Long-Term Assessment of a Layered-Geotextile Protection Layer for Geomembranes
Publication: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 139, Issue 5
Abstract
The effectiveness of layered-geotextile protection layers comprised of combinations of nonwoven needle-punched, woven slit-film, and nonwoven heat-bonded geotextiles to minimize strains in landfill geomembranes is examined. Results from physical experiments are reported where a sustained 700-N force was applied to a 28-mm-diameter machined steel probe on top of the protection layer, which was above a 60-mm-diameter, 1.5-mm-thick high-density polyethylene geomembrane and a 50-mm-thick compressible clay layer. The experiments are intended to simulate the physical conditions in a medium-sized landfill with an average vertical stress of 250 kPa and to capture the mean response with nominal 50-mm coarse gravel above the geomembrane. Screening tests were first conducted for up to 100 h at temperatures up to 55°C to evaluate three different combinations of layered geotextiles. Of those examined, the combination with a low-slack, heat-bonded geotextile above and below a thick, nonwoven, needle-punched geotextile as its central core was found to provide the lowest strains. A time-temperature superposition method was then developed and validated as a means to predict the long-term effectiveness of the most promising layered-geotextile composite. Last, long-term predictions of tensile strain were made and compared with proposed allowable limits. Despite the encouraging results from the short-term screening tests, even the most promising layered-geotextile composite is not recommended as a protection layer to limit long-term geomembrane strains for the particular force, particle size, and materials examined because the predicted strain after 100 years at 22–55°C of exceeds the range of currently proposed limits of 3–8%.
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Acknowledgments
This work was funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada through a Strategic Project Grant in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Terrafix Geosynthetics Inc., Solmax International Inc., AECOM, AMEC Earth and Environmental, Golder Associates, CTT Group, Dr. R. Kerry Rowe from Queen’s University, and Dr. Grace Hsuan from Drexel University.
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Published In
Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
Volume 139 • Issue 5 • May 2013
Pages: 752 - 764
Copyright
© 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jan 24, 2012
Accepted: Jul 31, 2012
Published online: Aug 7, 2012
Published in print: May 1, 2013
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