ASTM D7700-22

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 types 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 in 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   O  =  May Be Applicable  (A) This type of test not commonly performed on this type of material, but it can be performed if desired.(B) Only provides evaluation of seam continuity, but not seam strength.(C) May not be applicable to very flexible geomembranes, especially thinner ones, that will highly deform into the vacuum box.(D) There are some experiences with air lance on HDPE geomembrane seams for hole detection, although this is not common practice.(E) Typically applicable to materials that are 1.0 mm and thinner.(F) When applicable.(G) Applicable to dual track seam only.(H) Not applicable to extrusion fillet.(I) Applicable to factory seams only.(J) Refer to Guide D6747.(K) Electrical leak location surveys are useful to monitor the continuity of seams, as well as to survey the entire sheet after installation and, where applicable, while covered with earthen or liquid materials. They do not verify material or seam integrity.  
4.4 The relevance of a seaming technique within a particular engineering context is beyond the scope of this guide.
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.6 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-Jun-2022
• ICS: 59.080.70 - Geotextiles
• Technical Committee: D35 - Geosynthetics
• Drafting Committee: D35.10 - Geomembranes

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D7408-12(2020) - Standard Specification for Non-Reinforced PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) Geomembrane Seams
• Effective Date: 15-Feb-2020

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: D7700 − 22
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 2. Referenced Documents
2
1.1 This guide is intended for use as a summary of test 2.1 ASTM Standards:
methods necessary to evaluate geomembrane seams. It is D4437/D4437M Practice for Nondestructive Testing (NDT)
intended to guide geomembrane users toward the appropriate for Determining the Integrity of Seams Used in Joining
evaluation techniques to assess geomembrane seam quality. Flexible Polymeric Sheet Geomembranes
D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
1.2 Geomembrane seams covered by this guide are: high-
D5641/D5641M Practice for Geomembrane Seam Evalua-
density polyethylene (HDPE), linear low-density polyethylene
tion by Vacuum Chamber
(LLDPE), very low-density polyethylene (VLDPE), flexible
D5820 Practice for Pressurized Air Channel Evaluation of
polypropylene (fPP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), ethylene pro-
Dual-Seamed Geomembranes
pylene diene terpolymer (EPDM), prefabricated bituminous
D6214/D6214M Test Method for Determining the Integrity
geomembranes (PBGM), ethylene interpolymer alloy (EIA),
of Field Seams Used in Joining Geomembranes by
and reinforced geomembranes
Chemical Fusion Methods
1.3 Although a significant effort has been made to gather all
D6365 PracticeforNondestructiveTestingofGeomembrane
types of geomembranes and related evaluation techniques
Seams Using the Spark Test
which were on the market at the date of completion of this
D6392 Test Method for Determining the Integrity of Nonre-
document, some available materials and technologies may
inforced Geomembrane Seams Produced Using Thermo-
have been omitted.The information presented in this document
Fusion Methods
shall thus be considered to be non-exhaustive.
D6747 GuideforSelectionofTechniquesforElectricalLeak
Location of Leaks in Geomembranes
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
D7002 Practice for Electrical Leak Location on Exposed
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard. Geomembranes Using the Water Puddle Method
D7006 Practice for Ultrasonic Testing of Geomembranes
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
D7007 Practices for Electrical Methods for Locating Leaks
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
in Geomembranes Covered with Water or Earthen Mate-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
rials
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
D7056 Test Method for Determining the Tensile Shear
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Strength of Prefabricated Bituminous Geomembrane
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
Seams
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
D7177/D7177M Specification forAir Channel Evaluation of
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Dual Track Seamed Geomem-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
branes
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
D7272 Test Method for Determining the Integrity of Seams
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Used in Joining Geomembranes by Premanufactured
Taped Methods
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics
2
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 July 1, 2022. Published July 2022. Originally approved contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
in 2012. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D7700 – 15. DOI: 10.1520/ Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
D7700-22. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D7700 − 22
D7408 Specification for Non-Reinforced PVC (Polyvinyl 3.3.4 LLDPE—linear low-density polyethylene
Chloride) Geomembrane Seams
3.3.5 PVC—polyvinyl chloride
D7703 Practice for Electrical Leak Location on Exposed
3.3.6 VLDPE—very low-density polyethylene
Geomembranes Using the Water Lance Method
D7747/D7747M Test Method for Determining Integrity of 4. Significa
...

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 − 15 D7700 − 22
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)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.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.
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 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:
D4437D4437/D4437M Practice for Nondestructive Testing (NDT) for Determining the Integrity of Seams Used in Joining
Flexible Polymeric Sheet Geomembranes
D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
D5641D5641/D5641M Practice for Geomembrane Seam Evaluation by Vacuum Chamber
1
This test method guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.10 on Geomembranes.
Current edition approved May 1, 2015July 1, 2022. Published May 2015July 2022. Originally approved in 2012. Last previous edition approved in 20122015 as
D7700D7700 – 15.–12 . DOI: 10.1520/D7700–1510.1520/D7700-22.
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 − 22
D5820 Practice for Pressurized Air Channel Evaluation of Dual-Seamed Geomembranes
D6214/D6214M Test Method for Determining the Integrity of Field Seams Used in Joining Geomembranes by Chemical Fusion
Methods
D6365 Practice for 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 Prefabricated Bituminous Geomembrane Seams
D7177D7177/D7177M Specification for Air Channel Evaluation o
...