compounds by the Muffle-Furnace Technique.
12. D4437 – 08, Standard Practice for Non-destructive Testing (NDT) for De-
termining the Integrity of Seams Used in Joining Flexible Polymeric
Sheet Geomembranes.
13. D 4833, Test Method for Index Puncture Resistance of Geotextiles, Ge-
omembranes and Related Products.
14. D 5199, Standard Test Method for Measuring Nominal Thickness of
Smooth Geomembranes.
15. D 5397, Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Stress Crack. Resistance
of Polyolefins using Notched Constant Tensile Load Test.
16. D 5596, Standard Practice for Microscopical Examination of Pigment Dis-
persion in Plastic Compounds.
17. D 5641, Standard Practice for Geomembrane Seam Evaluation by Vacu-
um Chamber.
18. D 5721, Practice for Air-Oven Aging of Polyolefin Geomembranes.
19. D 5820, Test Method for Air Testing.
20. D 5885, Test Method for Oxidative Induction Time of Polyolefin Geosyn-
thetics by High Pressure Differential Scanning Calorimetry.
21. D 5994, Standard Test Method for Measuring Nominal Thickness of Tex-
tured Geomembranes.
22. D 6365, Standard Practice for the Nondestructive Testing of Geomem-
brane Seams using The Spark Test.
23. D5820-95, Pressurized Air Channel Test for Dual Seamed Geomem-
branes.
24. D 6392-08, Integrity of Non-reinforced Geomembrane Seams Produced
Using Thermo-Fusion Methods.
25. D7002, Standard Practice for Electrical Leak Location on Exposed Ge-
omembranes Using the Water Puddle Method.
26. D7007-15, Standard Practices for Electrical Methods for Locating Leaks
in Geomembranes Covered with Water or Earthen Materials.

27. ASTM D7466, Measurement of the Asperity Height of Textured Ge-

omembranes Using a Depth Gage
B. Geosynthetic Research Institute (GRI)

1. GRI GM 9, Cold Weather Seaming of Geomembranes
2. GRI GM 10, The Stress Crack Resistance of HDPE Geomembrane Sheet
3. GRI GM 13, Test Properties, Testing Frequency for High Density Poly-
ethylene (HDPE) Smooth and Textured Geomembranes
4. GRI GM 14, Test Frequencies for Destructive Seam Testing Selecting,

variable intervals for taking geomembrane destructive samples using
the method of attributes.
5. GRI GM 17, Test Methods, Test Properties and Testing Frequency for
Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) Smooth and Textured Ge-
omembranes
6. GRI GM 19, Seam Strength and Related Properties of Thermally Bonded

Polyolefin Geomembranes.
7. GRI GM 20, Selecting Variable Intervals for Taking Geomembrane De-

structive Seam Samples Using Control Charts.
1.03 Submittals
A. Submit under provisions of Section 1.03B an 1.03D
B. Submit the following to the Engineer or Owner, for review and approval, with-
in a reasonable time so as to expedite shipment or installation of the Ge-
omembrane:
1. Documentation of manufacturer's qualifications as specified in subsec-

tion 1.04A of this Section.
2. Manufacturer's Quality Control program manual or descriptive docu-

mentation.
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3. A material properties sheet, including at a minimum all properties

specified in GRI GM 13 or GRI GM 17, including test methods used.
4. Sample of the material.
5. Documentation of Installer's qualifications, as specified below and in

subsection 1.04B of this Section.
a. Submit a list of at least ten completed facilities. For each installa-

tion, provide: name and type of facility; its location; the date of
installation; name and telephone number of contact at the facility;
type and thickness of geomembrane and; surface area of the in-
stalled geomembrane.
b. Submit resumes or qualifications of the Installation Supervisor,
Master Seamer and IAGI Certified Welding Technicians (CWTs) to be
assigned to this project.
c. Quality Control Program.
6. Example Material Warranty and Liner Installation Warranty.
C. Shop Drawings
1. Submit copies of shop drawings for engineer's approval within a reason-
able time so as not to delay the start of geomembrane installation.
Shop drawings shall show the proposed panel layout identifying seams
and details. Seams should generally follow the direction of the slope.
Butt seams or roll-end seams should not occur on a slope unless ap-
proved by the Owner's Representative. Butt seams on a slope, if al-
lowed, should be staggered.
2. Placement of geomembrane should not be allowed to proceed until
Owner's Representative has received and approved the shop drawings.
D. Additional Submittals (In-Progress and at Completion)
1. Manufacturer's warranty (refer to subsection 1.07).
2. Geomembrane installation warranty (refer to subsection 1.08).

3. Daily written acceptance of subgrade surface (refer to subsection

3.01.C).
4. Low-temperature seaming procedures if applicable (refer to subsection

3.03.A).
5. Prequalification test seam samples (refer to subsection 3.05.A.6).
6. Field seam non-destructive test results (refer to subsection 3.05.B.1).
7. Field seam destructive test results (refer to subsection 3.05.C.6).
8. Daily field installation reports (refer to subsection 3.05.G).
9. Installation record drawing, as discussed in subsection 3.05.
1.04 Quality Control
A. Manufacturer's Qualifications: The manufacturer of geomembrane of the

type specified or similar product shall have at least five years experience in
the manufacture of such geomembrane. In addition, the geomembrane manu-
facturer shall have manufactured at least 1,000,000 M2 (10,000,000 FT2) of the
specified type of geomembrane or similar product during the last five years.
B. Installer's Qualifications
1. The Geomembrane Installer shall be the Manufacturer, approved Manu-

facturer's Installer or a contractor approved by the Owner's Repre-
sentative to install the geomembrane.
2. The Geomembrane Installer shall have at least three years experience

in the installation of the specified geomembrane or similar. The Ge-
omembrane Installer shall have installed at least 10 projects involving
a total of 500,000 M2 (5,000,000 FT2) of the specified type of geomem-
brane or similar during the last three years.
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3. Installation shall be performed under the direction of a field Installa-

tion Supervisor who shall be responsible throughout the geomembrane
installation, for geomembrane panel layout, seaming, patching, test-
ing, repairs, and all other activities of the Geomembrane Installer.
The Field Installation Supervisor shall have installed or supervised the
installation and seaming of a minimum of 10 projects involving a total
of 500,000 M2 (5,000,000 FT2) of geomembrane of the type specified or
similar product.
4. Seaming shall be performed under the direction of a Master Seamer

(who may also be the Field Installation Supervisor or Crew Foreman)
who has seamed a minimum of 300,000 M2 (3,000,000 FT2) of geomem-
brane of the type specified or similar product, using the same type of
seaming apparatus to be used in the current project. The Field Instal-
lation Supervisor and/or Master Seamer shall be present whenever
seaming is performed.
5. All seaming, patching, other welding operations, and testing shall be

performed by qualified technicians employed by the Geomembrane
Installer.
1.05 Delivery, Storage and Handling
A. Each roll of geomembrane delivered to the site shall be labeled by the manu-
facturer. The label shall be firmly affixed and shall clearly state the manu-
facturer's name, product identification, material thickness, roll number, roll
dimensions and roll weight.
B. Geomembrane shall be protected from mud, dirt, dust, puncture, cutting or

any other damaging or deleterious conditions.
C. Rolls shall be stored away from high traffic areas. Continuously and uniformly
support rolls on a smooth, level prepared surface.

1.06 Project Conditions
A. Geomembrane should not be installed in the presence of standing water,

while precipitation is occurring, during excessive winds, or when material
temperatures are outside the limits specified in Section 3.03.
1.07 Material Warranty
A. As agreed by project participants.
1.08 Geomembrane Installation Warranty
A. The Geomembrane Installer shall guarantee the geomembrane installation

against defects in the installation and workmanship for 1 year commencing
with the date of final acceptance.
1.09 Geomembrane Pre-Construction Meeting
A. A geomembrane pre-construction meeting shall be held at the site prior to

installation of the geomembrane. At a minimum, the meeting shall be at-
tended by the Geomembrane Installer, Owner, Owner’s representative
(Engineer and/or CQA Firm), and the Earthwork Contractor.
B. Topics for this meeting shall include:
1. Health and Safety
2. Lines of authority and communication. Resolution of any project docu-

ment ambiguity.
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3. Methods for documenting, reporting and distributing documents and

reports.
4. Procedures for packaging and storing archive samples.
5. Review of time schedule for all installation and testing.
6. Review of panel layout and numbering systems for panels and seams
including details for marking on geomembrane.
7. Procedures and responsibilities for preparation and submission of as-

built panel and seam drawings.
8. Temperature and weather limitations. Installation procedures for ad-

verse weather conditions. Defining acceptable subgrade, geomem-
brane, or ambient moisture and temperature conditions for working
during liner installation.
9. Subgrade conditions, dewatering responsibilities and subgrade mainte-

nance plan.
10. Deployment techniques including allowable subgrade for the geomem-

brane.
11. Plan for controlling expansion/contraction and wrinkling of the ge-

omembrane.
12. Covering of the geomembrane and cover soil placement.
13. Measurement and payment schedules.
14. Responsibilities of each party.
C. The meeting shall be documented by a person designated at the beginning of

the meeting and minutes shall be transmitted to all parties.

PART 2 - PRODUCTS
2.01 Source Quality Control
A. Manufacturing Quality Control

1. The test methods and frequencies used by the manufacturer for quality
control/quality assurance of the above geomembrane prior to delivery,
shall be in accordance with GRI GM 13 for HDPE geomembrane or GRI GM
17 for LLDPE geomembrane, or modified as required for project specific
conditions.
2. The manufacturer's geomembrane quality control certifications, including

results of quality control testing of the products, as specified in subsec-
tion 2.01.A.3 of this Section, must be supplied to the Owner's Representa-
tive to verify that the materials supplied for the project are in compli-
ance with all product and or project specifications in this Section. The
certification shall be signed by a responsible party employed by the man-
ufacturer, such as the QA/QC Manager, Production Manager, or Technical
Services Manager. Certifications shall include lot and roll numbers and
corresponding shipping information.
3. The Manufacturer will provide Certification that the geomembrane and

welding rod supplied for the project are made from the same material
type and are compatible.
2.02 Geomembrane
A. The geomembrane shall consist of new, first quality products designed and
manufactured specifically for the purpose of this work which shall have been
satisfactorily demonstrated by prior testing to be suitable and durable for such
purposes. The geomembrane rolls shall be seamless, high density polyeth-
ylene (HDPE - Formulated Sheet Density ≥ 0.940g/cc) or linear low density pol-
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yethylene (LLDPE - Formulated Sheet Density ≤ 0.939 g/cc) containing no

plasticizers, fillers or extenders and shall be free of holes, blisters or contam-
inants, and leak free verified by 100% in line spark or equivalent testing. The
geomembrane shall be supplied as a continuous sheet with no factory seams
in rolls. The geomembrane will meet the property requirements as shown in
Table 1a or 2a (GRI GM 13) or Table 1a or 2a (GRI GM 17).
B. Material conformance testing by the Owner's Representative, if required, will

be conducted using in-plant sampling or as specified for the project.
C. The geomembrane seams shall meet the property requirements as shown in

Table 2, (Attachment B) or as required by project specifications.
Interesting Historical Fact:

Before Australia adopted the metric system, they
used the term “thou” to mean thousandth of an
inch instead of using the term “mil.” So 30 mil
geomembranes would be referred to as “30 thou.”
For clarification, the use of the term mil in this
guideline means “thousandth of an inch.”

PART 3 - EXECUTION
3.01 Subgrade Preparation
A. The subgrade shall be prepared in accordance with the project specifications.

The geomembrane subgrade shall be uniform and free of sharp or angular ob-
jects that may damage the geomembrane prior to installation of the geomem-
brane.
B. The Geomembrane Installer and Owner’s Representative shall inspect the sur-
face to be covered with the geomembrane on each day's operations prior to
placement of geomembrane to verify suitability.
C. The Geomembrane Installer and Owner’s Representative shall provide daily

written acceptance for the surface to be covered by the geomembrane in that
day's operations. The surface shall be maintained in a manner, during ge-
omembrane installation, to ensure subgrade suitability.
D. All subgrade damaged by construction equipment and deemed unsuitable for

geomembrane deployment shall be repaired prior to placement of the ge-
omembrane. All repairs shall be approved by the Owner's Representative and
the Geomembrane Installer. This damage, repair, and the responsibilities of
the contractor and Geomembrane Installer shall be defined in the precon-
struction meeting.
3.02 Geomembrane Placement
A. No geomembrane shall be deployed until the applicable certifications and

quality control certificates listed in subsection 1.03 of this Section are submit-
ted to and approved by the Owner's Representative within the timeframe
specified in the contract documents. If the material does not meet project
specifications it shall be removed from the work area.
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B. The geomembrane shall be installed to the limits shown on the project draw-
ings and essentially as shown on approved panel layout drawings.
C. No geomembrane material shall be unrolled and deployed if the material tem-

peratures are lower than 0 degrees C (32 degrees F) unless otherwise ap-
proved by the Owner's Representative. The specified minimum temperature
for material deployment may be adjusted by the Owner’s Representative.
Temperature limitations should be defined in the preconstruction meeting.
Typically, only the quantity of geomembrane that will be anchored and
seamed together in one day should be deployed.
D. No vehicular traffic shall travel on the geomembrane other than an approved

low ground pressure vehicle or equivalent.
E. Sandbags or equivalent ballast shall be used as necessary to temporarily hold

the geomembrane material in position under the foreseeable and reasonably
expected wind conditions. Sand bag material shall be sufficiently close-knit
to prevent soil fines from working through the bags and discharging on the ge-
omembrane.
F. Geomembrane placement shall not be done if moisture prevents proper sub-

grade preparation, panel placement, or panel seaming. Moisture limitations
should be defined in the preconstruction meeting.
G. Damaged panels or portions of the damaged panels which have been rejected
shall be marked and their removal from the work area recorded.
H. The geomembrane shall not be allowed to "bridge over" voids or low areas in
the subgrade. The geomembrane shall rest in intimate contact with the sub-
grade.
I. Wrinkles caused by panel placement or thermal expansion should be mini-

mized in accordance with section 1.09 B11.
J. Considerations on site geometry: In general, seams shall be oriented parallel

to the line of the maximum slope. In corners and odd shaped geometric loca-

tions, the total length of field seams shall be minimized. Seams shall not be
located at low points in the subgrade unless geometry requires seaming at
such locations and if approved by the Owner's Representative.
K. Overlapping: The panels shall be overlapped prior to seaming to whatever

extent is necessary to affect a good weld and allow for proper testing. In no
case shall this overlap be less than 75 mm (3 in.).
3.03 Seaming Procedures
A. Cold weather installations should follow guidelines as outlined in GRI GM9.
B. No geomembrane material shall be seamed when liner temperatures are

less than 0 degrees C (32 degrees F) unless the following conditions are
complied with:
1. Seaming of the geomembrane at material temperatures below 0 de-

grees C (32 degrees F) is allowed if the Geomembrane Installer can
demonstrate to the Owner's Representative, using pre-qualification
test seams, that field seams comply with the project specifications,
the safety of the crew is ensured, and geomembrane material can be
fabricated (i.e. pipeboots, penetrations, repairs. etc.) at sub-
freezing temperatures.
2. The Geomembrane Installer shall submit to the Owner's Representa-

tive for approval, detailed procedures for seaming at low tempera-
tures, possibly including the following:
a. Preheating of the geomembrane.
b. The provision of a tent or other device if necessary to prevent
heat losses during seaming and rapid heat losses subsequent to
seaming.
c. Number of test welds to determine appropriate seaming parame-
ters.
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C. No geomembrane material shall be seamed when the sheet temperature is

above 75 degrees C (170 degrees F) as measured by an infrared thermometer
or surface thermocouple unless otherwise approved by the Owner's Repre-
sentative. This approval will be based on recommendations by the manufac-
turer and on a field demonstration by the Geomembrane Installer using
prequalification test seams to demonstrate that seams comply with the speci-
fication.
D. Seaming shall primarily be performed using automatic fusion welding equip-

ment and techniques. Extrusion welding shall be used where fusion welding is
not possible such as at pipe penetrations, patches, repairs and short (less than
a roll width) runs of seams.
E. Fishmouths or excessive wrinkles at the seam overlaps shall be minimized and

when necessary cut along the ridge of the wrinkles back into the panel so as
to effect a flat overlap. The cut shall be terminated with a keyhole cut
(nominal 10 mm (1/2 in) diameter hole) so as to minimize crack/tear propaga-
tion. The overlay shall subsequently be seamed. The key hole cut shall be
patched with an oval or round patch of the same base geomembrane material
extending a minimum of 150 mm (6 in.) beyond the cut in all directions.
3.04 Pipe and Structure Penetration Sealing System
A. Provide penetration sealing system as shown in the Project Drawings.
B. Penetrations shall be constructed from the base geomembrane material, flat

stock, prefabricated boots and accessories as shown on the Project Drawings.
The pre-fabricated or field fabricated assembly shall be field welded to the
geomembrane as shown on the Project Drawings so as to prevent leakage.
This assembly shall be tested as outlined in section 3.05.B. Alternatively,
where field non-destructive testing cannot be performed, attachments will be
field spark tested by standard holiday leak detectors in accordance with ASTM

6365.
C. Spark testing should be done in areas where both air pressure testing and vac-
uum testing are not possible.
1. Equipment for spark testing shall be comprised of but not limited to a

hand held holiday spark tester and conductive wand that generates a
high voltage.
2. The testing activities shall be performed by the Geomembrane Installer

by placing an electrically conductive tape or wire beneath the seam
prior to welding. A trial seam containing a non-welded segment shall
be subject to a calibration test to ensure that such a defect (non-
welded segment) will be identified under the planned machine settings
and procedures. Upon completion of the weld, enable the spark tester
and hold approximately 25mm (1 in) above the weld moving slowly
over the entire length of the weld in accordance with ASTM 6365. If
there is no spark the weld is considered to be leak free.
3. A spark indicates a hole in the seam. The faulty area shall be located,
repaired and retested by the Geomembrane Installer.
4. Care should be taken if flammable gases are present in the area to be

tested.
3.05 Field Quality Control
The Owner’s Representative shall be notified prior to all pre-qualification and pro-
duction welding and testing, or as agreed upon in the pre-construction meeting.
A. Prequalification Test Seams
1. Test seams shall prepare and tested by the Geomembrane Installer to
verify that seaming parameters (speed, temperature and pressure of
welding equipment) are adequate.
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2. Test seams shall be made by each welding technician and tested in ac-
cordance with ASTM D 4437 at the beginning of each seaming period.
Test seaming shall be performed under the same conditions and with
the same equipment and operator combination as production seaming.
The test seam shall be approximately 3.3 meters (10 feet) long for fu-
sion welding and 1 meter (3 feet) long for extrusion welding with the
seam centered lengthwise. At a minimum, tests seams should be made
by each technician 1 time every 4–6 hours; additional tests may be re-
quired with changes in environmental conditions.
3. Two 25 mm (1 in) wide specimens shall be die-cut by the Geomem-

brane Installer from each end of the test seam. These specimens shall
be tested by the Geomembrane Installer using a field tensiometer test-
ing both tracks for peel strength and also for shear strength. Each
specimen should fail in the parent material and not in the weld, “Film
Tear Bond"(F.T.B. failure). Seam separation equal to or greater than
25% of the track width shall be considered a failing test.
4. The minimum acceptable seam strength values to be obtained for all

specimens tested are listed in Subsection 3.05.C.4 of this Section.
Four specimens shall pass and the fifth specimen must meet or exceed
80% of the required seam strength for the test seam to be a passing
seam.
5. If a test seam fails, an additional test seam shall be immediately con-

ducted. If the additional test seam fails, the seaming apparatus shall
be rejected and not used for production seaming until the deficiencies
are corrected and a successful test seam can be produced.
6. A sample from each test seam shall be labeled. The label shall indi-
cate the date, geomembrane temperature, number of the seaming
unit, technician performing the test seam and pass or fail description.
The sample shall then be given to the Owner's Representative for ar-
chiving.

B. Field Seam Non-destructive Testing

1. All field seams shall be non-destructively tested by the Geomembrane
Installer over the full seam length before the seams are covered. Each
seam shall be numbered or otherwise designated. The location, date,
test unit, name of tester and outcome of all non-destructive testing
shall be recorded and submitted to the Owner's Representative.
2. Testing should be done as the seaming work progresses, not at the

completion of all field seaming, unless agreed to in advance by the
Owner's Representative. All defects found during testing shall be num-
bered and marked immediately after detection. All defects found
should be repaired, retested and remarked to indicate acceptable
completion of the repair.
3. Non-destructive testing shall be performed using vacuum box, air pres-

sure or spark testing equipment.
4. Non-destructive tests shall be performed by experienced technicians

familiar with the specified test methods. The Geomembrane Installer
shall demonstrate to the Owner's Representative all test methods to
verify the test procedures are valid.
5. Extrusion seams shall be vacuum box tested by the Geomembrane In-

staller in accordance with ASTM D 4437 and ASTM D 5641 with the fol-
lowing equipment and procedures:
a. Equipment for testing extrusion seams shall be comprised of but

not limited to: a vacuum box assembly consisting of a rigid housing,
a transparent viewing window, a soft rubber gasket attached to the
base, port hole or valve assembly and a vacuum gauge; a vacuum
pump assembly equipped with a pressure controller and pipe con-
nections; a rubber pressure/vacuum hose with fittings and connec-
20
tions; a plastic bucket; wide paint brush or mop; and a soapy solu-
tion.
b. The vacuum pump shall be charged and the tank pressure adjusted
to approximately 35 kPa (5 psig).
c. The Geomembrane Installer shall create a leak tight seal between

the gasket and geomembrane interface by wetting a strip of ge-
omembrane approximately 0.3m (12 in) by 1.2m (48 in) (length
and width of box) with a soapy solution, placing the box over the
wetted area, and then compressing the box against the geomem-
brane. The Geomembrane Installer shall then close the bleed
valve, open the vacuum valve, maintain initial pressure of approxi-
mately 35 kPa (5 psig) for approximately five (5) seconds. The ge-
omembrane should be continuously examined through the viewing
window for the presence of soap bubbles, indicating a leak. If no
bubbles appear after five (5) seconds, the area shall be considered
leak free. The box shall be depressurized and moved over the next
adjoining area with an appropriate overlap and the process repeat-
ed.
d. All areas where soap bubbles appear shall be marked, repaired and
then retested.
e. At locations where seams cannot be nondestructively tested, such

as pipe penetrations, alternate nondestructive spark testing (as
outlined in section 3.04.B) or equivalent should be substituted.
f. All seams that are vacuum tested shall be marked with the date
tested, the name of the technician performing the test and the re-
sults of the test.
6. Double Fusion seams with an enclosed channel shall be air pressure

tested by the Geomembrane Installer in accordance with ASTM D 5820
and ASTM D 4437 and the following equipment and procedures:

a. Equipment for testing double fusion seams shall be comprised of

but not limited to: an air pump equipped with a pressure gauge ca-
pable of generating and sustaining a pressure of 210 kPa (30 psig),
mounted on a cushion to protect the geomembrane; and a manom-
eter equipped with a sharp hollow needle or other approved pres-
sure feed device.
b. The testing activities shall be performed by the Geomembrane In-

staller. Both ends of the seam to be tested shall be sealed and a
needle or other approved pressure feed device inserted into the
tunnel created by the double wedge fusion weld. The air pump
shall be adjusted to a pressure of 210 kPa (30 psig), and the valve
closed. Allow two (2) minutes for the injected air to come to equi-
librium in the channel, and sustain pressure for five (5) minutes. If
pressure loss does not exceed 28 kPa (4 psig) after this five minute
period the seam shall be considered leak tight. Release pressure
from the opposite end verifying pressure drop on needle to ensure
testing of the entire seam. The needle or other approved pressure
feed device shall be removed and the feed hole sealed.
NOTE: Historically, destructive seam testing has been conducted every 150 lineal meters.
(approximately 500 lineal feet). There is a movement toward doing less destructive testing mid
field seam. The rationale behind this change is that when a hole is cut from a seam, it is repaired
with a seam that is not as good as the original. There are several methods used within the indus-
try to reduce the amount of destructive seam sampling done. One method involves the use of both
destructive and non-destructive methods for testing seam integrity. First, the seam must be made
with split-wedge welder and successfully air channel tested. Also a destructive seam sample is
taken from the anchor trench and tested. If both tests are successful, then no destructive seams
are taken from the field seam. If either test fails, then destructive sampling is conducted on the
field seam. A second method is detailed in GRI’s GM 14 guideline “Selecting Variable Intervals for
Taking Geomembrane Destructive Seam Samples Using the Method of Attributes.” A simplified
explanation of this method is that good seaming performance is rewarded by extending the de-
22
c. If loss of pressure exceeds 28 kPa (4 psig) during the testing period

or pressure does not stabilize, the faulty area shall be located, re-
paired and retested by the Geomembrane Installer.
d. Results of the pressure testing shall be recorded on the liner at the

seam tested and on a pressure testing record.
C. Destructive Field Seam Testing

1. One destructive test sample per 150 linear m (500 linear ft) seam
length or another predetermined length in accordance with GRI GM14
or GRI GM20 shall be taken by the Geomembrane Installer from a loca-
tion specified by the Owner's Representative. The Geomembrane In-
staller shall not be informed in advance of the sample location. In or-
der to obtain test results prior to completion of geomembrane installa-
tion, samples shall be cut by the Geomembrane Installer as directed by
the Owner's Representative as seaming progresses.
2. All field samples shall be marked with their sample number and seam
number. The sample number, date, time, location, and seam number
shall be recorded. The Geomembrane Installer shall repair all holes in
the geomembrane resulting from obtaining the seam samples. All
patches shall be vacuum box tested or spark tested. If a patch cannot
be permanently installed over the test location the same day of sample
collection, a temporary patch shall be tack welded or hot air welded
over the opening until a permanent patch can be affixed.
3. The destructive sample size shall be 300 mm (12 in) wide by 1 m (36 in)
long with the seam centered lengthwise. The sample shall be cut into
three equal sections and distributed as follows: one section given to the
Owner's Representative as an archive sample; one section given to the
Owner's Representative for laboratory testing as specified in paragraph
5 below; and one section retained by the Geomembrane Installer for
field testing as specified in paragraph 4 below.

4. For field testing, the Geomembrane Installer shall cut 10 identical 25

mm (1 in) wide replicate specimens from the sample. The Geomem-
brane Installer shall test five specimens for seam shear strength and
five for peel strength. Peel tests will be performed on both inside and
outside weld tracks. To be acceptable, 4 of 5 test specimens must pass
the stated criteria in section 2.02 with less than 25% separation. The
fifth specimen must meet or exceed 80% of the required seam
strength.
5. If independent seam testing is required by the specifications it shall be

conducted in accordance with ASTM 5820 or ASTM D4437.
6. Reports of the results of examinations and testing shall be prepared

and submitted to the Owner's Representative.
7. For field seams, if a laboratory test fails, that shall be considered as

an indicator of the possible inadequacy of the entire seamed length
corresponding to the test sample. Additional destructive test portions
shall then be taken by the Geomembrane Installer at locations indicat-
ed by the Engineer; typically 3 m (10 ft.) on either side of the failed
sample and laboratory seam tests shall be performed. Passing tests
shall be an indicator of adequate seams. Failing tests shall be an indi-
cator of non-adequate seams and all seams represented by the de-
structive test location shall be repaired with a cap-strip extrusion
welded to all sides of the capped area. All cap-strip seams shall be
non-destructively vacuum box tested until adequacy of the seams is
achieved. Cap strip seams exceeding 50 M in length (150 FT) shall be
destructively tested.
D. Identification of Defects
1. Panels and seams shall be inspected by the Installer and Owner's Rep-
resentative during and after panel deployment to identify all defects,
including holes, blisters, undispersed raw materials and signs of con-
tamination by foreign matter.
24
E. Evaluation of Defects: Each suspect location on the liner (both in geomem-

brane seam and non-seam areas) shall be non-destructively tested using one of
the methods described in Section 3.05.B. Each location which fails non-
destructive testing shall be marked, numbered, measured and posted on the
daily "installation" drawings and subsequently repaired.
1. If a destructive sample fails the field or laboratory test, the Geomem-
brane Installer shall repair the seam between the two nearest passed
locations on both sides of the failed destructive sample location.
2. Defective seams, tears or holes shall be repaired by re-seaming or ap-

plying an extrusion welded cap strip.
3. Reseaming may consist of either:
a. Removing the defective weld area and rewelding the parent mate-
rial using the original welding equipment; or
b. Reseaming by extrusion welding along the overlap at the outside

seam edge left by the fusion welding process.
4. Blisters, larger holes, and contamination by foreign matter shall be re-

paired by patches and/or extrusion weld beads as required. Each
patch shall extend a minimum of 150 mm (6 in) beyond all edges of the
defects.
5. All repairs shall be measured, located and recorded.
F. Verification of Repairs on Seams: Each repair shall be non-destructively

tested using either vacuum box or spark testing methods. Tests which pass
the non-destructive test shall be taken as an indication of a successful repair.
Failed tests shall be reseamed and retested until a passing test results. The
number, date, location, technician and test outcome of each patch shall be
recorded.

G. Daily Field Installation Reports: At the beginning of each day's work, the
Installer shall provide the Engineer with daily reports for all work accom-
plished on the previous work day. Reports shall include the following:
1. Total amount and location of geomembrane placed;
2. Total length and location of seams completed, name of technicians

doing seaming and welding unit numbers;
3. Drawings of the previous day's installed geomembrane showing panel

numbers, seam numbers and locations of non-destructive and destruc-
tive testing;
4. Results of pre-qualification test seams;
5. Results of non-destructive testing; and
6. Results of vacuum testing of repairs.
H. Destructive test results shall be reported prior to covering of liner or within

48 hours.
3.06 Liner Acceptance
A. Geomembrane liner will be accepted by the Owner's Representative when:
1. The entire installation is finished or an agreed upon subsection of the

installation is finished;
2. All Installer’s QC documentation is completed and submitted to the

owner;
3. Verification of the adequacy of all field seams and repairs and associ-
ated geomembrane testing is complete.
3.07 Anchor Trench
A. Construct as specified on the project drawings.
26
3.08 Disposal of Scrap Materials
A. On completion of installation, the Geomembrane Installer shall dispose of all

trash and scrap material in a location approved by the Owner, remove equip-
ment used in connection with the work herein, and shall leave the premises in
a neat acceptable manner. No scrap material shall be allowed to remain on
the geomembrane surface.
PART 4 - MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT
As per project specifications.
PART 5 - GSI GM13 SPECIFICATION
"This section shall include the current GSI GM13 manufacturer's specification or a revision of
GSI GM13 specific to the unique project requirements and/or standards, as determined by
the owner or owners’ agent."

Attachment A.
Table 1(a) – Seam Strength and related Properties of Thermally Bonded
Smooth and Textured Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) Geomembrane
(English Units)
20 30 40 50 60 80 100 120
Geomembrane Nominal Thickness mils mils mils mils mils mils mils mils
(1)
Hot Wedge Seams
shear strength(2), lb/in. 30 45 60 75 90 120 150 180
(3)
shear elongation at break ,% 50 50 50 50 50 50 50 50
(2)
peel strength , lb/in. 25 38 50 63 75 100 125 150
peel separation, % 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25
(1)
Extrusion Fillet Seams
shear strength(2), lb/in. 30 45 60 75 90 120 150 180
(3)
(2)
peel strength , lb/in. 22 34 44 57 66 88 114 136
peel separation, % 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25
Table 1(b) – Seam Strength and related Properties of Thermally Bonded Smooth
and Textured Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE) Geomembrane (S.I. Units)
Geomembrane Nominal Thickness 0.50 0.75 1.0 1.25 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0
mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
(1)
Hot Wedge Seams
shear strength(2), N/25mm 131 197 263 328 394 525 657 788
(3)
(2)
peel strength , N/25mm 109 166 219 276 328 438 547 657
peel separation, % 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25
(1)
shear strength(2), N/25mm 131 197 263 328 394 525 657 788
(3)
(2)
peel strength , N/25mm 95 150 190 250 290 385 500 595
peel separation, % 25 25 25 25 25 25 25 25
Notes for Tables 1(a) and 1(b):

1. Also for hot air and ultrasonic seaming methods
2. Value listed for shear and peel strength are for 4 out of 5 test specimens; the 5th specimen can be low as 80% of the
listed values
3. Elongation measurements should be omitted for field testing
28
Table 2(a) – Seam Strength and related Properties of Thermally Bonded
Smooth and Textured High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Geomembrane
(English Units)
Geomembrane Nominal Thickness 30 mils 40 mils 50 mils 60 mils 80 mils 100 mils 120 mils
Hot Wedge Seams(1)

Shear strength(2), lb/in. 57 80 100 120 160 200 240
(3)
Shear elongation at break , % 50 50 50 50 50 50 50
Peel strength(2), lb/in. 45 60 76 91 121 151 181

Peel separation, % 25 25 25 25 25 25 25

Shear strength(2), lb/in. 57 80 100 120 160 200 240
Shear elongation at break(3), % 50 50 50 50 50 50 50
Peel strength(2), lb/in. 39 52 65 78 104 130 156

Peel separation, % 25 25 25 25 25 25 25
Table 2(b) – Seam Strength and related Properties of Thermally Bonded Smooth and
Textured High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Geomembrane (S.I. Units)
Geomembrane Nominal Thickness 0.75 1.0 1.25 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0
mm mm mm mm mm mm mm
(1)
Hot Wedge Seams
shear strength(2), N/25mm 250 350 438 525 701 876 1050
(3)
shear elongation at break ,% 50 50 50 50 50 50 50
(2)
peel strength , N/25mm 197 263 333 398 530 661 793
peel separation, % 25 25 25 25 25 25 25
(1)
shear strength(2), N/25mm 250 350 438 525 701 876 1050
shear elongation at break(3) , % 50 50 50 50 50 50 50
(2)
peel strength , N/25mm 170 225 285 340 455 570 680
peel separation, % 25 25 25 25 25 25 25
Notes for Tables 1(a) and 1(b):

1. Also for hot air and ultrasonic seaming methods
2. Value listed for shear and peel strength are for 4 out of 5 test specimens; the 5th specimen can be low as 80% of the
listed values
3. Elongation measurements should be omitted for field testing
29
www.iagi.org
For the most recent version of this document, visit www.iagi.org.
International Association of Geosynthetic Installers

8457 N. Rampart Range Road, Unit 106, PMB #154
Roxborough, CO 80125 USA
Telephone: +1 (720) 353-4977 / Fax: +1 (612) 235-6484
Email:iagi@iagi.org
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Guidelines for Installation of:

HDPE and LLDPE Geomembrane

HDPE and LLDPE Geomembrane

International Association of Geosynthetic Installers

Date: November 1, 2015

1.04 Quality Control 8

1.05 Delivery, Storage and Handling 9

1.06 Project Conditions 10

1.07 Material Warranty 10

1.08 Geomembrane Installation Warranty 10

1.09 Geomembrane Pre-Construction meeting 11

3.02 Geomembrane Placement 14

3.03 Seaming Procedures 16

3.04 Pipe and Structure Penetration Sealing System 17

3.05 Field Quality Control 18

3.06 Liner Acceptance 26

3.07 Anchor Trench 26

3.08 Disposal of Scrap Materials 27

Part 4 — Measurement and Payment

Part 5 — GSI GM 13 Specification 27

HDPE and LLDPE Geomembrane Installation Specification

1.01 Guideline Scope

A. American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM):

1. D 638, Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics.

2. D 4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics.

3. D 751, Standard Test Methods for Coated Fabrics.

HDPE and LLDPE Geomembrane Installation Specification

5 © International Association of Geosynthetic Installers 2015

HDPE and LLDPE Geomembrane Installation Specification

27. ASTM D7466, Measurement of the Asperity Height of Textured Ge-

B. Geosynthetic Research Institute (GRI)

2. GRI GM 10, The Stress Crack Resistance of HDPE Geomembrane Sheet

4. GRI GM 14, Test Frequencies for Destructive Seam Testing Selecting,

6. GRI GM 19, Seam Strength and Related Properties of Thermally Bonded

7. GRI GM 20, Selecting Variable Intervals for Taking Geomembrane De-

1. Documentation of manufacturer's qualifications as specified in subsec-

2. Manufacturer's Quality Control program manual or descriptive docu-

HDPE and LLDPE Geomembrane Installation Specification

3. A material properties sheet, including at a minimum all properties

4. Sample of the material.

5. Documentation of Installer's qualifications, as specified below and in

a. Submit a list of at least ten completed facilities. For each installa-

6. Example Material Warranty and Liner Installation Warranty.

D. Additional Submittals (In-Progress and at Completion)

1. Manufacturer's warranty (refer to subsection 1.07).

2. Geomembrane installation warranty (refer to subsection 1.08).

7 © International Association of Geosynthetic Installers 2015

HDPE and LLDPE Geomembrane Installation Specification

3. Daily written acceptance of subgrade surface (refer to subsection

4. Low-temperature seaming procedures if applicable (refer to subsection

5. Prequalification test seam samples (refer to subsection 3.05.A.6).

6. Field seam non-destructive test results (refer to subsection 3.05.B.1).

7. Field seam destructive test results (refer to subsection 3.05.C.6).

8. Daily field installation reports (refer to subsection 3.05.G).

9. Installation record drawing, as discussed in subsection 3.05.

1.04 Quality Control

A. Manufacturer's Qualifications: The manufacturer of geomembrane of the

1. The Geomembrane Installer shall be the Manufacturer, approved Manu-

2. The Geomembrane Installer shall have at least three years experience