Geomembranes Seams – are we in control?
- Eric
- Jan 17
- 1 min read
Geotechnical Frontiers – Louisville, March 2-4, 2025
Organized with the support of ASTM D35.10 on Geomembranes and IGS Technical Committee on Barriers
Description
Seams are often the weakest locations, that determine the watertightness of a geomembrane-lined containment structure. While seam quality criteria have been around for some time, how effective are they at ensuring the quality of seams? Are all geomembrane materials equally easy, or difficult to seam? In the first part of this session, short presentations will be made to: introduce current specifications qualifying seams or assisting in controlling their quality; review field issues affecting the quality of seams; review typical situations leading to seam failure; and expose key findings of current research on the long-term performance of seams. The second part of the session will be dedicated to a discussion panel encouraging questions from the audience and sharing of experience. The goal is to identify consensual positions and potential areas of improvement.
Moderators
Eric Blond (Moderator, for ASTM D35.10)
Amir Shahkolahi (Moderator, for IGS TCB)
Panelists
Eric Lamontagne, GE Environmental
George Koerner, Geosynthetic Institute
Richard Thiel, Thiel Engineering
Eddie Weiser, Leister
Dave McLaury, Consultant
Kerry Rowe, Queens University
Todd Harman, Hallaton
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