A m s t e r d a m B r a t i s l a v a S i n g a p o r e S t o c k h o l m

Liner Constructions

GSE-liner® Sensor DDS Geolock®

Building worldwide on our strength

Geolock

GSE-liner
 Sensor DDS

Liner Constructions
Cofra is specialized in the processing and appli-
cation of synthetic liners both for environmen-
tal and civil engineering applications. As well
as standard PE liner, Cofra also installs liner panels to protect
concrete and vertical cut-off walls. A thorough knowledge of
synthetics is used for designing new products and applications
as well as for maintaining the quality of the work to be carried
out.

GSE-liner®
Cofra represents GSE, the world’s largest liner manufacturer. Our experienced

installation teams have been carrying out their work according to strict quality control

standards for over 20 years. Whether base protection for landfills, or upper wall seal-

ants, Cofra can help in carrying out every project on time and within budget.

Sensor DDS
Sensor DDS is a damage detection system for synthetic liners. The system detects

any leaks in the liner via a web of sensors. The position of the leak is detected

electronically and is thus easy to locate and repair. The system can be applied either

permanently or by mobile means and gives the customer extra assurance as to the

quality of the sealing.

Geolock®
Vertical synthetic cut-off walls are used for both environmental and civil engineering

projects. Cofra has years of experience in the manufacture and installation of such

anti-seepage screens. Cofra has carried out projects with Geolock in Europe, North

America and Asia. Geolock can be applied for isolating existing landfills and for cut-off

walls in dikes, dams and lowered carriageways. Geolock has an unrivalled number of

applications which are very competitive compared to traditional materials.

 A m s t e r d a m B r a t i s l a v a S i n g a p o r e S t o c k h o l m

g e o m e m b r a n e s

GSE

GSE Liners “Assessment Guidelines for non-reinforced high-

GSE-HD is a high-quality synthetic liner made from density polyethylene sealant liner (PE-HD)”, that

high-density polyethylene (HDPE). More than 500 does not just approve the material for normal under-
2
million m of GSE-HD have been applied in thou- ground applications, but also as sealing material

sands of projects all over the world, making GSE- exposed to UV radiation. GSE-HD is also approved

HD the most widely used HDPE liner for the sealing as a liner for the laying of manure basins. GSE-HD is

of landfills, dredging depots, sediment basins and resistant to chemicals, including acids, salts, bases,

water reservoirs. At 7.5 m, GSE-HD is the widest alcohol, oils and hydrocarbons. A great number of

unwelded liner. This does not just save on installa- tests have also been carried out on leakages from

tion costs, but the low number of welding joints is refuse dumps and chemical waste depots. It has

also safer for the customer. The material is available also become apparent that GSE-HD is resistant to

in thicknesses from 0.75 mm to 3.5 mm. a number of combinations of chemicals as used in

practical applications.

Material characteristics

GSE-HD has a considerably higher tensile and Quality control

tear strength than other materials. The material Quality control during the production of GSE-HD

satisfies the demands laid down in BRL-K 538/01 liner is an important aspect of the manufacturing

process. The material is regularly checked for the

density, melt index, thickness, elasticity, carbon

GSE-PP
black content and tensile strength, thus guarantee-
GSE-HD ing a constant quality of liner delivered. On request,

additional tests can be carried out for special appli-

PVC
cations. This strict control on demands was the

motivation for KIWA to issue the first liner certi-

LDPE
fication to GSE-HD. The NSF (National Sanitation
0 10 20 30 40
tensile strength (MPa) Foundation) carries out spot checks on quality con-

trol in factories in the United States.

Welding Systems In order to test the quality of double weld connec-

The ultimate effectiveness of a sealing construction, tions, all welding joints are tested using compressed

using HDPE liner, is determined by the reliability of air. Here, not only the strength, but also the thick-

the welding joints. Generally there are two basic ness of the welding joint is checked.

methods of welding lengths of liner. Extrusion welds are tested using sparks or a vacu-

um clock. All welding methods demand a great deal

- The hot wedge weld: In this method, a heated of expertise, both in regard to their workmanship

copper wedge is pulled between two layers of liner, as well as testing for guaranteeing optimum weld

whereby the upper surface of the material melts. quality. Before work is commenced, the qualified

Using pressure rollers, the liner is converted into technicians are tested (as to their competency) as

a homogenous connection. For test purposes, a well as the welding machines (for operation and

double weld with test channel is normally made. adjustment) which are checked by way of test

- The extrusion weld: Using a hand held extruder, a welds. The checks are carried out by an independent

bead of molten HDPE is placed on the edge of the institute, such as the RTD. As well as the standard

liner, whereby this connects with the lower lying quality GSE-HD, a number of other types of liner

liner. are available.

GSE-VF

This very low-density polyethylene combines

very favorable mechanical characteristics with an

outstanding chemical resistance. Mainly the large

biaxial elasticity makes this liner very suitable

as a sealant in those places where major subsoil

Double weld with test channel deformation is to be expected.

Building worldwide on our strength

GSE-DRS and MRS By combining this liner with the normal GSE-HD,

As well as the normal GSE liners, there are special a self-repairing construction occurs providing extra

liners developed with a rough upper surface, whereby security.

the angle of friction with the ground is increased to

25°. These liners, GSE-DRS and MRS, are extremely Specialties

well suited for use on slopes and top coverings. Co-extrusion makes it possible to manufacture lin-

These make the use of steeper slopes possible, ers combining all the best characteristics of various

whereby the content of a depot can be considerably qualities of polyethylene. By applying two layers of

increased. These liners can be welded in the same HDPE to a core of VLDPE, a flexible liner with high

way as smooth liner. chemical resistance occurs.

There are also liners available with colored upper

Gundseal surfaces, reducing heat absorption. Using Gundnet,

By applying a layer of high-quality sodium bentonite HDPE drainage net, a drainage system can be cre-

to the upper surface of the HDPE liner, a sealing ated for detecting leaks or for placing overpressure

construction occurs that does not require welding underneath the liner, whereby leaks can be pre-

with special apparatus. The bentonite expands when vented.

in contact with water, whereby the connections and

any damage can be sealed watertight.

Trisoplast Drainmat

Geogrid

GSE HDPE

Anchor trench

Building worldwide on our strength

 g e o m e m b r a n e s

GSE
all   information,   illustrations   and   specifications  
are based on the most recent product infor-
mation at the time of printing. All rights reser-
verd. For the most recent details. see www.
cofra.com

GSE liner® technical specifications

Physical characteristics Standard Unit GSE-HD GSE-HD GSE- GSE-VFPE

MRS/DRS VFPE MRS/DRS
Material HDPE HDPE rough LLDPE LLDPE rough
Carbon Black content ASTM D1603 % 2 2 2 2
Thermal stability ASTM D3895 min 100 100 100 100
Environmental Stress Crack ASTM D1693 hours >1,500 >1,500 >1,500 >1,500
Dimensional stability DIN 53377 % ±2 ±2 ±2 ±2
Mass DIN 53479 g/cc 0.94 0.94 0.939 0.939

Mechanical characteristics
2
Breaking strength DIN 53255 N/mm 35 35 26 26
2
Tensile strength DIN 53255 N/mm 17 17 – –
Maximum elasticity DIN 53255 % 800 800 750 750
Biaxial elasticity DIN 53255 % 11 11 70 70
Tear strength DIN 53515 N/mm 285 280 107 107
Puncture resistance FTMS 101 N/mm 440 440 500 500
Water absorption DIN 53521 % < 0.1 < 0.1 < 0.1 < 0.1

Dimensions
Roll length (2 mm) m 100 80 100 80
Roll width m 7.5 7.5 7.5 7.5
Roll weight kg 1,430 1,200 1,400 1,200
A m s t e r d a m B r a t i s l a v a S i n g a p o r e S t o c k h o l m

leak detection SENSOR ®

Sensor DDS

Leak detection systems that permanently check the Advantages of Sensor DDS

integrity of the liner are being made compulsory - Additional quality control is possible

on more and more projects. One of the most com- - Early detection of damage prevents expensive

monly applied systems is the Sensor DDS system. repairs

The Sensor DDS system consists of a web of flex- - Simple detection through advanced technology

ible sensors placed under the liner. All sensors are - Clear location of defects using advanced software

connected to a portable logger placed in a central - Additional costs are minimal compared to the total

registration box alongside the project. After the investment

liner has been installed, a positive electrical charge - Any contamination is quickly detected

is placed into the refuse dump and activated. Any

deviation in the tension field caused by a leak in With the Sensor DDS system, it is possible to detect

the liner will be detected. All details registered by leaks either while installing the liner or afterwards.

the logger will be translated into three-dimensional The system can thus be used as a permanent liner

graphs using special software showing the exact sealant surveillance system. An automatic alarm

location of damage. These points can be detected system directly reports damage to an incident room

and repaired within a few hours. so that immediate action can be taken to prevent

contamination of the vicinity. Sensor DDS is the

perfect defense against contamination for:

0
- Legal authorities
1

2 - Liner sealant users

3
- Quality control organizations
4

10

A B C D E F G H J K L M N O P

Deviation in the electric field

Applications References

In principle, DDS can be used for all types of Sensor DDS has been used successfully as a

synthetic liners aimed at installing an imperme- liner damage detection system on more than 300

able underground layer. The system can be used in projects in 16 countries since 1995. Meanwhile,

depots where either solid or liquid substances are more than three million square meters of liner have

stored. Some common applications are: been tested with a permanent surveillance system

- Basins for wastewater being applied to more than 2.5 million meters of

- Dam liners liner.

- Landfills

- Lowered railways and roads

(+)

(-)

Cross section Sensor technology

Building worldwide on our strength

 A m s t e r d a m B r a t i s l a v a S i n g a p o r e S t o c k h o l m

c u t - o f f w a l l s

Geolock ®

Vertical cut-off walls for civil and Geolock is a synthetic HDPE-liner cut-off wall

environmental engineering with a welded HDPE extruded locking construc-

The number of contaminated sites discovered in the tion. This locking construction guarantees optimum

Netherlands is still rising daily. The ground is also waterproofing, preventing the leaking of contami-

contaminated in many places as a result of indus- nated groundwater. Geolock is not only suitable for

trial work or leaking storage tanks. Cleaning up isolating contaminated ground, but can also be

the contaminated ground is very expensive, and applied to several other cut-off wall constructions

technically and financially not always feasible. for civil engineering.

Contaminated ground can also be decontaminated

on location by flushing with water or steam. This Synthetic cut-off walls

solution is also not financially attractive for large Strict demands are placed on synthetic damming

areas of contamination. screens for isolating landfills:

An alternative, in these cases, is enclosing the - Complete water and/or gas impermeability also for

contaminated ground, whereby the contamination the underside

cannot spread. In answer to this problem, Cofra has - Flexibility in connection with settlement of the

developed a watertight system called Geolock. ground

- Suitable for installation in all types of ground

- Simple installation procedure

Outside - Tear proof
Landfill
- Chemically resistant

- Long life (at least 100 years)

- Suitable for installation to a depth of 40 meters

- Resistant to the harmful effects of plant growth

Testing tube
and rodents

- Resistant to the harmful effects of decay and

micro-organisms

Inside It is not easy to develop a screen satisfying all of

landfill
these demands.
 The number of materials that may be used for this This in no way affects the permeability of the entire

purpose is very limited: only clay, bentonite and a construction. The locking section is welded to

number of synthetics may be considered. Cofra’s the liner by hot wedge welding. This hot wedge

vast experience with the application of synthetics in method has also been successfully applied to liner

civil engineering simplified the choice; a synthetic constructions for refuse dumps. In principle, the

HDPE liner (high-density polyethylene) dam wall screens can be produced to any required length.

construction and an HDPE locking section. Bearing in mind transport and storage, a maximum

length of 15 m has been set.

Geolock

The cross section of the locking section is based on 2

four different characteristics:

1. The male section with two barbed hooks.

2. An HDPE liner panel with a thickness of 1.5 to

3
2.5 mm welded to the locking section.
1
3. The female section surrounding the male section
4
of the already installed screen, thereby ensuring

a tensile connection.

4. An expansion section that expands on contact

with water producing a watertight seal.

Normally, a liner of just 2 mm thickness is sufficient

for a good seal. The locking section is 5 mm thick Larger panel lengths of up to 40 m are assembled

so that a connection occurs that is stronger than the on the construction site. A unique characteristic of

liner, and tensions during or after installation can Geolock is that the lock can be made completely

be absorbed. Even if the subsoil is considerably watertight. For this purpose, an expansion section

deformed, the locking section will not let go, but will is made in the groove of the lock. This expansion

elongate the liner. section is made of rubber, neoprene synthetic com-

pound that expands on contact with water.

Building worldwide on our strength

 Depending on the condition of the groundwater, Meanwhile, the system has been applied in a large

the section can expand to ten times its original number of countries including Japan, US, UK and

volume. Italy. As well as isolation systems for refuse dumps,

it has been used with cut-off walls for lowered

Chemical resistance highways, aquaducts and dams as well as gas-

Geolock is resistant to a large number of chemicals, proof screens in places where methane gas has

including acids, salts, bases, alcohol, oils and hydro- penetrated surrounding buildings. It is also an

carbons. A number of tests have also been carried effective vertical sealant for vacuum drainage.

out on leakages from refuse dumps and chemical

waste depots. It appeared that Geolock is resistant Installation methods

to a number of combinations of chemicals as used Geolock can be installed using a steel plate in

in practice. combination with a vibrator to place the panels at

the correct depth. This system is only suitable for

Applications installation in relatively soft subsoil. For installation

In principle, Geolock’s range of application is divided at greater depths, a bentonite/cement wall is always

into three groups: constructed beforehand in which the Geolock screen

- Vertical isolation of contaminated ground can be installed. The advantage of this method is that

- Cut-off walls in civil engineering a completely waterproof construction is produced.

- Gastight screens at lower groundwater levels In this way, installation is also possible in any type

of ground and to a greater depth. A check on the

Thickness Depth k - value
locking connection is possible with the application
(m/year)
of a precursor during installation or by using an
Geolock 4 10 1
electronic control system.
Bentonite/cement 600 70 50

Geolock/bentonite 150 50 0.5

Bentonite screen 150 25 500

Building worldwide on our strength

 c u t - o f f w a l l s

Geolock ®

All values are based on averages. There are

standard variations of 10% for mechanical
and 20% for hydraulic characteristics.

All information, illustrations and specifica-

tions are based on the most recent prod-
uct information at the time of printing.
All rights reserved. For the most recent
details, see www.cofra.com.

Geolock® technical specifications

Physical properties ASTM Unit Required Geolock

Material HDPE HDPE
Carbon black content D1603 % >2 2.5
Thermal stability D3895 min >20 2000
Environmental stress crack D1693 hours 1000 1500
Resistance to low temperatures D746 °C - 80 - 80
Dimensional stability D1204 % ± 2 ± 2
Mass D1505 g/cc 0.94 0.94
Melt index D1238 g/10min 0.3 0.3

Mechanical properties
Breaking strength (2 mm liner) D638 kN/m 32 34
Lock strength D638 kN/m 40 50
Liner elasticity D638 % >400 >660
Tear strength D1004 N >260 265
Puncture resistance N 450 475
Impact tensile strength 53448 MJ/mm2 350 1000
Biaxial elasticity D638 % 15 15

Hydraulic properties
HDPE permeability D96 m/s 10-14 2.5*10-14
Permeability of 2 mm liner at 10 kPa D96 m3/m2/s 5*10-12 1.3*10-12
Permeability of lock at 10 kPa m3/m/s -- 1.1*10-10
In 50 mm bentonite/cement at 10kPa m3/m/s -- 2.0*10-11

Dimensions
Liner thickness mm 2
Panel width m 2.5
Panel length m 40
Liner Constructions

GSE-liner®, geomembranes
Cofra is the leading fitter of liner sealants in the Netherlands.

- Greater rip and tensile strength than other materials

- Resistant to a large number of chemicals

- The width of the liner (7.5 m) considerably reduces the number of welds

- Checking of materials and welds in own laboratory

Sensor DDS, leak detection

A sophisticated and accurate leak detection system based on electrical

conductivity in the ground.

- Permanent and mobile systems

- Early warning leak detection

- Accurate damage localization

Geolock® cut-off walls

Vertical cut-off walls for environmental and civil engineering.

- Simple installation procedure

- The installation is suitable for all raw materials

- The lock construction ensures optimum waterproofing

Cofra B.V.
Kwadrantweg 9, 1042 AG Amsterdam - The Netherlands
P.O. Box 20694, 1001 NR Amsterdam - The Netherlands
Tel: +31 (0)20 693 45 96
Fax: +31 (0)20 694 14 57
www.cofra.com