ASTM D5641/D5641M-16 - 1.7.2016
 
Significance and Use

5.1 This practice is a nondestructive evaluation intended to be used for quality control purposes during factory or field seaming of geomembranes.

5.2 This practice may also be used to evaluate geomembrane panels for holes that penetrate the entire thickness of material. Limitations on the test practice are that it may not be suitable for uneven or curved surfaces, thick seams, seams in corners, and thin extensible geomembranes.

 
1. Scope

1.1 This practice covers procedures to perform nondestructive quality control testing described in Practice D4437/D4437M and Practice D4545 for evaluating the continuity of all types of geomembrane seams using the bubble emission or vacuum chamber method.

1.2 The technique described in this practice is intended for use on geomembrane seams, patches, and defects.

1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

 
2. Referenced Documents

EPA/530/SW-91/051

Inspection Techniques for the Fabrication of Geomembrane Field Seams Available from the U.S. Government Publishing Office, 732 N. Capitol St., NW, Washington, DC 20401-0001, http://www.gpo.gov.

D4545-86(1999)

Standard Practice for Determining the Integrity of Factory Seams Used in Joining Manufactured Flexible Sheet Geomembranes (Withdrawn 2008)

D4439-25a

Standard Terminology for Geosynthetics (Includes all amendments and changes 9/30/2025).

E515-11(2022)

Standard Practice for Leaks Using Bubble Emission Techniques

D4437/D4437M-16(2023)

Standard Practice for Nondestructive Testing (NDT) for Determining the Integrity of Seams Used in Joining Flexible Polymeric Sheet Geomembranes