Lining

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Example of the Use of a Geomembrane as a Liner

Natural Lining Materials

Natural linings used to control or prevent seepage through embankment dams can include compacted earth (typically clays and silts with low permeabilities) in conjunction with other seepage barriers such as steel, concrete, gunite, asphaltic concrete, or soil cement.

Synthetic Lining Materials

"Geomembranes are manmade, low-permeability membrane liners or barriers formed into thin sheets used to control the migration of a fluid. A common application of geomembranes includes seepage barriers for geotechnical structures constructed essentially with soil and/or rock such as embankment dams. Geomembrane is a generic term that has been proposed to replace many terms such as synthetic membranes, polymeric membranes, plastic liners, flexible membrane liners, impermeable membranes, and impervious sheets."

Best Practices Resources

Design Standards No. 13: Embankment Dams (Ch. 20: Geomembranes) (USBR, 2018)

Trainings

On-Demand Webinar: Specialty Construction Techniques for Foundation Improvement and Seepage Reduction

On-Demand Webinar: Seepage Rehabilitation for Embankment Dams

On-Demand Webinar: Underwater Installation of Geomembranes

Citations:

Revision ID: 5592
Revision Date: 12/14/2022