GRI-GM19b Specification

Seam Strength & Related Properties of Thermally

Bonded Reinforced Geomembranes/Barriers

• specification compliments GM18, GM22, GM25,

GM28, GM30
• addresses LLDPE-R, PE-R, cPE, fPP-R, CSPE-R
• all of these materials contain a reinforcement
(fabric scrim) layer within plys or coatings for
strength and impermeabilization
• addresses shear and peel testing
• both hot wedge and extrusion fillet
• also, hot air and ultrasonic bonding
• it does not include sewn seams

1
 Preliminary Comments
• focuses on ASTM D7747
• includes shear and peel strengths
• includes shear elongation and peel
separation
• gives unacceptable locus-of-break
patterns (codes)

2
Seam Cross Sections

3
Field Sampling of GM Seams
• no formalized procedure or standard
• EPA technical guidance manual is available
EPA 600/R-93/182 (September, 1993) by
Koerner & Daniel… but it’s dated!
• typical spacing of 1 sample per 150 m (500
ft.) is suggested
• interval is fixed based on “old” technology
using solvent and extrusion flat methods
• interval should be made flexible with modern
seaming improvements such as automated
seaming along with the quality of installation

4
 Methods of Statistically Based
Field Sampling Strategies
• can follow Method of Attributes (GRI-GM14) or
Method of Control Charts (GRI-GM20)
• rewards “good” installers (with larger sampling
intervals)… but also
• penalizes “poor” installers (with closer
sampling intervals)
• needs original and ongoing statistics and tends
to be for larger projects

5
 ASTM D7747
Thermo-Fusion Seam Strength
for Reinforced Geomembranes
• 5 specimens for shear and 5 specimens for peel
• all ten must pass specification values
• values are reported as “minimum-average”
• length of 150 mm (6.0 in.) plus seam width
• use Method “A” width of 25 mm (1.0 in.)
• conditions are 21  2°C (70  4°F) at 20-40% RH
Shear
Test Peel Test

7
Specimen Sampling Pattern

8
 Shear Test
• grip separation 75 mm (3.0 in.) plus seam width
• crosshead speed is 300 mm/min (12 in./min)
• elongate specimen until;
• rupture of reinforcement and coating, or
• separation of weld, or
• separation-in-plane across entire weld
• record load at peak and Break Code
• all five tests must pass specification
• report minimum-average value

9
Shear Test
Photo 1

10
Shear Test
Photo 2

11
Shear Test
Photo 3

12
Shear Test
Photo 4

13
Shear Test
Photo 5

14
 Peel Test
• grip separation is 25 mm(1.0 in.)
• crosshead speed is 50 mm/min (2.0 in./min)
• elongate specimen until;
• rupture of reinforcement and coating, or
• separation of weld, or
• separation-in-plane across entire weld
• record load at peak and Break Code
• all five tests must pass specification
• report minimum-average value
Peel Test
Photo 1

16
Peel Test
Photo 2

17
Peel Test
Photo 3

18
Peel Test
Photo 4

19
Peel Test
Photo 5

20
Peel Test
Photo 6

21
 Regarding SIP Failures
• separation-in-plane (SIP) is disconcerting
• generally occurs in peel testing
• can “travel” within sheet a considerable
distance
• often travels adjacent to fabric scrim
• it’s okay if strength is met or exceeded

22
Various SIP Break Codes

23
 Concluding Comments
• spec addresses scrim reinforced geomembranes
and barriers
• alternatively see GRI-GM19a for homogeneous
(non-scrim) geomembranes
• scrim polymer, type and style is not addressed
• resin type is identified but not formulation details
• silent on manufacturing or fabrication details
• addresses hot wedge, hot air, ultrasonic and
extrusion seams
• does not address sewn seams or combined
sewn/extrusion seams
24
 The Basic Tables Follow
(U.S. Standard Units and SI (metric) Units)

• LLDPE-R; thickness, shear, peel

• PE-R; thickness, shear, peel
• cPE; thickness, shear, peel
• fPP-R; thickness, shear, peel
• CSPE-R; thickness, shear, peel
Note: The most recent version of this specification (text
and tables) is available on the GSI Web Site
<[Link]>.

25
 U.S. Standard Units

Table 1(a) – Seam Strength of Thermally Bonded Reinforced Linear Low Density
Polyethylene (LLDPE-R) Geomembranes Made According to GRI-GM25(2)
Property Test Method Min. Value Min. Value
Sheet Thickness D5199
• nominal (mils) (Method A) 36 45
Hot Wedge/Air Seams(1) D7747
• shear strength, lb 75 90
• peel strength, lb 30 30
Other Seam Types D7747
• shear strength, lb 80 100
• peel strength, lb 30 30
(1) Also for other possible seaming methods, e.g., ultrasonic
(2) Values are based on 1.0 in. (25 mm) wide strip tensile strength per D7747 for laboratory
tested specimens
SI (Metric) Units
Table 1(b) – Seam Strength of Thermally Bonded Reinforced Linear Low Density
Polyethylene (LLDPE-R) Geomembranes Made According to GRI-GM25(2)
Property Test Method Min. Value Min. Value
Sheet Thickness D5199
• nominal (mm) (Method A) 0.91 1.14
Hot Wedge/Air Seams(1) D7747
• shear strength, N 330 400
• peel strength, N 130 130
Other Seam Types D7747
• shear strength, N 350 440
• peel strength, N 130 130
(1) Also for other possible seaming, e.g., ultrasonic
(2) Values are based on 25 mm (1.0 in.) wide strip tensile strength per D7747 for laboratory
tested specimens
26
 U.S. Standard Units

Table 2(a) - Seam Strength of Thermally Bonded Polyethylene

Reinforced (PE-R) Barrier Seams Made According to GRI-GB22(2)

Property Test Method Min. Value Min. Value Min. Value

Sheet Thickness D5199
• nominal (mils) 8.0 12.0 20.0
Hot Wedge/Air Seams (1) D7747
• shear strength (lb) 12 18 24
• peel strength (lb) 6 7 9
(1) Also for other possible seaming methods, e.g., ultrasonic
(2) Values are based on 1.0 in. (25 mm) wide strip tensile strength per D7747 for laboratory
tested specimens

SI (Metric) Units

Table 2(b) - Seam Strength of Thermally Bonded Polyethylene

Reinforced (PE-R) Barrier Seams Made According to GRI-GB22(2)

Property Test Method Min. Value Min. Value Min. Value

Sheet Thickness D5199
• nominal (mm) (Method A) 0.20 0.30 0.50
Hot Wedge/Air Seams(1) D7747
• shear strength (N) 53 80 106
• peel strength (N) 53 66 80
(1) Also for other possible seaming methods, e.g., ultrasonic
(2) Values are based on 25 mm (1.0 in.) wide strip tensile strength per D7747 for laboratory
tested specimens

27
 U.S. Standard Units

Table 3(a) - Seam Strength of Thermally Bonded Coated Polyethylene (cPE)

Reinforced Barrier Seams Made According to GRI-GB30(2)
Property Test Method Min. Value Min. Value Min. Value
Sheet Thickness D5199
• nominal (mils) (Method A) 24 30 40
Hot Wedge/Air Seams (1) D7747
• shear strength (lb) 30 60 90
• peel strength (lb) 10 10 10
Other Seam Types D7747
• shear strength (lb) 30 60 90
• peel strength (lb) 10 10 10
(1) Also for other possible seaming methods, e.g., ultrasonic
(2) Values are based on 1.0 in. (25 mm) wide strip tensile strength per D7747 for laboratory
tested specimens
SI (Metric) Units
Table 3(b) - Seam Strength of Thermally Bonded Coated Polyethylene (cPE)
Reinforced Barrier Seams Made According to GRI-GB30(2)
Property Test Method Min. Value Min. Value Min. Value
Sheet Thickness D5199
• nominal (mm) (Method A) 0.61 0.76 1.02
Hot Wedge/Air Seams (1) D7747
• shear strength (N) 130 270 400
• peel strength (N) 45 45 45
Other Seam Types D7747
• shear strength (N) 130 270 400
• peel strength (N) 45 45 45
(1) Also for other possible seaming methods, e.g., ultrasonic
(2) Values are based on 25 mm (1.0 in.) wide strip tensile strength per D7747 for laboratory
tested specimens 28
 U.S. Standard Units

Table 4(a) – Seam Strength of Thermally Bonded Reinforced Flexible

Polypropylene (fPP-R) Geomembranes Made According to GRI-GM18(2)
Property Test Method Min. Value Min. Value Min. Value
Sheet Thickness D5199
• nominal (mils) (Method A) 36 45 60
Hot Wedge/Air Seams (1) D7747
• shear strength (lb) 50 60 70
• peel strength (lb) 25 25 25
Other Seam Types D7747
• shear strength (lb) 50 60 70
• peel strength (lb) 25 25 25
(1) Also for other possible seaming methods, e.g., ultrasonic
(2) Values are based on 1.0 in. (25 mm) wide strip tensile strength per D7747 for laboratory
tested specimens
SI (Metric) Units

Table 4(b) – Seam Strength of Thermally Bonded Reinforced Flexible

Polypropylene (fPP-R) Geomembranes Made According to GRI-GM18(2)
Property Test Method Min. Value Min. Value Min. Value
Sheet Thickness D5199
• nominal (mm) (Method A) 0.91 1.14 1.52
Hot Wedge/Air Seams (1) D7747
• shear strength (N) 220 270 310
• peel strength (N) 110 110 110
Other Seam Types D7747
• shear strength (N) 220 270 310
• peel strength (N) 110 110 110
(1) Also for other possible seaming methods, e.g., ultrasonic
(2) Values are based on 25 mm (1.0 in.) wide strip tensile strength per D7747 for laboratory
tested specimens 29
 U.S. Standard Units

Table 5(a) - Seam Strength of Thermally Bonded Chlorosulphonated Polyethylene

Reinforced (CSPE-R) Geomembrane Seams Made According to GRI-GM28(2)
Property Test Method Min. Value Min. Value Min. Value
Sheet Thickness D5199
• nominal (mils) (Method A) 36 45 60
Hot Wedge/Air Seams(1) D7747
• shear strength (lb) 40 50 60
• peel strength (lb) 20 20 20
Other Seam Types D7747
• shear strength (lb) 40 50 60
• peel strength (lb) 20 20 20
(1) Also for other possible seaming methods, e.g., ultrasonic
(2) Values are based on 1.0 in. (25 mm) wide strip tensile strength per D7747 for laboratory
tested specimens
SI (Metric) Units

Table 5(b) - Seam Strength of Thermally Bonded Chlorosulphonated Polyethylene

Reinforced (CSPE-R) Geomembrane Seams Made According to GRI-GM28(2)
Property Test Method Min. Value Min. Value Min. Value
Sheet Thickness D5199
• nominal (mm) (Method A) 0.91 1.14 1.52
Hot Wedge/Air Seams(1) D7747
• shear strength (N) 180 220 270
• peel strength (N) 90 90 90
Other Seam Types D7747
• shear strength (N) 180 220 270
• peel strength (N) 90 90 90
(1) Also for other possible seaming methods, e.g., ultrasonic
(2) Values are based on 25 mm (1.0 in.) wide strip tensile strength per D7747 for laboratory
tested specimens 30