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Timothy D. Stark, professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, recently traveled to Hibbing, Minn., with Pat Elliott of Colorado Lining International, Maya Innis of Leister Technologies LLC, and Marlyn Waltner of Intertape Polymer Group to sample the 11 flexible geomembranes that were installed in a mine settling basin to investigate the long-term durability of geomembranes in a harsh climate. Three of the 11 geomembranes were installed in 1995 and are being tested first. The other eight geomembranes were installed in 2017.
The laboratory tests being performed on these materials in the machine (MD) and transverse (TD) directions of the geomembrane are:
- Thickness (ASTM D5199)
- Tensile strength at break, elongation at break and strength at 100% strain (ASTM D882, Method A)
- Tear strength (ASTM D1004)
- Dimensional stability (ASTM D1204)
- Low temperature impact (ASTM D1790)
- Hydrostatic resistance (ASTM D751)
- Seam shear strength (ASTM D882, Method A)
- Seam peel strength (ASTM D882)
Two of the three 1995 geomembranes did not show degradation in the mechanical properties of the geomembranes, and they met or exceeded applicable material specifications in accordance with National Sanitation Foundation 54 and FGI 1115. Additional testing will be conducted after 35 years of exposure.
Join the University of Illinois-Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI) each month for an on-demand course and certification exam on Manufacturing, Fabrication and Installation QA/QC for Flexible Geomembranes. The course consists of the following five 90-minute modules: Manufacturing MQA & MQC; Subgrade Preparation & Inspection; Factory CQA & CQC; Field CQA & CQC; and Post Installation Maintenance & Leak Location. A University of Illinois-FGI CQA certificate will be issued to those who successfully pass the online certification exam (7.5 PDH).
April registration: attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8930065660007003228
May registration: attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1065372236223020376
June registration: attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5923123459388561750
The $500 registration fee includes all five parts of the course and one sitting for the online certification exam. For those who do not pass the exam on the first attempt, there is a $100 fee each time you register and retake the online exam. For those not interested in taking the certification exam, the cost for attending the five-course session is $300 (use discount code NOEXAM200). Links to parts 2-5 will be sent automatically. Government employees/regulators can attend the five sessions at no cost (use code REGULATOR).
The FGI is continuing its popular webinar series with additional exciting and informative topics for the rest of 2025. All FGI webinars are free and provide 1.0 Professional Development Hour (PDH) of continuing education credit. Each webinar is recorded and posted to the FGI website, along with a PDF of the slides. All past webinars are available to view and earn PDH credits online, at your convenience. Check out the webinar schedule and library at: fabricatedgeomembrane.com/resources/webinar-archives.
The FGI has created a library of both field- and laboratory-testing videos with new data sheets. New laboratory-testing videos include ASTM D882 (tensile properties) and ASTM D1004 (tear resistance). Watch the videos and download the new data sheets today from the FGI website: fabricatedgeomembrane.com/resources/testing-videos.