Geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) are widely used in both China and the USA for environmental containment applications, such as landfill liners, mining heap leach pads, and pond liners. While specifications may vary slightly between the two countries, they generally adhere to international standards and industry best practices.
1. The role of geosynthetic clay liner specifications
The role of geosynthetic clay liner specifications is mainly reflected in the following aspects:
(1) Standardized production: The formulation of specifications can clarify the technical requirements, production processes and quality control standards of the product, promote the standardization and standardization of the geosynthetic clay liner production process, and improve product quality and consistency.
(2) Guarantee project quality: Specifications can clarify the use requirements and performance indicators of geosynthetic clay liners in different projects, ensure that they have good functions and stability in engineering applications, and ensure project quality.
(3) Improve market competitiveness: Products that meet regulatory requirements usually have high quality and reliability, which can enhance the market competitiveness of enterprise products and win the trust of customers.
(4) Promote industry development: The formulation and implementation of specifications will help promote the technological progress and standardized development of the geosynthetic clay liner industry and promote the healthy development of the industry.
(5) Reduce risks and costs: The specification stipulates the technical requirements and testing methods of products, which helps to reduce problems and risks during engineering construction, and reduces maintenance costs and subsequent risks.
In general, the formulation and implementation of geosynthetic clay liner specifications play an important role in standardizing product production, ensuring project quality, promoting industry development, and reducing risks and costs. Both China and the USA have established standards and specifications for GCLs to ensure their quality, performance, and suitability for various environmental containment applications.
2. The specifications of geosynthetic clay liners in the United States
The specifications of geosynthetic clay liners in the United States usually include the following aspects:
(1) Material requirements: Specify the type of raw materials, quality standards, production processes and performance requirements used for geosynthetic clay liners.
(2) Size and thickness: Specify the standard size, thickness range and allowable size deviation of geosynthetic clay liner.
(3) Technical requirements: including technical indicators such as tensile strength, anti-permeability, and chemical stability of the geosynthetic clay liner, as well as performance requirements for interaction with soil.
(4) Installation and construction: Standardize the laying, connection, fixing, and construction of protective layers of geosynthetic clay liners to ensure their correct use in projects.
(5) Inspection and testing: Specifies the methods, standards and requirements for quality inspection and performance testing of geosynthetic clay liners.
Quality control: including quality control requirements and measures during the production, transportation, storage and use of geosynthetic clay liners to ensure that products meet specification requirements.
Geotechnical specifications in the United States are usually developed and published by organizations such as the American Society for Standards and Testing Materials (ASTM) and the U.S. Highway Traffic Safety Administration (FHWA). The best way to obtain specifications and guidance on geosynthetic clay liners is to consult the relevant standards published by ASTM, as well as the technical guidance and research reports published by FHWA.
The American Society for Standards and Testing Materials (ASTM) has developed a number of standards related to geosynthetic clay liners. Some of the major specifications include:
ASTM D5890 - Standard Test Method for Swell Index of Clay Mineral Component of Geosynthetic Clay Liners
ASTM D5887 - Standard Test Method for Measurement of Index Flux through Saturated Geosynthetic Clay Liner Specimens Using a Flexible Wall Permeameter
ASTM D6497 - Standard Test Method for Mechanical Handling of Geosynthetic Clay Liners
ASTM D6496 - Standard Test Method for Determining Average Bonding Peel Strength Between the Top and Bottom Layers of Needle-Punched Geosynthetic Clay Liners
ASTM D5322 - Standard Practice for Immersion Procedures for Evaluating the Chemical Resistance of Geosynthetics to Liquids
ASTM D5898 - Standard Practice for Filtration Efficiency and Hydraulic Performance of Geocomposite Drains
These standards cover the material properties, performance testing methods, installation and use requirements of geosynthetic clay liners, and provide technical guidance and quality control basis for relevant industries.
Geosynthetic clay liner being installed
3. The specifications of geosynthetic clay liners in China
China’s geosynthetic clay liner specifications are usually standard documents promulgated by the National Standardization Administration Committee or relevant departments. These specification documents usually include material technical requirements, product specifications, test methods, quality control standards, etc. to ensure that geosynthetic clay liners have good performance and stability in engineering applications.
Specific specification documents may vary according to different uses and industry needs. Generally speaking, these specification documents will cover the following aspects:
(1) Material requirements: including the selection of raw materials, production technology, appearance quality and other requirements.
(2) Technical indicators: including physical performance indicators, chemical performance indicators, etc. of the product.
(3) Specification requirements: including product size, thickness, weight and other specifications.
(4) Test methods: including standard methods and requirements for testing various properties of the product.
(5) Quality control: including quality control requirements and acceptance standards during the production process.
The issuance and implementation of these normative documents will help standardize the production and application of geosynthetic clay liners, improve product quality, ensure project quality, and promote the healthy development of the geosynthetic materials industry. For specific specifications, please refer to JGT 193-2006 Specification for Sodium Bentonite Geosynthetic Clay Liners.
Haoyang geosynthetic clay liner production and hoisting into storage
The bentonite geosynthetic clay liners of Haoyang Environmental Co., Ltd. are respectively produced in strict accordance with Chinese and American standards. At present, Haoyang's geosynthetic clay liners serve major geotechnical construction companies in China and the USA and are one of the largest geosynthetic clay liner service providers in China.