Status of the Field Verification of GRI Laboratory Testing on Geosynthetic Ultraviolet Stability

“How long will my geomembrane last?” That question had been asked throughout the engineering community for many years following their introduction. The question inevitably morphed into warranty time on manufactured geosynthetics. The initial response was “20 years” (or thereabouts) based on nominal service lives of building roofing systems where use of geosynthetics had increased the most. Geosynthetic sealing technology moved into the geo-environmental realm in the last decades of the 20th century for use in containing environmental and human health toxins associated with waste disposal (municipal solid and hazardous waste). The stakes were now much higher than simply crafting an appropriate capital recovery amortization schedule to replace the roof before it started to leak. The “warranty” answer quickly became an unsatisfactory solution. Also since such warranties originated from exposed membrane conditions, they were completely inapplicable for landfill base liners. Geosynthetic science as provided by the Geosynthetic Institute has evolved to the point such warranties are really an archaic device that no longer serve a useful purpose. This technical paper will discuss the GRI legacy to the geosynthetic industry with regard to geosynthetic longevity and demonstrates how initial field data is confirming to the initial conclusions the GRI is drawing from its laboratory studies.