Geomembranes

Design elements

2008 edition

Design elements 1/3

Contents
1. Geometry of the works 1.1. Form of the basins 1.2. Slopes 1.3. Accessibility to the works 1.4. Access ramp 1.5. Drainage and maintenance 2. Criteria for selecting a Geomembrane Waterproofing System 2.1. Temperature 2.2. Ultraviolet radiation 2.3. Wind 2.4. Hypobaric pressures (underpressures) 2.5. Vegetation above the geomembrane 2.6. Settling and swelling of soils 2.7. Ice 2.8. Liquid flow-off (canal, basin feed zone, aerated lagoon, etc.) 2.9. Waves and wakes 2.10. Floating bodies 2.11. Leak rate 2.12. Chemical aggressions 2.13. Vandalism 3 3 3 4 5 5 6 6 6 6 7 8 9 9 9 10 11 11 11 11

Geomembrane Installation Guide | Design elements 1/3 | 03-08

1. Geometry of the works

1.1. Form of the basins
Prefer simple geometrical forms for the works so as to:
J facilitate the installation of the

Geomembrane Waterproofing System;

J limit complex assemblies; J avoid the formation of wrinkles.

1.2. Slopes
The gradient of the slopes is related to the quality of the materials on the site. It shall be determined taking into account the rules of soil mechanics. The slope shall be stable by itself and the Geomembrane Waterproofing System is there only to waterproof the structures. The following points need to be taken into account: J the geometry of the works (gradients, lengths of inclines, etc.); J the nature of the substrate materials and of the protection layer; J the mechanical characteristics of the various elements of the Geomembrane Waterproofing System; J the friction coefficients at the interfaces of the various layers among themselves; J the nature of the products stored; J the works-operating mode (presence or absence of water, variation of water level, possibility of fast draining, etc.). Although the installation of the Geomembrane Waterproofing System is possible on certain

vertical or sub-vertical substrates (rocky, concreted or masonry slopes), jobsite constraints are such that, as a general rule, it is preferable to position them on gradients from 3H / 2V to 2H / 1V.

3H / 2V maxi

2H / 1V

These low gradients are intended: J to facilitate traffic both of personnel and of wheeled rigs; J to facilitate the assembly work on the site; J to facilitate the installation of protection on the waterproofing; J to limit the strains exerted on the waterproofing. It should be noted that the composite bituminous geomembranes have high friction coefficients at

Geomembrane Installation Guide | Design elements 1/3 | 03-08

the geotextile topsoil interface, for example. So they allow for sizing with higher gradient slopes than those of Waterproofing Systems, including a synthetic geomembrane.

Preparation at the crest of the slopes It is recommended that a provisional roadway be provided around the storage structures to enable: J construction of the anchorage trench of the geomembrane; J transfer of the rolls to the jobsite from the storage area; J execution of the works on the jobsite without risk of damaging the waterproofing by jobsite wheeled rig traffic (prohibited on synthetic geomembranes, possible on bituminous geomembranes, if certain precautions, described further on, are taken). This provisional or permanent roadway around the works needs to be planned as soon as the design of the works begins. The recommended width is about a minimum of 3m to take into account the anchorage trench and enough space for a wheeled rig to roll.

1.3. Accessibility to the works

Access and storage of materials A storage area needs to be provided that is flat, clean and with sufficient load bearing capacity to enable lorries to come in and wheeled rigs to roll. During loading and unloading operations, all precautions need to be taken to prevent damaging the first turns of the rolls. The rolls must be stored flat where it is dry, three rolls high maximum, in their original packing.

3m mini

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1.4. Access ramp

An access ramp facilitates the traffic of wheeled rigs while the works are going on and for the maintenance operations and for the basin scouring. The following recommendations apply: J a gradient of about 15% maximum is recommended; J the pavement shall consists of water binding clayey sand materials (concrete or embedded aggregate); J in the case of bituminous geomembrane waterproofing, the roadway can be directly built on the geomembrane, referring to the installation paragraph;

J in the case of a synthetic geomembrane, it must be mechanically fixed to the concrete slab or, an intermediate layer of materials is to be added on between the geomembrane and the pavement.

1.5. Drainage and maintenance

A subgrade gradient is recommended in order to: J drain all the water at the end of rainfalls; J avoid retention zones; J facilitate removal of gases; J facilitate cleaning.

Standard gradient diagram

Gradient of 2% to 5%

Gradient of 2% to 3%

Geomembrane Installation Guide | Design elements 1/3 | 03-08

2. Criteria for selecting a Geomembrane Waterproofing System

The selection of a Geomembrane Waterproofing System for a given project depends on many parameters. Each project is specific and the initial step of sizing is to rank these criteria so as to be able to determine the nature of the geomembrane to be used. J total ballasting by a general protection; J suction systems by the draining network of gases or of balancing pressures by ventilation apertures (air-wind); however, this latter solution requires taking the necessary precautions to make sure that the system is not operating under hyperbaric pressure (overpressure).
Anchoring

2.1. Temperature
Temperature variations cause shrinkage and expansion of the geomembrane and can entail constraints, either permanent or not, of wrinkling at the assemblies, of tensile stress at the anchorings. These phenomena are particularly annoying for certain types of geomembranes if they occur with considerable amplitude during installation, which is the case with Geonap type High Density Polyethylene geomembranes. This may lead to working only certain times during the day. So it is advisable to verify the value of the thermal expansion coefficient indicated in the geomembrane technical data sheet. Finally, low temperatures may make certain geomembranes brittle. For this, protection measures need to be planned. The brittle temperature is given by the cold bending tests.

2.2. Ultraviolet radiation

The UVs are one of the main ageing factors of geomembranes. Installing a protection structure considerably increases these materials service life. The behaviour of geomembranes under ultraviolet radiation is checked by the accelerated ageing tests.

Ballasting

2.3. Wind
If no precaution is taken when the wind is blowing, and while the installation is in service, certain parts of the geomembrane may be subjected to sufficient negative wind load (underpressure) so as to lift them. A number of solutions are possible according to the state of progress of the works: J installing anchorings; J partial ballasting (bags of sand, windrows of nonaggressive materials, ballasted tyres, water, etc.), taking into account, as the case may be, the weight of the geomembrane;
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To the degree possible, and if the form of the structures makes this possible, the geomembrane is unrolled, beginning the installation by the crest of the slopes, continuing along the line of the largest

Geomembrane Installation Guide | Design elements 1/3 | 03-08

grade and taking into account the direction of the prevailing winds, according to the diagram below:

Prevailing winds Direction of the installation of the membrane

2.4. Hypobaric pressures (underpressures)

The water and gases accumulated under the geomembrane exerts hypobaric pressures on it, which tend to lift it.

Causes of hypobaric pressures

Water infiltrations

Gas compression Leaks into a basin containing organic matter Upward penetration of the water table

Water table level above the level of the bottom of the basin

Decomposition of organic matter

Hydraulic hypobaric pressures The hydraulic hypobaric pressures can be related to three types of events: J an upward penetration of the water table that may become flush with the level of the bottom of the basin and lift the geomembrane; J the weather related water or the water from noncaptured sources, which can cause slipping or wash-out under the geomembrane in the slope; J the liquids contained in the basin in case no specific outlet has been built or in case the waterproofing is damaged.

The installation of a drainage system under the waterproofing makes it possible to better distribute the hypobaric pressures, to remove the gases toward the slopes and, as the case may be, to take action to limit the effects due to these hypobaric pressures. In cases where the risks of upward penetration of the water table are well identified, the installation of a protection structure, balancing the predictable hypobaric pressures, is necessary. The hypobaric pressures related to gases All the basins may well undergo damage related to upward penetration of gas.
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The hypobaric pressures related to gases can appear in the following configurations: J Fermentable soils The gas is produced by the decomposition of organic matter. It is recommended that the substrate be clear of these materials before installing the waterproofing. J Water tables Any upward penetration of the water table chases the air contained in the soil out, thus creating hypobaric pressures under the waterproofing.

Main pathology linked to the absence of drainage of gases

If the building of a subgrade with gradient in the structure is not planned and if there is no drainage system, the gas is trapped under the waterproofing without any possibility of being removed. In that case a pocket is created under the geomembrane. These pockets, sometimes referred to as hippopotamuses, often tend to grow as shown in the example below. They can generate major pathologies.

The solution

J The gas drainage system under the geomembrane; J The building of improved subgrades with gradient.

to the soils, as well as the earth thickness, makes it possible to improve the operation of the project. It is important to prepare a basin servicing plan from its very conception.
Safety on the banks and in the basins

2.5. Vegetation above the geomembrane

It is possible to plant vegetation over a Geomembrane Waterproofing System as long as shrub species are selected, species whose root systems can be accommodated in the depth of the earth to be overlaid in the project. The root system stabilises the materials on the slopes; a good choice of plant species, well adapted

Several arrangements need to be made: J building a fence around the basin; J installing ladders, ropes with knots to enable a person or an animal to get out of the basin following an accidental fall.

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Special arrangements need to be made when the project is designed to be accessible to the public.

2.6. Settling and swelling of soils

Generally speaking, there is always a risk of circumscribed settling of the substrate and it is recommended that waterproofing be installed, if possible, with a flexible material that can fit against the deformations of the substrate. Nevertheless, it is necessary to build a support structure, limiting these differential movements, and this, given the permissible deformations of the geomembranes. The following steps may be carried out: J local elimination of compressible or swelling materials; J increasing the thickness of the subgrade, capping layer and/or base layer); J compacting the subgrade.

J strains during water level variations; J aggressions by floating blocks. It may be necessary for the waterproofing to install a heavy mineral protection in the water level rise and fall range.

2.8. Liquid flow-off (canal, basin feed zone, aerated lagoon, etc.)
Water coming into a basin without particular arrangements can generate pathologies such as wash-out under the waterproofing, deformation of the geomembrane, tensions at the fixing elements. The liquid temperature may increase the risk of degradation. It is recommended that an outflow channel, of concrete or of another material, be installed where the water comes in. Water currents in a basin or in a canal also generate strains against the waterproofing on the slopes and this increases with the flow speed, in particular at details and connections, gradient or section changes, pronounced curve, etc.

2.7. Ice
The presence of ice in contact with the Geomembrane Waterproofing System can generate strains leading to troubles such as: J lateral thrust when ice is forming;

Geomembrane Installation Guide | Design elements 1/3 | 03-08

A protection structure forming the ballasting shall always be carefully considered: J in zones of high turbulence; J at details and connections; J within sections where the flow rate is greater than 1.5m/s (guide value). In cases where adapting to a flow rate limit or to a flow section limit precludes ballasting, the geomembrane can be joined to its substrate by welding or full-surface bonding, in bands or at specific points, or by circumscribed or linear mechanical fixing. A fixing system is to be determined based upon the expected speed and turbulence on the geomembrane.
Protection structure where liquids come in

2.9. Waves and wakes

The waves or wakes, created by the passing of boats or by the wind, against the bank, generate a series of alternating hydrodynamic strains. The support structure must be correctly sized to be able to withstand the strains. According to the amplitude of the phenomenon, the geomembrane is to be covered by a protection structure or fixed at the locations involved. A rock-fill or a protection of concrete can reduce these phenomena. In these cases, it is recommended to use a bituminous geomembrane because its surface has no expansion wrinkles so a protection layer can be installed under good conditions, closely gauging its thickness.

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Geomembrane Installation Guide | Design elements 1/3 | 03-08

It is also important to provide a strong enough surge barrier to prevent the waves from surging over the banks.

2.10. Floating bodies

The presence of floating bodies, including ice, by bumping or rubbing, can cause circumscribed tears in the geomembrane. A protection structure is to be provided or any ways and means aiming either to reduce the presence of these floating bodies or to prevent their contact with the geomembrane. This risk increases with the amplitude of the waves and therefore with the extent of the surface area of the basin.

2.11. Leak rate

The structure of the Geomembrane Waterproofing System depends on the permissible leak rate during operation. The permissible leak rate depends on economic and hydraulic considerations, but also on the risks undergone in case of leak (pollution or destabilisation of the foundation soil). In cases where these risks are considerable, a double waterproofing can be provided, or even a composite system, associating layers of soils of low permeability and geomembranes. The same principle can apply to control the leak flow on permeable ground.

2.13. Vandalism
Vandalism, difficult to quantify, is a parameter that can lead to applying particular protection devices: fence, total or partial protection structure, etc. Bituminous geomembranes, by their thickness, their mechanical strength and their ease of repair, are certainly more capable of responding to this type of problem.

2.12. Chemical aggressions

The liquid retained or carried along shall in no case chemically aggress the Geomembrane Waterproofing System. The conditions for operating the structures, in terms of the materials contained, shall be defined from the beginning and shall be respected over time so as to define the geomembrane.

Our Technical Department is at your disposal to study and analyse the feasibility of any project plan.

Geomembrane Installation Guide | Design elements 1/3 | 03-08

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12, rue de la Renaissance 92184 Antony Cedex - France Tel: +33 1 40 96 35 00 Fax: +33 1 46 66 24 85 www.siplast-international.com

C1-52 - 03/08 - Photos and design concept: Icopal - R.C.S. Nanterre B 552 100 984