ASTM D2643/D2643M-21

Standard Specification for Prefabricated Bituminous Geomembrane Used as Canal and Ditch Liner (Exposed Type)

ABSTRACT
This specification covers prefabricated asphalt liner sheets intended for installation to provide a continuous, exposed lining for reservoirs, ponds, canals, and ditches. The liner sheets shall consist of layers of asphalt mastic between asphalt-saturated felts, mats, or fabrics, and shall be coated on both sides and covered with a material to prevent the finished sheets from sticking together during storage and shipment. The coating shall be a hot-applied asphalt material permitted to be compounded with a mineral stabilizer. Thickness of asphalt coating, water absorption, mass percent of asphalt, resistance to decay, flexibility, brittleness, and heat dissipation tests shall be performed to conform to the requirements specified.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers prefabricated bituminous geomembranes intended to provide a continuous, exposed lining for canals and ditches.  
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be used independently of the other, and values from the two systems shall not be combined.  
1.3 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.  
1.4 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: 31-Aug-2021
• ICS: 91.100.50 - Binders. Sealing materials
• Technical Committee: D35 - Geosynthetics
• Drafting Committee: D35.06 - Geosynthetic Specifications

Relations

• Refers: ASTM E96/E96M-24 - Standard Test Methods for Gravimetric Determination of Water Vapor Transmission Rate of Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2024
• Refers: ASTM D4439-24 - Standard Terminology for Geosynthetics
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2024
• Refers: ASTM E96/E96M-23 - Standard Test Methods for Gravimetric Determination of Water Vapor Transmission Rate of Materials
• Effective Date: 15-Nov-2023
• Refers: ASTM D5884/D5884M-23 - Standard Test Method for Determining Tearing Strength of Internally Reinforced Geomembranes
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2023
• Refers: ASTM D4833/D4833M-07(2020) - Standard Test Method for Index Puncture Resistance of Geomembranes and Related Products
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2020
• Refers: ASTM D4354-12(2020) - Standard Practice for Sampling of Geosynthetics and Rolled Erosion Control Products (RECPs) for Testing
• Effective Date: 01-May-2020
• Refers: ASTM D1204-14(2020) - Standard Test Method for Linear Dimensional Changes of Nonrigid Thermoplastic Sheeting or Film at Elevated Temperature
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2020
• Refers: ASTM D5199-12(2019) - Standard Test Method for Measuring the Nominal Thickness of Geosynthetics
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2019
• Refers: ASTM D5147/D5147M-18 - Standard Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Modified Bituminous Sheet Material
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2018
• Refers: ASTM D5261-10(2018) - Standard Test Method for Measuring Mass per Unit Area of Geotextiles
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2018
• Refers: ASTM D4439-18 - Standard Terminology for Geosynthetics
• Effective Date: 15-Apr-2018
• Refers: ASTM D7275-07(2018) - Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Bituminous Geomembranes (BGMs)
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2018
• Refers: ASTM D6455-11(2018) - Standard Guide for the Selection of Test Methods for Prefabricated Bituminous Geomembranes (PBGMs)
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2018
• Refers: ASTM D4439-17 - Standard Terminology for Geosynthetics
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2017
• Refers: ASTM D4439-15a - Standard Terminology for Geosynthetics
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2015

Overview

ASTM D2643/D2643M-21: Standard Specification for Prefabricated Bituminous Geomembrane Used as Canal and Ditch Liner (Exposed Type), outlines requirements for factory-made bituminous geomembranes that serve as exposed lining systems for canals, ditches, ponds, and reservoirs. These geomembranes are composed of geotextile or fabric layers impregnated and coated with bitumen, offering reliable water containment and protection in civil engineering and water management projects. This ASTM standard defines material composition, physical properties, performance criteria, packaging, and labeling requirements, supporting quality assurance and project success.

Key Topics

Material Composition and Types

• Bituminous Geomembranes (PBGM): Constructed with geotextiles or fabrics saturated and coated with oxidized or elastomer-modified asphalt containing a mineral stabilizer.
• Coatings and Layers: Both sides of the sheet are coated to prevent sticking during storage or shipment.
• Classification: Products are categorized by Type (I, II, III) distinguished by thickness and performance properties, and by Grade (1 for above 5°C, 2 for installations down to –25°C).

Performance and Testing Requirements

• Physical Properties: Key properties such as thickness, mass per unit area, tensile strength, elongation, tear strength, and puncture resistance must conform to specific criteria.
• Low-Temperature Flexibility: Membranes must maintain flexibility before and after accelerated weathering, verified through standard testing.
• Water Vapor Permeance: Tested to ensure minimal vapor transmission.
• Material Uniformity: Sheets should display uniform finish, free from defects like holes, cracks, or unsaturated spots.

Packaging and Labeling

• Protection During Handling: Each roll is wrapped to guard against damage from water, sunlight, or contamination.
• Identification: Labels include manufacturer details, style, dimensions, and a conformance statement.

Applications

Prefabricated bituminous geomembranes specified by ASTM D2643/D2643M-21 are widely used in:

• Canal and Ditch Lining: Ensuring water-retaining structures are watertight and resistant to seepage.
• Irrigation Systems: Maintaining channel integrity and reducing water loss.
• Reservoirs and Ponds: Creating reliable, exposed liners for agricultural or industrial water storage.
• Environmental Protection: Lining projects where robust, continuous bituminous barriers are required for exposed water containment applications.

Typical users include civil engineers, water resource managers, contractors, and manufacturers involved in infrastructure and environmental projects seeking standardized, high-quality geomembrane solutions.

Related Standards

For comprehensive project specification and testing, ASTM D2643/D2643M-21 references several key standards:

• ASTM D1204: Dimensional changes in thermoplastic sheeting
• ASTM D4354: Sampling of geosynthetics
• ASTM D4439: Terminology for geosynthetics
• ASTM D4798/D4798M: Accelerated weathering test procedures
• ASTM D4833/D4833M: Index puncture resistance of geomembranes
• ASTM D5147/D5147M: Sampling and testing of modified bituminous materials
• ASTM D5199: Measuring nominal thickness of geosynthetics
• ASTM D5261: Mass per unit area of geotextiles
• ASTM D5884/D5884M: Tearing strength of reinforced geomembranes
• ASTM D6455: Selection of test methods for PBGMs
• ASTM D7275: Tensile properties of bituminous geomembranes
• ASTM E96/E96M: Water vapor transmission of materials

By following ASTM D2643/D2643M-21 and its referenced standards, specifiers and users ensure reliable performance and durability for exposed canal and ditch liners using bituminous geomembrane technology. This supports long-term water management, sustainability, and infrastructure resilience.

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:D2643/D2643M −21
Standard Specification for
Prefabricated Bituminous Geomembrane Used as Canal and
Ditch Liner (Exposed Type)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2643/D2643M; 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 (Xenon-Arc Method)
D4833/D4833M Test Method for Index Puncture Resistance
1.1 This specification covers prefabricated bituminous
of Geomembranes and Related Products
geomembranes intended to provide a continuous, exposed
D5147/D5147M Test Methods for Sampling and Testing
lining for canals and ditches.
Modified Bituminous Sheet Material
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units
D5199 Test Method for Measuring the Nominal Thickness
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
of Geosynthetics
each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to
D5261 Test Method for Measuring Mass per Unit Area of
ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be
Geotextiles
used independently of the other, and values from the two
D5884/D5884M Test Method for Determining Tearing
systems shall not be combined.
Strength of Internally Reinforced Geomembranes
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the D6455 Guide for the Selection of Test Methods for Prefab-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
ricated Bituminous Geomembranes (PBGMs)
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- D7275 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Bituminous
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
Geomembranes (BGMs)
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. E96/E96M Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
Materials
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
3. Terminology
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms related to
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
geosynthetics, refer to Terminology D4439.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
2. Referenced Documents 3.2.1 mineral stabilizer, n—a fine, water-insoluble inorganic
material, used as a filler material in the bitumen of a prefab-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
ricated bituminous geomembrane.
D1204 Test Method for Linear Dimensional Changes of
3.2.2 prefabricated bituminous geomembrane, n—a mate-
Nonrigid Thermoplastic Sheeting or Film at Elevated
rial fabricated in a plant and consisting principally of a
Temperature
geotextile saturated and coated with an oxidized or an elasto-
D4354 Practice for Sampling of Geosynthetics and Rolled
meric modified bitumen blend incorporating a filler.
Erosion Control Products (RECPs) for Testing
D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
3.2.3 selvage, n—the edge portion of a prefabricated bitu-
D4798/D4798M Practice for Accelerated Weathering Test
minous geomembrane that is parallel to the machine direction.
Conditions and Procedures for Bituminous Materials
4. Classifications
4.1 Prefabricated bituminous geomembranes covered by
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on
thisspecificationshallbeclassifiedasTypeI,TypeII,andType
Geosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.06 on Geosyn-
thetic Specifications.
III. Distinction between those types is related to the require-
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2021. Published September 2021. Originally
ments found in Table 1.
approved in 1967. Last previous edition approved in 2019 as D2643/D2643M – 08
(2019). DOI: 10.1520/D2643_D2643M-21.
4.2 Prefabricated bituminous geomembranes covered by
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
this specification, regardless of their type indicated in 4.1, shall
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
also be classified using the following grades, essentially
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. governed by their minimal installation temperature:
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D2643/D2643M−21
TABLE 1 Requirements for Bituminous Geomembranes Used as Exposed Lining for Canals and Ditches
Property Standard Type I Type II Type III
Thickness, min D5199 3.3 mm 3.8 mm 4.5 mm
[0.130 in.] [0.150 in.] [0.175 in.]
2 2 2
Mass per Unit Area, min D5261 3.5 kg/m 4.0 kg/m 5.0 kg/m
2 2 2
[0.72 lb/ft ] [0.82 lb/ft ] [1.02 lb/ft ]
Tensile Strength at break, D7275 8 kN/m 12 kN/m 16 kN/m
machine and cross-machine directions, min [45.7 lbf/in.] [68.5 lbf/in.] [91.4 lbf/in.]
Elongation at break, D7275 50 % 50 % 50 %
machine and cross-machine directions, min
Tear Strength, D5884/D5884M 500 N 550 N 600 N
machine and cross-machine directions, min [112 lbf] [124 lbf] [135 lbf]
Index Puncture Resistance, min D4833/D4833M 350 N 450 N 550 N
[79 lbf] [101 lbf] [124 lbf]
Low-Temperature Flexibility before weathering, D5147/D5147M Grade 1 mus
...

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: D2643/D2643M − 08 (Reapproved 2019) D2643/D2643M − 21
Standard Specification for
Prefabricated Bituminous Geomembrane Used as Canal and
Ditch Liner (Exposed Type)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2643/D2643M; 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 specification covers prefabricated bituminous geomembranes intended to provide a continuous, exposed lining for canals
and ditches.
1.2 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each
system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be used
independently of the other, and values from the two systems shall not be combined.
1.3 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.
1.4 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:
D1204 Test Method for Linear Dimensional Changes of Nonrigid Thermoplastic Sheeting or Film at Elevated Temperature
D4354 Practice for Sampling of Geosynthetics and Rolled Erosion Control Products (RECPs) for Testing
D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
D4798/D4798M Practice for Accelerated Weathering Test Conditions and Procedures for Bituminous Materials (Xenon-Arc
Method)
D4833/D4833M Test Method for Index Puncture Resistance of Geomembranes and Related Products
D5147/D5147M Test Methods for Sampling and Testing Modified Bituminous Sheet Material
D5199 Test Method for Measuring the Nominal Thickness of Geosynthetics
D5261 Test Method for Measuring Mass per Unit Area of Geotextiles
D5884D5884/D5884M Test Method for Determining Tearing Strength of Internally Reinforced Geomembranes
D6455 Guide for the Selection of Test Methods for Prefabricated Bituminous Geomembranes (PBGMs)
D7275 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Bituminous Geomembranes (BGMs)
E96/E96M Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Materials
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.06 on Geosynthetic
Specifications.
Current edition approved Feb. 15, 2019Sept. 1, 2021. Published February 2019September 2021. Originally approved in 1967. Last previous edition approved in 20132019
ɛ1
as D2643/D2643M – 08 (2013)(2019). . DOI: 10.1520/D2643_D2643M-08R19.10.1520/D2643_D2643M-21.
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
D2643/D2643M − 21
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms related to geosynthetics, refer to Terminology D4439.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 mineral stabilizer, n—a fine, water-insoluble inorganic material, used as a filler material in the bitumen of a prefabricated
bituminous geomembrane.
3.2.2 prefabricated bituminous geomembrane, n—a material fabricated in a plant and consisting principally of a geotextile
saturated and coated with an oxidized or an elastomeric modified bitumen blend incorporating a filler.
3.2.2 mineral stabilizer, n—a fine, water-insoluble inorganic material, used as a filler material in the bitumen of a prefabricated
bituminous geomembrane.
3.2.3 selvage, n—the edge portion of a prefabricated bituminous geomembrane that is parallel to the machine direction.
4. Classifications
4.1 Prefabricated bituminous geomembranes covered by this specification shall be classified as Type I, Type II, and Type III.
Distinction between those types is related to the requirements found in Table 1.
4.2 Prefabricated bituminous geomembranes covered by this specification, regardless of their type indicated in 4.1, shall also be
classified using the following grades, essentially governed by their minimal installation temperature:
4.2.1 Grade 1—For installation at ambient temperatures of 5 °C [40 °F] and above.
4.2.2 Grade 2—For installation at ambient temperatures of –25 °C [–13 °F] and above.
5. Materials and Manufacture
5.1 The prefabricated bituminous geomembranes shall consist of a geotextile, impregnated and coated with bitumen. They shall
be packaged in the form of rolls.
5.2 The bitumen shall consist of oxidized or elastomeric modified asphalt incorporating a mineral stabilizer.
TABLE 1 Requirements for Bituminous Geomembranes Used as Exposed Lining for Canals and Ditches
Property Standard Type I Type II Type III
Thickness, min D5199 3.3 mm 3.8 mm 4.5 mm
[0.130 in.] [0.150 in.] [0.175 in.]
2 2 2
Mass per Unit Area, min D5261 3.5 kg/m 4.0 kg/m 5.0 kg/m
2 2 2
[0.72 lb/ft
...