ASTM D6102-23

Standard Guide for Installation of Geosynthetic Clay Liners

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 For optimum performance, GCLs must be installed in a manner that does not impact their physical, mechanical, or hydraulic properties.  
4.2 This guide identifies the proper installation procedures and equipment for use by GCL designers, inspectors, and installers.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers directions for the installation of geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) under field conditions typically present in environmental lining applications.  
1.2 This guide contains general installation guidelines. It is not intended to replace project-specific installation requirements as found in the contract drawings or specifications. In the event of a conflict, the requirement of the project specifications will supersede the requirements of this guide.  
1.3 This guide does not purport to establish specific procedure for all climatic, geographical, hydraulic, or topographical conditions that may exist at a site. Appropriate installation procedures under atypical field conditions should be modified as necessary to maintain the integrity of the GCL and adjacent lining system components.  
1.4 Different GCLs have different materials of construction with different physical properties. The procedures contained in this guide, therefore, may not be universally applicable to all GCLs under all field conditions.  
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.6 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.  
1.7 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

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2023
• ICS: 91.100.15 - Mineral materials and products
• Technical Committee: D35 - Geosynthetics
• Drafting Committee: D35.04 - Geosynthetic Clay Liners

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: D6102 − 23
Standard Guide for
1
Installation of Geosynthetic Clay Liners
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6102; 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
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This guide covers directions for the installation of
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) under field conditions typi-
Fluids
cally present in environmental lining applications.
D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
1.2 This guide contains general installation guidelines. It is
D5888 Guide for Storage and Handling of Geosynthetic
not intended to replace project-specific installation require-
Clay Liners
3
ments as found in the contract drawings or specifications. In
2.2 GRI Document:
the event of a conflict, the requirement of the project specifi-
GRI-GCL-5 Standard Guide for Design Considerations for
cations will supersede the requirements of this guide.
Geosynthetic Clay Liners (GCLs) in Various Applications
1.3 This guide does not purport to establish specific proce-
3. Terminology
dure for all climatic, geographical, hydraulic, or topographical
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of other geosynthetic terms
conditions that may exist at a site. Appropriate installation
used in this guide, refer to Terminology D4439. For definitions
procedures under atypical field conditions should be modified
of soils terms, refer to Terminology D653.
as necessary to maintain the integrity of the GCL and adjacent
lining system components. 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 fresh water, n—water with a salinity less than 0.5 parts
1.4 Different GCLs have different materials of construction
per thousand.
with different physical properties. The procedures contained in
3.2.2 geosynthetic clay liner (GCL), n—a manufactured
this guide, therefore, may not be universally applicable to all
hydraulic barrier consisting of clay bonded to a layer or layers
GCLs under all field conditions.
of geosynthetics.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
4. Significance and Use
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard.
4.1 For optimum performance, GCLs must be installed in a
manner that does not impact their physical, mechanical, or
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
hydraulic properties.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- 4.2 This guide identifies the proper installation procedures
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- and equipment for use by GCL designers, inspectors, and
installers.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
5. Procedure
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
5.1 The methods and equipment used for placement of the
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
GCL can vary, but the primary objective of the process is to
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
minimize the potential for GCL damage. The placement
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
methods and equipment should be evaluated appropriately
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
within this context.
1 2
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.04 on Geosynthetic Clay contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Liners. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved May 1, 2023. Published May 2023. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1997. Last previous edition approved in 2020 as D6102 – 20. DOI: Available from Geosynthetic Institute, 475 Kedron Avenue, Folsom, PA
10.1520/D6102-23. 19033-1208, http://www.geosynthetic-institute.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D6102 − 23
engineer, construction quality assurance (CQA) inspector, and GCL
5.2 Subgrade Preparation:
supplier should be consulted for specific guidance if premature hydration
5.2.1 For projects where the GCL is to be placed over
...

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: D6102 − 20 D6102 − 23
Standard Guide for
1
Installation of Geosynthetic Clay Liners
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6102; 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 covers directions for the installation of geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) under field conditions typically present in
environmental lining applications.
1.2 This guide contains general installation guidelines. It is not intended to replace project-specific installation requirements as
found in the contract drawings or specifications. In the event of a conflict, the requirement of the project specifications will
supersede the requirements of this guide.
1.3 This guide does not purport to establish specific procedure for all climatic, geographical, hydraulic, or topographical
conditions that may exist at a site. Appropriate installation procedures under atypical field conditions should be modified as
necessary to maintain the integrity of the GCL and adjacent lining system components.
1.4 Different GCLs have different materials of construction with different physical properties. The procedures contained in this
guide, therefore, may not be universally applicable to all GCLs under all field conditions.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.6 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.
1.7 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
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
D5888 Guide for Storage and Handling of Geosynthetic Clay Liners
3
2.2 GRI Document:
GRI-GCL-5 Standard Guide for Design Considerations for Geosynthetic Clay Liners (GCLs) in Various Applications
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.04 on Geosynthetic Clay Liners.
Current edition approved June 1, 2020May 1, 2023. Published June 2020May 2023. Originally approved in 1997. Last previous edition approved in 20152020 as
D6102 – 15.D6102 – 20. DOI: 10.1520/D6102-20.10.1520/D6102-23.
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.
3
Available from Geosynthetic Institute, 475 Kedron Avenue, Folsom, PA 19033-1208, http://www.geosynthetic-institute.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D6102 − 23
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of other geosynthetic terms used in this guide, refer to Terminology D4439. For definitions of soils
terms, refer to Terminology D653.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 fresh water, n—water with a salinity less than 0.5 parts per thousand.
3.2.2 geosynthetic clay liner (GCL), n—a manufactured hydraulic barrier consisting of clay bonded to a layer or layers of
geosynthetics.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 For optimum performance, GCLs must be installed in a manner that does not impact their physical, mechanical, or hydraulic
properties.
4.2 This guide identifies the proper installation procedures and equipment for use by GCL designers, inspectors, and installers.
5. Procedure
5.1 The methods and equipment used for placement of the GCL can vary, but the primary objective of the process is to minimize
the potential for GCL damage. The placement methods and equipment should be evaluated appropriately within this context.
5.2 Subgrade Preparation:
5.2.1 For projects where
...