H. Laboratory testing of each seam sample shall be coordinated by the CQA
Consultant and performed by an independent geosynthetic testing laboratory
paid for by OWNER. Two samples will be tested for shear and five samples for
peel (10 peel tests total for fusion welds as both edges of the weld must be
tested). Two passing shear tests and 4 out of 5 passing peel tests (9 out of 10
for fusion welds) are required for an acceptable seam. The minimum
acceptable values for passing the tests shall be those listed in Paragraph
3.5.D.4 of this Section.
]. Field testing (peel and shear) of all seam samples obtained from production
seams shall be performed by the Installation Contractor and observed by the
CQA Consultant prior to the shipment of the samples to an independent
geosynthetics testing laboratory. Failed field tests may constitute a failed seam
and further 3rd party testing may or may not be performed by OWNER. The
Installation Contractor is responsible for providing and operating an on-site
tensiometer and corresponding sample cutting equipment to perform all field
destructive seam testing.
J. If the results of either the field or laboratory tests do not meet the above
requirements, then the associated seam shall be reconstructed or capped
between any two passing test seam locations, or intermediate tests may be
performed on both sides of the location of the failed test sample to further
isolate the defective seam area. If intermediate field test seams pass,
laboratory test seams shall be performed on samples from the same locations.
If laboratory test seams also pass, then the seam shall be reconstructed or
capped between the intermediate sample locations. If either of the test seams
fail, then the process shall be repeated with intermediate samples further away
from the original failing seam location to determine the defective seam area.
K. Each seam shall be bounded by two locations where seam samples passed the
laboratory tests. Whenever a reconstructed seam exceeds 150 feet, an
additional sample for laboratory testing shall be obtained from along the
reconstructed seam. At the CQA Consultant’s discretion, it may be necessary to
take additional samples from seams welded on the same day by seaming
equipment that produced seams that did not pass seam strength requirements.
L. After large areas of GGomembrane are seamed and before they are covered,
large wrinkles shall be cut, re-seamed, and tested.
M. If a seam is located where non-destructive testing cannot be performed, the
seam shall, at the discretion of the CQA Consultant, be liner-stripped (capped)
and the liner-stripping operation shall be observed by the CQA Consultant and
Installation Contractor for completeness.
N. Results and locations for all laboratory and field destructive testing and non-
destructive field testing shall be displayed by the Installation Contractor on the
as-built drawing.
File No. 3066.09.00 Geomembrane 02550 - 13 of 14 December 2017
