ASTM D7852-13(2022)

Standard Practice for Use of an Electrically Conductive Geotextile for Leak Location Surveys

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 With the increased use of geomembranes as a barrier material to restrict liquid migration from one location to another, a need has been created for standardized tests by which the integrity of the installed geomembrane, including the seams, can be evaluated. This practice is intended to meet such a need whenever the subgraded soil is nonconductive, or a geomembrane is installed on a nonconductive material.  
5.2 The use of a suitably conductive geotextile installed between a nonconductive soil or material and the geomembrane will permit electrical leak location survey to be conducted.  
5.3 The compatibility of a conductive geotextile and leak location equipment shall be assessed for each leak location technique considered (covered or exposed, when applicable). A realistic small-scale test shall have been conducted by the supplier of geotextile and/or leak detection equipment to demonstrate their mutual compatibility for a given leak detection technique.
SCOPE
1.1 This standard practice describes standard procedures for using a conductive geotextile with electrical methods to locate leaks in exposed geomembranes and geomembranes covered with water or earth materials containing moisture.  
1.2 This standard practice provides guidance for the use of appropriate conductive geotextile used in leak location survey on geomembrane. This guide includes all types of conductive geotextile with sufficient conductivity for the particular electrical leak location method. A conductive geotextile is applicable to all types of geoelectric surveys when there is otherwise not a conductive layer under the geomembrane.  
1.3 The leak stream itself being adequately conductive. A conductive geotextile is applicable to all types of geoelectric surveys when there is otherwise not a conductive layer under the geomembrane.  
1.4 This standard practice is intended to ensure that leak location surveys can always be performed with a reasonable level of certainty. This standard practice provides guidance for the use of appropriate conductive geotextile used in leak location survey on geomembranes.  
1.5 Leak location surveys can be used on nonconductive geomembranes installed in basins, ponds, tanks, ore and waste pads, landfill cells, landfill caps, other containment facilities, and building applications such as in parking garages, decks, and green roofs. The procedures are applicable for geomembranes made of nonconductive materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, bituminous material, and other electrically insulating materials. Leak location survey involving conductive or partially conductive geomembranes are not within the scope of this document.  
1.6 Warning—The electrical methods used for geomembrane leak location could use high voltages, resulting in the potential for electrical shock or electrocution. This hazard might be increased because operations might be conducted in or near water. In particular, a high voltage could exist between the water or earth material and earth ground, or any grounded conductor. These procedures are potentially VERY DANGEROUS, and can result in personal injury or death. Because of the high voltage that could be involved, and the shock or electrocution hazard, do not come in electrical contact with any leak unless the excitation power supply is turned off. The electrical methods used for geomembrane leak location should be attempted only by qualified and experienced personnel. Appropriate safety measures must be taken to protect the leak location operators as well as other people at the site.  
1.7 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.  
1.8 This international st...

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 14-Jan-2022
• 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: D7852 − 13 (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Practice for
Use of an Electrically Conductive Geotextile for Leak
Location Surveys
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7852; 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 might be increased because operations might be conducted in
or near water. In particular, a high voltage could exist between
1.1 This standard practice describes standard procedures for
the water or earth material and earth ground, or any grounded
using a conductive geotextile with electrical methods to locate
conductor. These procedures are potentially VERY
leaks in exposed geomembranes and geomembranes covered
DANGEROUS, and can result in personal injury or death.
with water or earth materials containing moisture.
Because of the high voltage that could be involved, and the
1.2 This standard practice provides guidance for the use of
shock or electrocution hazard, do not come in electrical contact
appropriate conductive geotextile used in leak location survey
with any leak unless the excitation power supply is turned off.
on geomembrane. This guide includes all types of conductive
The electrical methods used for geomembrane leak location
geotextile with sufficient conductivity for the particular elec-
should be attempted only by qualified and experienced person-
trical leak location method. A conductive geotextile is appli-
nel. Appropriate safety measures must be taken to protect the
cable to all types of geoelectric surveys when there is otherwise
leak location operators as well as other people at the site.
not a conductive layer under the geomembrane.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
1.3 The leak stream itself being adequately conductive. A
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
conductive geotextile is applicable to all types of geoelectric
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
surveys when there is otherwise not a conductive layer under
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
the geomembrane.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
1.4 This standard practice is intended to ensure that leak
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
location surveys can always be performed with a reasonable
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
level of certainty. This standard practice provides guidance for
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
the use of appropriate conductive geotextile used in leak
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
location survey on geomembranes.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.5 Leak location surveys can be used on nonconductive
geomembranes installed in basins, ponds, tanks, ore and waste
2. Referenced Documents
pads, landfill cells, landfill caps, other containment facilities,
2.1 ASTM Standards:
and building applications such as in parking garages, decks,
D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
and green roofs. The procedures are applicable for geomem-
D6747 Guide for Selection of Techniques for Electrical Leak
branes made of nonconductive materials such as polyethylene,
Location of Leaks in Geomembranes
polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, chlorosulfonated
D7002 Practice for Electrical Leak Location on Exposed
polyethylene, bituminous material, and other electrically insu-
Geomembranes Using the Water Puddle Method
lating materials. Leak location survey involving conductive or
D7007 Practices for Electrical Methods for Locating Leaks
partially conductive geomembranes are not within the scope of
in Geomembranes Covered with Water or Earthen Mate-
this document.
rials
1.6 Warning—The electrical methods used for geomem-
3. Terminology
brane leak location could use high voltages, resulting in the
potential for electrical shock or electrocution. This hazard
3.1 For general definitions related to geosynthetics, see
Terminology D4439.
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 Jan. 15, 2022. Published January 2022. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2013. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D7852 – 13. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D7852-13R22. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D7852 − 13 (2022)
3.2 Definitions: 4.3 Appropriate conductive geotextiles can be used as the
3.2.1 conductive geotextile, n—a geotextile fabricated in a conductive media that is needed under the geomembrane. The
plant using conductive materials, in part or in whole, and methods described in Guide D6747 will require various levels
providing a sufficient electrical conductivity to perform elec- of conductivity of the geotextile depending on the method, the
trical leak location. D7002 conductivity of the media on the geomembrane, the thickness
of the material on the geomembrane, the leak detection
3.2.2 electrical leak location, n—any method which uses
capabilities of the equipment, the leak location survey
electrical current or electrical potential to locate leaks. D7002
parameters, and other factors.
3.2.3 leak, n—for the purposes of this document, a leak is
For exposed geomembranes, one output of an electrical
any unintended opening, perforation, breach, slit, tear,
excitation power supply is connected to an electrode placed in
puncture, crack, or seam breach through which liquid can flow.
a water puddle created on top of the geomembrane. For
Scratches, gouges, dents, or other aberrations that do not
covered geomembranes, the most common implementation of
completely penetrate the geomembrane are not considered to
this method is to make dipole measurements using two moving
be leaks. Leaks detected during surveys have been grouped
electrodes spaced a constant distance apart. Pole measurements
into five categories: (1) Holes—round shaped voids which may
can also be made by making potential measurements on the
or may not have downward or upward protruding rims, (2)
protective soil cover using one moving electrode referenced to
Tears—linear or areal voids with irregular edge borders, (3)
a second distant electrode. In both cases, the other output of the
Linear cuts—linear voids with neat close edges, (4) Seam
power supply is connected to an electrode clamped to the
defects—area of separation between sheets, and (5) Burned
el
...

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: D7852 − 13 D7852 − 13 (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Practice for
Use of an Electrically Conductive Geotextile for Leak
Location Surveys
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7852; 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 standard practice describes standard procedures for using a conductive geotextile with electrical methods to locate leaks
in exposed geomembranes and geomembranes covered with water or earth materials containing moisture.
1.2 This standard practice provides guidance for the use of appropriate conductive geotextile used in leak location survey on
geomembrane. This guide includes all types of conductive geotextile with sufficient conductivity for the particular electrical leak
location method. A conductive geotextile is applicable to all types of geoelectric surveys when there is otherwise not a conductive
layer under the geomembrane.
1.3 The leak stream itself being adequately conductive. A conductive geotextile is applicable to all types of geoelectric surveys
when there is otherwise not a conductive layer under the geomembrane.
1.4 This standard practice is intended to ensure that leak location surveys can always be performed with a reasonable level of
certainty. This standard practice provides guidance for the use of appropriate conductive geotextile used in leak location survey
on geomembranes.
1.5 Leak location surveys can be used on non-conductivenonconductive geomembranes installed in basins, ponds, tanks, ore and
waste pads, landfill cells, landfill caps, other containment facilities, and building applications such as in parking garages, decks,
and green roofs. The procedures are applicable for geomembranes made of non conductive nonconductive materials such as
polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, bituminous material, and other electrically-
insulating electrically insulating materials. Leak location survey involving conductive or partially conductive geomembranes are
not within the scope of this document.
1.6 Warning—The electrical methods used for geomembrane leak location could use high voltages, resulting in the potential for
electrical shock or electrocution. This hazard might be increased because operations might be conducted in or near water. In
particular, a high voltage could exist between the water or earth material and earth ground, or any grounded conductor. These
procedures are potentially VERY DANGEROUS, and can result in personal injury or death. Because of the high voltage that could
be involved, and the shock or electrocution hazard, do not come in electrical contact with any leak unless the excitation power
supply is turned off. The electrical methods used for geomembrane leak location should be attempted only by qualified and
experienced personnel. Appropriate safety measures must be taken to protect the leak location operators as well as other people
at the site.Warning—The electrical methods used for geomembrane leak location could use high voltages, resulting in the potential
for electrical shock or electrocution. This hazard might be increased because operations might be conducted in or near water. In
This practice 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. 15, 2013Jan. 15, 2022. Published February 2012January 2022. Originally approved in 2013. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as
D7852 – 13. DOI: 10.1520/D7852–1310.1520/D7852-13R22.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D7852 − 13 (2022)
particular, a high voltage could exist between the water or earth material and earth ground, or any grounded conductor. These
procedures are potentially VERY DANGEROUS, and can result in personal injury or death. Because of the high voltage that could
be involved, and the shock or electrocution hazard, do not come in electrical contact with any leak unless the excitation power
supply is turned off. The electrical methods used for geomembrane leak location should be attempted only by qualified and
experienced personnel. Appropriate safety measures must be taken to protect the leak location operators as well as other people
at the site.
1.7 This standard guide does not purport to address all of the safety and liability concerns, if any, associated with its use. It
is the responsibility of the user of this standard guide to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.8 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
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
D7007 Practices for Electrical Methods for Locating Leaks in Geomembranes Covered with Water or Earthen Materials
3. Terminology
3.1 For general definitions related to geosynthetics, see Terminology D4439.
3.2 Definitions:
3.2.1 conductive geotextile, n—a geotextile fabricated in a plant using conductive materials, in part or in whole, and providing a
sufficient electrical conductivity to perform electrical leak location. D7002
3.2.2 electrical leak location, n—any method which uses electrical current or electrical potential to locate leaks. D7002
3.2.3 leak, n—for the purposes of this document, a leak is any unintended opening, perforation, breach, slit, tear, puncture, crack,
or seam breach through which liquid can flow. Scratches, gouges, dents, or other aberrations that do not completely penetrate the
geomembrane are not considered to be leaks. Leaks detected during surveys have been grouped into five categories: (1)(1)
Holes—round shaped voids which may or may not have downward or upward protruding rims, (2)(2) Tears—linear or areal voids
with irregular edge borders, (3)(3) Linear cuts—linear voids with neat close edges, (4)(4) Seam defects—area of separation
between sheets, and (5)(5) Burned through zones—areas where the polymer has been melted during the welding process. D7002
3.2.4 water, n—for the purposes of this document, water includes electrolytes and electrically conductive solutions such as
wastewater, brine, leachate, or any other conductive liquid. D7002
4. Summary of Practice
4.1 The principle of the electrical leak location method is to place a voltage across a geomembrane and then locate areas where
electrical current flows through discontinuities in the geomembrane and at seams. It requires an electrically conductive layer below
the geomembrane.
4.2 The electrical leak location survey can be applied to exposed and covered geomembranes. The various electrical leak location
methods are described in Guide D6747. StandardsStandard proced
...