ASTM D7700-15

Standard Guide for Selecting Test Methods for Geomembrane Seams

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 There are a large number of geomembrane types and seaming techniques. This guide is intended to help practitioners select the appropriate seam test methods for their material.  
4.2 Geomembranes are relatively impermeable planar materials sheets that are shipped either as rolls or folded panels. The panels may be seamed in a factory or in the field. This guide provides geomembrane users with the most appropriate seam evaluation techniques for the most common geomembrane materials available on the market.  
4.3 Some type of geomembrane may not be listed and some seam evaluation techniques may offer a good performance with a given material although this may not be indicated on Table 1. Users who are aware of this situation are invited to contact ASTM to propose an update of this guide.
   X  =  Applicable   —  =  Not Applicable  
Note 1: This type of test not commonly performed on this type of material, but it can be performed if desired.
Note 2: While Test Method D6392 was originally developed for non-reinforced geomembranes, it is standard practice for some manufacturers, fabricators, designers, and installers to use this method for reinforced products. However, a new standard test method is being worked on in D35.10 for seam evaluation of reinforced geomembranes, which shall be preferred to Test Method D6392 as soon as it is available.
Note 3: Only provides evaluation of seam continuity, but not seam strength.
Note 4: May not be applicable to very flexible geomembranes, especially thinner ones, that will highly deform into the vacuum box.
Note 5: There are some experiences with air lance on HDPE geomembrane seams for hole detection, although this is not common practice.
Note 6: Typically applicable to materials that are 1.0 mm and thinner.
Note 7: When applicable.
Note 8: Applicable to dual track seam only.
Note 9: Not applicable to extrusion fillet.
Note 10: Applicable to factory seams only.
Note 11: Refer to Guide D6747.  
4.4 The r...
SCOPE
1.1 This guide is intended for use as a summary of test methods necessary to evaluate geomembrane seams. It is intended to guide geomembrane users toward the appropriate evaluation techniques to assess geomembrane seam quality.  
1.2 Geomembrane seams covered by this guide are: high-density polyethylene (HDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), very low-density polyethylene (VLDPE), flexible polypropylene (fPP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM), prefabricated bituminous geomembranes (PBGM), Ethylene Interpolymer Alloy (EIA) and reinforced geomembranes  
1.3 Although a significant effort has been made to gather all types of geomembranes and related evaluation techniques which were on the market at the date of completion of this document, some available materials and technologies may have been omitted. The information presented in this document shall thus be considered to be non exhaustive.  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.5 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2015
• ICS: 59.080.70 - Geotextiles
• Technical Committee: D35 - Geosynthetics
• Drafting Committee: D35.10 - Geomembranes

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D7700 − 15
Standard Guide for
1
Selecting Test Methods for Geomembrane Seams
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7700; 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 D5641 Practice for Geomembrane Seam Evaluation by
Vacuum Chamber
1.1 This guide is intended for use as a summary of test
D5820 Practice for Pressurized Air Channel Evaluation of
methods necessary to evaluate geomembrane seams. It is
Dual Seamed Geomembranes
intended to guide geomembrane users toward the appropriate
D6214/D6214M Test Method for Determining the Integrity
evaluation techniques to assess geomembrane seam quality.
of Field Seams Used in Joining Geomembranes by
1.2 Geomembrane seams covered by this guide are: high-
Chemical Fusion Methods
density polyethylene (HDPE), linear low-density polyethylene
D6365 Practice for the Nondestructive Testing of Geomem-
(LLDPE), very low-density polyethylene (VLDPE), flexible
brane Seams using the Spark Test
polypropylene (fPP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), ethylene pro-
D6392 Test Method for Determining the Integrity of Nonre-
pylene diene terpolymer (EPDM), prefabricated bituminous
inforced Geomembrane Seams Produced Using Thermo-
geomembranes (PBGM), Ethylene Interpolymer Alloy (EIA)
Fusion Methods
and reinforced geomembranes
D6747 GuideforSelectionofTechniquesforElectricalLeak
1.3 Although a significant effort has been made to gather all
Location of Leaks in Geomembranes
types of geomembranes and related evaluation techniques
D7002 Practice for Electrical Leak Location on Exposed
which were on the market at the date of completion of this
Geomembranes Using the Water Puddle Method
document, some available materials and technologies may
D7006 Practice for Ultrasonic Testing of Geomembranes
havebeenomitted.Theinformationpresentedinthisdocument
D7007 Practices for Electrical Methods for Locating Leaks
shall thus be considered to be non exhaustive.
in Geomembranes Covered with Water or Earthen Mate-
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
rials
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
D7056 Test Method for Determining the Tensile Shear
standard.
Strength of Pre-Fabricated Bituminous Geomembrane
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Seams
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
D7177 Specification for Air Channel Evaluation of Polyvi-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
nyl Chloride (PVC) Dual Track Seamed Geomembranes
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
D7272 Test Method for Determining the Integrity of Seams
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Used in Joining Geomembranes by Pre-manufactured
Taped Methods
2. Referenced Documents
D7408 Specification for Non Reinforced PVC (Polyvinyl
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Chloride) Geomembrane Seams
D4437 Practice for Non-destructive Testing (NDT) for De-
D7747 Test Method for Determining Integrity of Seams
termining the Integrity of Seams Used in Joining Flexible
Produced Using Thermo-Fusion Methods for Reinforced
Polymeric Sheet Geomembranes
Geomembranes by the Strip Tensile Method
D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
D7749 Test Method for Determining Integrity of Seams
Produced Using Thermo-Fusion Methods for Reinforced
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on
Geomembranes by the Grab Method
GeosyntheticsandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD35.10onGeomem-
branes.
Current edition approved May 1, 2015. Published May 2015. Originally 3. Terminology
approved in 2012. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as D7700–12 . DOI:
3.1 Definitions:
10.1520/D7700–15
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
3.1.1 destructive technique, n—a method of seam testing
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
requiring that a sample be removed from the fabricated or
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. installed geomembrane for further evaluation.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D7700 − 15
TABLE 1 Seam Evaluation Techniques and Their Applicability to Different Geomembrane Materials
Non-Reinforced Polyolefin
Non Reinforced Ethylene
Geomembranes
PolyvinylChloride Propylene Diene
Type of Seam ASTM Test Method/ Bituminous
All other types of
(PVC) and Terpolymer Other Reinforced
Evaluation Type of Geomembranes
nonr
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D7700 − 12 D7700 − 15
Standard Guide for
1
Selecting Test Methods for Geomembrane Seams
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7700; 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
1.1 This guide is intended for use as a summary of test methods necessary to evaluate geomembrane seams. It is intended to
guide geomembrane users toward the appropriate evaluation techniques to assess geomembrane seam quality.
1.2 Geomembrane seams covered by this guide are: high-density polyethylene (HDPE), linear low-density polyethylene
(LLDPE), very low-density polyethylene (VLDPE), flexible polypropylene (fPP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), ethylene propylene
diene terpolymer (EPDM), prefabricated bituminous geomembranes (PBGM), Ethylene Interpolymer Alloy (EIA) and reinforced
geomembranes
1.3 Although a significant effort has been made to gather all types of geomembranes and related evaluation techniques which
were on the market at the date of completion of this document, some available materials and technologies may have been omitted.
The information presented in this document shall thus be considered to be non exhaustive.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.5 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D751 Test Methods for Coated Fabrics
D4437 Practice for Non-destructive Testing (NDT) for Determining the Integrity of Seams Used in Joining Flexible Polymeric
Sheet Geomembranes
D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
D5641 Practice for Geomembrane Seam Evaluation by Vacuum Chamber
D5820 Practice for Pressurized Air Channel Evaluation of Dual Seamed Geomembranes
D6214D6214/D6214M Test Method for Determining the Integrity of Field Seams Used in Joining Geomembranes by Chemical
Fusion Methods
D6365 Practice for the Nondestructive Testing of Geomembrane Seams using the Spark Test
D6392 Test Method for Determining the Integrity of Nonreinforced Geomembrane Seams Produced Using Thermo-Fusion
Methods
D6747 Guide for Selection of Techniques for Electrical Leak Location of Leaks in Geomembranes
D7002 Practice for Electrical Leak Location on Exposed Geomembranes Using the Water Puddle Method
D7006 Practice for Ultrasonic Testing of Geomembranes
D7007 Practices for Electrical Methods for Locating Leaks in Geomembranes Covered with Water or Earthen Materials
D7056 Test Method for Determining the Tensile Shear Strength of Pre-Fabricated Bituminous Geomembrane Seams
D7177 Specification for Air Channel Evaluation of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Dual Track Seamed Geomembranes
D7272 Test Method for Determining the Integrity of Seams Used in Joining Geomembranes by Pre-manufactured Taped
Methods
D7408 Specification for Non Reinforced PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) Geomembrane Seams
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.10 on Geomembranes.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2012May 1, 2015. Published January 2012May 2015. Originally approved in 2012. Last previous edition approved in 2012 as D7700–12
. DOI: 10.1520/D7700–1210.1520/D7700–15
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D7700 − 15
D7747 Test Method for Determining Integrity of Seams Produced Using Thermo-Fusion Methods for Reinforced Geomem-
branes by the Strip Tensile Method
D7749 Test Method for Determining Integrity of Seams Produced Using Thermo-Fusion Methods for Reinforced Geomem-
branes by the Grab Method
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 destructive technique, n—a method of seam testing requiring that a sample be removed from the fabr
...