Introduction to Concrete Protection Liners

Concrete is a well-accepted structural material, used throughout the world. Large concentrated societies, along with their needs for sewage reticulation systems, waste water treatment plants, establishment of large factories and the frequent use of aggressive chemicals, etc., have created conditions which threatened its performance. Modern demands imposed on concrete structures create a need for corrosion protection systems in various applications. HDPE liners with integrally formed anchors for attachment to concrete are available to create a protective skin to concrete structures. The use of this type of concrete protection is growing rapidly around the world. These liners are generically named CPLs (Concrete Protection Liners or Corrosion Protection Liners). The paper deals with a clear description of CPLs, the basics of anchor design and performance, motivation for their use, typical applications, installation and jointing, testing and industry standards. It serves to open up a constructive discussion on additional uses for geo-synthetics, dealing with existing structures under threat, opportunities in the pre-cast concrete industry, major projects around the world (especially the DTSS — Deep Tunnel Sewer System in Singapore) and ways to ensure that industry standards keep pace with product developments.