ASTM D4437/D4437M-16(2023)
(Practice)Standard Practice for Nondestructive Testing (NDT) for Determining the Integrity of Seams Used in Joining Flexible Polymeric Sheet Geomembranes
Standard Practice for Nondestructive Testing (NDT) for Determining the Integrity of Seams Used in Joining Flexible Polymeric Sheet Geomembranes
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 The use of geomembranes as barrier materials to restrict liquid migration from one location to another in soil and rock, and the large number of seam methods and types used in joining these geomembrane sheets, has created a need for standard tests by which the various seams can be compared and the quality of the seam systems can be nondestructively evaluated. This practice is intended to meet such a need.
3.2 The geomembrane sheet material shall be formulated from the appropriate polymers and compounding ingredients to form a plastic or elastomer sheet material that meets all specified requirements for the end use of the product. The sheet material (reinforced or nonreinforced) shall be capable of being bonded to itself by one of the methods described in 1.2, in accordance with the sheet manufacturer's recommendations and instructions.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice is intended for use as a summary of nondestructive quality control test methods for determining the integrity of seams used in the joining of flexible sheet materials in a geotechnical application. This practice outlines the test procedures available for determining the quality of bonded seams. Any one or combination of the test methods outlined in this practice can be incorporated into a project specification for quality control. These test methods are applicable to manufactured flexible polymeric membrane linings that are scrim reinforced or nonreinforced. This practice is not applicable to destructive testing. For destructive test methods, look at other ASTM standards and practices.
1.2 The types of seams covered by this practice include the following: thermally bonded seams, hot air, hot wedge (or knife), extrusion, solvent-bonded seams, bodied solvent-bonded seams, adhesive-bonded or cemented seams, taped seams, and waterproofed sewn seams.
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in nonconformance with the standard.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D4437/D4437M − 16 (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Practice for
Nondestructive Testing (NDT) for Determining the Integrity
of Seams Used in Joining Flexible Polymeric Sheet
Geomembranes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4437/D4437M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the
year of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last
reapproval. A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This practice is intended for use as a summary of 2.1 ASTM Standards:
nondestructive quality control test methods for determining the D5641/D5641M Practice for Geomembrane Seam Evalua-
integrity of seams used in the joining of flexible sheet materials tion by Vacuum Chamber
in a geotechnical application. This practice outlines the test D5820 Practice for Pressurized Air Channel Evaluation of
procedures available for determining the quality of bonded Dual-Seamed Geomembranes
seams. Any one or combination of the test methods outlined in D6365 Practice for Nondestructive Testing of Geomembrane
this practice can be incorporated into a project specification for Seams Using the Spark Test
quality control. These test methods are applicable to manufac- D7006 Practice for Ultrasonic Testing of Geomembranes
tured flexible polymeric membrane linings that are scrim D7177/D7177M Specification for Air Channel Evaluation of
reinforced or nonreinforced. This practice is not applicable to Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Dual Track Seamed Geomem-
destructive testing. For destructive test methods, look at other branes
ASTM standards and practices.
3. Significance and Use
1.2 The types of seams covered by this practice include the
3.1 The use of geomembranes as barrier materials to restrict
following: thermally bonded seams, hot air, hot wedge (or
liquid migration from one location to another in soil and rock,
knife), extrusion, solvent-bonded seams, bodied solvent-
and the large number of seam methods and types used in
bonded seams, adhesive-bonded or cemented seams, taped
joining these geomembrane sheets, has created a need for
seams, and waterproofed sewn seams.
standard tests by which the various seams can be compared and
1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
the quality of the seam systems can be nondestructively
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
evaluated. This practice is intended to meet such a need.
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
3.2 The geomembrane sheet material shall be formulated
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
from the appropriate polymers and compounding ingredients to
values from the two systems may result in nonconformance
form a plastic or elastomer sheet material that meets all
with the standard.
specified requirements for the end use of the product. The sheet
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
material (reinforced or nonreinforced) shall be capable of being
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
bonded to itself by one of the methods described in 1.2, in
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
accordance with the sheet manufacturer’s recommendations
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
and instructions.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
4. Nondestructive Test Methods
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
4.1 For all test methods listed below, any and all flaws in
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
seam construction that are detected under a given test proce-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
dure shall be repaired. All nondestructive test methods listed
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
are not necessarily applicable to all polymeric geomembrane
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
materials.
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on Geosyn-
thetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.10 on Geomembranes. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2023. Published November 2023. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as D4437/D4437M – 16 Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
(2018). DOI: 10.1520/D4437_D4437M-16R23. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D4437/D4437M − 16 (2023)
4.2 Air Lance Test—Inspect all seams for unbonded areas test head and lining. The ultrasonic signal shall be capable of
using an air nozzle directed on the upper seam edge and surface being viewed on a monitor and capable of triggering an audible
to detect loose edges, riffles indicating unbonded areas within alarm when a disconti
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.