Ten-year PVC geomembrane durability

摘要

The 10-year results of an ongoing study on the long-term performance of a PVCngeomembrane in northern Minnesota are presented. Samples of PVC geomembrane and seams arenexhumed periodically over a 30-year period and tested to measure the certified, index, and seamnproperties of the exhumed geomembrane and seams. Results are compared with the materialnspecification existing at the time of installation as well as with the current PVC geomembranenspecification prepared by the PVC Geomembrane Institute. All material properties except fornthickness meet both specifications. Material properties measured at the laboratory and fieldnmoisture conditions are compared, and indicate that testing at the field moisture condition is morenrepresentative of the field performance than after laboratory desiccation. Data measured over a ten-nyear period suggest that the in situ moisture condition may counteract some, if not all, of thenplasticizer migration that occurs in this application, and plasticizer migration slows as thengeomembrane becomes acclimated to the field environment