ASTM D7272-06(2023)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Determining the Integrity of Seams Used in Joining Geomembranes by Premanufactured Taped Methods
Standard Test Method for Determining the Integrity of Seams Used in Joining Geomembranes by Premanufactured Taped Methods
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Significance—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 a standard test method to evaluate the quality of geomembrane seams produced by tape methods. In the case of geomembranes, it has become evident that geomembrane seams can exhibit separation in the field under certain conditions. This is an index-type test method used for quality assurance and quality control purposes; it is also intended to provide the quality engineer with sufficient seam peel and shear data to evaluate seam quality.
4.2 Use—Recording and reporting data, such as separation that occurs during the peel test and elongation during the shear test, will allow the quality assurance engineer to take measures necessary to ensure the repair of inferior seams during construction, and therefore, minimize the potential for seam separation while in service. The acceptable value of adhesion measured will, of course, vary from product to product as a result of different formulations and types of products. However, once a product is established, minimum values of separation force can be determined and agreed to by producer and consumer, and both can monitor the installation to ensure maintenance of the agreed-upon minimum value.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method describes destructive quality control and/or quality assurance tests to determine the integrity of seams produced using taped seaming methods. This test method presents the procedures used for determining the quality of taped seams subjected to both peel and shear tests. These test procedures are intended for nonreinforced and reinforced geomembranes.
1.2 The types of tape seaming techniques used to construct geomembrane seams include the following:
1.2.1 Inseam Tape—This technique requires the membrane to be overlapped a minimum distance. The top sheet is folded back and both the bottom sheet and the top sheet are primed with an adhesive primer. The primer is allowed to flash off. The tape adhesive is applied to the bottom sheet so that a minimum of the tape will extend out from under the top sheet when laid over the tape. The top sheet is allowed to lay flat over the tape and the release paper is removed by pulling it at a 45° to 90° angle, keeping the release paper flat to the surface of the bottom sheet. The seam area is then rolled with a silicone-sleeved roller.
1.2.2 Cover Strip Tape—This technique requires the membrane to be overlapped a minimum distance. An area either side of the seam edge is primed. The primer is allowed to flash off. The cover strip is applied with the adhesive side down, centered over the top sheet edge while removing the release paper as it proceeds along centered over the edge of the top sheet. The cover strip is then rolled with a silicone-sleeved roller.
1.3 For nondestructive test methods, see Practice D4437/D4437M.
1.4 This test method is applicable for seaming processes that use tape adhesive as a seaming mechanism.
1.5 Subsequent decisions as to seam acceptance criteria are made according to the site-specific contract plans, specifications, and contractor quality control/contractor quality assurance (CQC/CQA) documents.
1.6 In case of a material-specific test method, this test method shall take precedence.
1.7 Hazardous Materials—Always consult the proper material safety data sheets for any hazardous material used for the proper ventilation and protection. The use of the oven in these test methods, in this practice, may accelerate fume production from the test specimen.
1.8 The values stated in both inch-pound and SI units are to be regarded separately as the standard. Values in parentheses are for information only.
1.9 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, ...
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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: D7272 − 06 (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Test Method for
Determining the Integrity of Seams Used in Joining
Geomembranes by Premanufactured Taped Methods
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7272; 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 specifications, and contractor quality control/contractor quality
assurance (CQC/CQA) documents.
1.1 This test method describes destructive quality control
and/or quality assurance tests to determine the integrity of 1.6 In case of a material-specific test method, this test
seams produced using taped seaming methods. This test method shall take precedence.
method presents the procedures used for determining the
1.7 Hazardous Materials—Always consult the proper mate-
quality of taped seams subjected to both peel and shear tests.
rial safety data sheets for any hazardous material used for the
These test procedures are intended for nonreinforced and
proper ventilation and protection. The use of the oven in these
reinforced geomembranes.
test methods, in this practice, may accelerate fume production
1.2 The types of tape seaming techniques used to construct from the test specimen.
geomembrane seams include the following:
1.8 The values stated in both inch-pound and SI units are to
1.2.1 Inseam Tape—This technique requires the membrane
be regarded separately as the standard. Values in parentheses
to be overlapped a minimum distance. The top sheet is folded
are for information only.
back and both the bottom sheet and the top sheet are primed
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the
with an adhesive primer. The primer is allowed to flash off. The
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
tape adhesive is applied to the bottom sheet so that a minimum
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
of the tape will extend out from under the top sheet when laid
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
over the tape. The top sheet is allowed to lay flat over the tape
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
and the release paper is removed by pulling it at a 45° to 90°
1.10 This international standard was developed in accor-
angle, keeping the release paper flat to the surface of the
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
bottom sheet. The seam area is then rolled with a silicone-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
sleeved roller.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1.2.2 Cover Strip Tape—This technique requires the mem-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
brane to be overlapped a minimum distance. An area either side
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
of the seam edge is primed. The primer is allowed to flash off.
The cover strip is applied with the adhesive side down,
2. Referenced Documents
centered over the top sheet edge while removing the release
2.1 ASTM Standards:
paper as it proceeds along centered over the edge of the top
D413 Test Methods for Rubber Property—Adhesion to Flex-
sheet. The cover strip is then rolled with a silicone-sleeved
ible Substrate
roller.
D638 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics
1.3 For nondestructive test methods, see Practice D4437/
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
D4437M.
Fluids
1.4 This test method is applicable for seaming processes
D882 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic
that use tape adhesive as a seaming mechanism.
Sheeting
D4437/D4437M Practice for Nondestructive Testing (NDT)
1.5 Subsequent decisions as to seam acceptance criteria are
for Determining the Integrity of Seams Used in Joining
made according to the site-specific contract plans,
Flexible Polymeric Sheet Geomembranes
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on
Geosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.10 on Geomem-
branes. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved May 1, 2023. Published May 2023. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved 2006. Last previous version approved 2018 as D7272 – 06 (2018). DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D7272-06R23. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D7272 − 06 (2023)
D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics 5.2.2 Movable Member—A movable member carrying a
D5199 Test Method for Measuring the Nominal Thickness second grip.
of Geosynthetics
5.2.3 Grips—Grips for holding the test specimen between
D5994/D5994M Test Method for Measuring Core Thickness the fixed member and the movable member and minimizes
of Textured Geomembranes
both slippage and uneven stress distribution. The grips shall be
self-aligning so that they shall be attached to the fixed and
3. Terminology
movable member, respectively, in such a manner that they will
move freely into alignment as soon as any load is applied, so
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of other geosynthetics
that the long axis of the test specimen will coincide with the
terms used in this method, refer to Terminology D4439. For
direction of the applied pull through the center line of the grip
definitions of soil terms, refer to Terminology D653.
assembly. Grip faces shall be 25 mm (1 in.) wide and a
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
minimum of 25 mm (1 in.) in length. Smooth surfaces, fine
3.2.1 cover strip adhesive, n—solid strip of prefabricated or
serrated, or coarse serrated grip faces, use the grips that have
manufactured adhesive, factory laminated to layer of polymer
all been found to be suitable for testing, depending on the type
sheet material factory laminated to a release paper, used to join
of geomembrane seams that are being tested.
two polymer sheets.
NOTE 1—Grips lined with thin rubber, crocus-cloth, or pressure-
3.2.2 cover strip adhesive seam, n—adhesive-based lami-
sensitive tape as well as file-faced or serrated grips have been successfully
nated tape placed over two overlapping polymer sheet materi-
used for many materials. The choice of grip surface will depend on the
als forming a surface bond.
material tested, thickness, etc.
3.2.3 tape adhesive, n—solid strip of prefabricated or manu-
5.2.4 Drive Mechanism—A drive mechanism for imparting
factured adhesive, factory laminated to a release paper, used to
to the movable member in uniform, controlled velocity with
join two polymer sheets. respect to the stationary member. Unless otherwise specified in
the material specification, the mechanism shall be capable of
3.2.4 tape adhesive seam, n—adhesive-based tape placed
and adjusted so that the movable member shall have a uniform
between two polymer sheet materials forming a surface bond.
speed of 50 mm/min (2 in./min), 300 mm/min (12 in./min), and
500 mm/min (20 in./min).
4. Significance and Use
5.2.5 Load Indicator—A suitable load-indicating mecha-
4.1 Significance—With the increased use of geomembranes
nism capable of showing the total tensile load carried by the
as a barrier material to restrict liquid migration from one
test specimen when held by the grips. This mechanism shall be
location to another, a need has been created for a standard test
essentially free of inertia lag at the specified rate of testing and
method to evaluate the quality of geomembrane seams pro-
shall indicate the load with an accuracy of 61 % of the
duced by tape methods. In the case of geomembranes, it has
indicated value or better.
become evident that geomembrane seams can exhibit separa-
5.2.6 Extension Indicator (Extensometer) (if Employed)—A
tion in the field under certain conditions. This is an index-type
suitable instrument shall be used for determining the distance
test method used for quality assurance and quality control
between two designated points within the gage length of the
purposes; it is also intended to provide the quality engineer
test specimen as the specimen is stretched and shall conform to
with sufficient seam peel and shear data to evaluate seam
requirements specified in Test Method D638.
quality.
4.2 Use—Recording and reporting data, such as separation
6. Sampling and Specimen Preparation
that occurs during the peel test and elongation during the shear
6.1 Trial Seam Sample—A representative seam from each
test, will allow the quality assurance engineer to take measures
seaming crew, fabricated from the same sheet material and
necessary to ensure the repair of inferior seams during
using the seaming methods as those recommended by the
construction, and therefore, minimize the potential for seam
geomembrane fabricator manufacturer, shall be used for this
separation while in service. The acceptable value of adhesion
method.
measured will, of course, vary from product to product as a
6.1.1 Destructive Seam Sample—Alternatively, cut a portion
result of different formulations and types of products.
of the fabricated seam from the installed liner or a daily test
However, once a product is established, minimum values of
seam sample in accordance with the project specifications. It is
separation force can be determined and agreed to by producer
recommended that the cutout sample be 0.3 m (1 ft) wide and
and consumer, and both can monitor the installation to ensure
0.45 m (1.5 ft) in length with the seam centered in the middle
maintenance of the agreed-upon minimum value.
of the seam.
6.1.2 Specimen Preparation—Five specimens shall be cut
5. Apparatus
from the submittal sample for each the peel and shear test. The
5.1 Tensile instrumentation shall meet the requirements
specimens for the peel test shall be cut using a calibrated die,
outlined in Test Method D638 or D882.
25 mm 6 3 mm (nominal 1 in. 6 0.125 in.) wide by 150 mm
5.2 A testing machine of the constant-rate-of-crosshead- 6 3 mm (nominal 6 in. 6 0.125 in.) long. The specimens for
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