Protective layer certification

Based on the research achievements and with support from an expert committee, BAM s own Laboratory of Landfill Engineering developed the technical specifications for plastic geomembranes and protective layers used to line landfills and contaminated sites, which have been published in certification guidelines (Muller 1995 Muller 2001), where recommendations and guidelines of specialist associations have been referenced as far as possible. In accordance with these specifications only HDPE geomembranes have been certified for landfill applications. 

The limiting value of 0.25 % for the arch elongation has developed from the consideration that a visual inspection finds only minor indentations, but this criterion has to be able to be quantified by a simple measurement. With 16/32 mm gravel this criterion fits coincidentally with the requirement of plastic technology that even local elongations may not exceed the critical limiting strain. Since it is simple to test and already established, it was maintained as a design criterion within the BAM certification for protective layers. However, 0.25 % still remains a mystery, even for some experts. 

Requirements of Protective Layers for Geomembranes in Composite Liner Systems, Certification Guidelines... 

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