ASTM D5886-95(2018)

Standard Guide for Selection of Test Methods to Determine Rate of Fluid Permeation Through Geomembranes for Specific Applications

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The principal characteristic of geomembranes is their intrinsically low permeability to a broad range of gases, vapors, and liquids, both as single-component fluids and as complex mixtures of many constituents. As low-permeable materials, geomembranes are being used in a wide range of engineering applications in geotechnical, environmental, and transportation areas as barriers to control the migration of mobile fluids and their constituents. The range of potential permeants is broad and the service conditions can differ greatly. This guide shows users test methods available for determining the permeability of geomembranes to various permeants.  
5.2 The transmission of various species through a geomembrane is subject to many factors that must be assessed in order to be able to predict its effectiveness for a specific service. Permeability measurements are affected by test conditions, and measurements made by one method cannot be translated from one application to another. A wide variety of permeability tests have been devised to measure the permeability of polymeric materials; however, only a limited number of these procedures have been applied to geomembranes. Test conditions and procedures should be selected to reflect actual service requirements as closely as possible. It should be noted that field conditions may be difficult to model or maintain in the laboratory. This may impact apparent performance of geomembrane samples.  
5.3 This guide discusses the mechanism of permeation of mobile chemical species through geomembranes and the permeability tests that are relevant to various types of applications and permeating species. Specific tests for the permeability of geomembranes to both single-component fluids and multicomponent fluids that contain a variety of permeants are described and discussed.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers selecting one or more appropriate test methods to assess the permeability of all candidate geomembranes for a proposed specific application to various permeants. The widely different uses of geomembranes as barriers to the transport and migration of different gases, vapors, and liquids under different service conditions require determinations of permeability by test methods that relate to and simulate the service. Geomembranes are nonporous, homogeneous materials that are permeable in varying degrees to gases, vapors, and liquids on a molecular scale in a three-step process by: (1) dissolution in or absorption by the geomembrane on the upstream side, (2) diffusion through the geomembrane, and (3) desorption on the downstream side of the barrier.  
1.2 The rate of transmission of a given chemical species, whether as a single permeant or in mixtures, is driven by its chemical potential or in practical terms by its concentration gradient across the geomembrane. Various methods to assess the permeability of geomembranes to single component permeants, such as individual gases, vapors, and liquids are referenced and briefly described.  
1.3 Various test methods for the measurement of permeation and transmission through geomembranes of individual species in complex mixtures such as waste liquids are discussed.  
1.4 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.  
1.5 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: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Jan-2018
• ICS: 13.060.30 - Sewage water
• ICS: 17.120.01 - Measurement of fluid flow in general
• 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: D5886 − 95 (Reapproved 2018)
Standard Guide for
Selection of Test Methods to Determine Rate of Fluid
Permeation Through Geomembranes for Specific
1
Applications
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5886; 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 covers selecting one or more appropriate test
2.1 ASTM Standards:
methods to assess the permeability of all candidate geomem-
D471 Test Method for Rubber Property—Effect of Liquids
branes for a proposed specific application to various per-
D814 Test Method for Rubber Property—Vapor Transmis-
meants. The widely different uses of geomembranes as barriers
sion of Volatile Liquids
to the transport and migration of different gases, vapors, and
D815 Test Method for Testing Coated Fabrics Hydrogen
liquids under different service conditions require determina- 3
Permeance (Withdrawn 1987)
tions of permeability by test methods that relate to and simulate
D1434 Test Method for Determining Gas Permeability Char-
the service. Geomembranes are nonporous, homogeneous ma-
acteristics of Plastic Film and Sheeting
terials that are permeable in varying degrees to gases, vapors,
D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
and liquids on a molecular scale in a three-step process by: (1)
D4491/D4491M Test Methods for Water Permeability of
dissolution in or absorption by the geomembrane on the
Geotextiles by Permittivity
upstream side, (2) diffusion through the geomembrane, and (3)
E96/E96M Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of
desorption on the downstream side of the barrier.
Materials
1.2 The rate of transmission of a given chemical species,
F372 Test Method for Water Vapor Transmission Rate of
whether as a single permeant or in mixtures, is driven by its
Flexible Barrier Materials Using an Infrared Detection
3
chemical potential or in practical terms by its concentration
Technique (Withdrawn 2009)
gradient across the geomembrane. Various methods to assess
F739 Test Method for Permeation of Liquids and Gases
the permeability of geomembranes to single component
through Protective Clothing Materials under Conditions of
permeants, such as individual gases, vapors, and liquids are
Continuous Contact
referenced and briefly described.
3. Terminology
1.3 Various test methods for the measurement of permeation
and transmission through geomembranes of individual species
3.1 Definitions:
in complex mixtures such as waste liquids are discussed.
3.1.1 downstream, n—the space adjacent to the geomem-
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
brane through which the permeant is flowing.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1.2 geomembrane, n—an essentially impermeable geosyn-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
thetic composed of one or more synthetic sheets. (See Termi-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
nology D4439.)
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.1.2.1 Discussion—In geotechnical engineering, “essen-
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
tially impermeable” means that no measurable liquid flows
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
through a geosynthetic when tested in accordance with Test
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Methods D4491/D4491M.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.10 on Geomembranes. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2018. Published February 2018. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as D5886 – 95 (2011). The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
DOI: 10.1520/D5886-95R18. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D5886 − 95 (2018)
3.1.3 geosynthetic, n—a planar product manufactured from the dissolved constituents, and the driving force for such
polymeric material used with soil, rock, earth, or other geo- perme
...

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: D5886 − 95 (Reapproved 2011) D5886 − 95 (Reapproved 2018)
Standard Guide for
Selection of Test Methods to Determine Rate of Fluid
Permeation Through Geomembranes for Specific
1
Applications
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5886; 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 selecting one or more appropriate test methods to assess the permeability of all candidate geomembranes
for a proposed specific application to various permeants. The widely different uses of geomembranes as barriers to the transport
and migration of different gases, vapors, and liquids under different service conditions require determinations of permeability by
test methods that relate to and simulate the service. Geomembranes are nonporous, homogeneous materials that are permeable in
varying degrees to gases, vapors, and liquids on a molecular scale in a three-step process by: (1) by dissolution in or absorption
by the geomembrane on the upstream side, (2) diffusion through the geomembrane, and (3) desorption on the downstream side of
the barrier.
1.2 The rate of transmission of a given chemical species, whether as a single permeant or in mixtures, is driven by its chemical
potential or in practical terms by its concentration gradient across the geomembrane. Various methods to assess the permeability
of geomembranes to single component permeants, such as individual gases, vapors, and liquids are referenced and briefly
described.
1.3 Various test methods for the measurement of permeation and transmission through geomembranes of individual species in
complex mixtures such as waste liquids are discussed.
1.4 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 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:
D471 Test Method for Rubber Property—Effect of Liquids
D814 Test Method for Rubber Property—Vapor Transmission of Volatile Liquids
3
D815 Test Method for Testing Coated Fabrics Hydrogen Permeance (Withdrawn 1987)
D1434 Test Method for Determining Gas Permeability Characteristics of Plastic Film and Sheeting
D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
D4491D4491/D4491M Test Methods for Water Permeability of Geotextiles by Permittivity
E96/E96M Test Methods for Water Vapor Transmission of Materials
F372 Test Method for Water Vapor Transmission Rate of Flexible Barrier Materials Using an Infrared Detection Technique
3
(Withdrawn 2009)
F739 Test Method for Permeation of Liquids and Gases through Protective Clothing Materials under Conditions of Continuous
Contact
1
This 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 June 1, 2011Feb. 1, 2018. Published July 2011February 2018. Originally approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 20062011 as
D5886 – 95 (2011). (2006). DOI: 10.1520/D5886-95R11.10.1520/D5886-95R18.
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
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D5886 − 95 (2018)
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 downstream, n—the space adjacent to the geomembrane through which the permeant is flowing.
3.1.2 geomembrane, n—an essentially impermeable geosynthetic composed of one or more synthetic sheets. (See Terminology
D4439.)
3.1.2.1 Discussion—
In geotech
...