Design standards No. 13 : Embankment Dams. Chapter 20 - Geomembranes

This document draws from European experience in dam design and American experience on geomembrane properties. Also, many of the concepts and methods presented in this document were originally developed for the design of geomembrane-lined waste containment facilities, and have been adapted to the design and construction of dams. These include, for example: leakage control systems, stability analyses for lining systems on slopes, and geosynthetic construction quality assurance. Although this document is essentially devoted to geomembranes, other geosynthetics, such as geotextiles, geonets, and geogrids, are discussed in those systems or applications where they are closely Associated with geomembranes. This design standard is applicable to the use of geomembranes as the impermeable element in an embankment dam or reservoir. The standard covers geomembrane properties, applications, design, construction, and monitoring.

This updated version was revised to include state-of-the-practice design and construction considerations; USBR geomembrane installation case histories; removal of extraneous polymeric manufacturing discussion and dated installation techniques.