Geomembrane sealing systems for dams

Geosynthetics | August 2010

Editor’s Note: Bob Koerner coauthored this article, “Geomembrane sealing systems for dams,” from the April 2008 issue of Geosynthetics and he responds to this query.

Question

From: Zarko, Macedonia
Posted: May 7, 2010

We have one question: Can we apply the geomembrane rehabilitation of concrete [to the] dam body?

Answer

From Bob Koerner of the Geosynthetic Institute, GMA Techline, and coauthor of the article cited above, “Geomembrane sealing systems for dams”:

Yes, indeed. Please see accompanying photos above.

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Comments

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• 

  shivani pal

  Jul 1, 2011
  6:29 am CDT

  geomembranes v/s concrete face in rock fill dams

  Please comment sir that wether geomembrane can completely remove the layer of concrete face required in rock fill dams or they are an addtional water retention improvers i.e. will a concrete faced rock fill dam be no longer concrete faced if geomembranes are used (neglecting 200m thick PCC layer)

   

  regards,

  Shivani Pal

  Design Engineer

  Himachal pradesh power coporation limited.

  Himachal Pradesh

  INDIA

• 

  Abbie Yarger, IFAI Web content specialist

  Jul 5, 2011
  12:25 pm CDT

  Re: geomembranes v/s concrete face in rock fill dams

  Note: Robert Koerner from the Geosynthetic Institute and the GMA Techline sent the following response to your comment:

  The answer to your question of eliminating a concrete covering on earth and earth/rock-fill dams when using a qeomembrane as waterproofing is “yes and do indeed eliminate the concrete” provided that you can make a reasonably stable subgrade for the geomembrane.

  In the 2010 International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) Bulletin #135, there are listed 173 such dams worldwide, with 47 upstream exposed, 106 are upstream covered, and 20 are internal. None are reported to have had a cast-in-place concrete layer beneath them.

  Robert Koerner
  Geosynthetic Institute and the GMA Techline