Bituminous geomembrane
Bituminous geomembrane (BGM) is a type of geomembrane consisting of a reinforcing geotextile to provide mechanical strength and elastomeric bitumen (often called asphalt in U.S.) to provide impermeability. Other components such as sand, a glass fleece, and/or a polyester film can be incorporated into the layers of a BGM.[1] Bituminous geomembranes are differentiated from bituminous waterproofing materials used in buildings due in part to their wide roll width, which can exceed 5m, and their substantial thickness of up to 6.0mm.
These properties are designed for environmental protection, civil infrastructure, and mining applications.[2]
Properties
[edit]| Property | Standard | Units | Value | Application Relevance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion | ASTM D 696 | °C⁻¹ | 10−5 | A low coefficient of thermal expansion prevents problematic wrinkling with exposure to temperature variation. |
| Density | ASTM D 792-20 | g/cm³ | 1.27 | High density (greater than water) is useful for submersed applications, limiting wind uplift, and safer installation in windy conditions. |
| Elongation at Break | ASTM D 7275 | % | >60 | Elongation capacity combined with tensile strength provides toughness allowing light traffic during installation and accommodating differential settlement in service. |
| Friction Angle (sand side) | NF EN 495-2 | ° | 39.5 | A high friction angle allows for safer installation and greater slope stability. |
| Cold Bending - Lowest Temperature | ASTM D 746 | °C | -20 | Cold bending relates to the ability to use and manipulate the geomembrane in cold conditions. |
| Water Permeability | ASTM E 96 | m/s | < 6.10⁻¹⁴ | The extremely low water permeability of a BGM aligns with the high standards typical of geomembranes. |
| Gas Permeability (Methane Transmission Rate) | ASTM D 1434-82 | m³/(m2.d.atm) | < 2.10⁻⁴ | A useful index for gas barrier applications. |
History
[edit]The earliest estimated use of bitumen dates back 40,000 years to the paleolithic age and the historical use of bitumen as a waterproofing layer is extensive and well documented.[4]
In 1926, successful experiments were conducted by the South Carolina Highway Department in which cotton fabric was installed on-site in combination with hot bitumen for road surface treatment. Continued experimentation and practical experience led to the development of prefabricated hessian woven fabrics with factory coated bitumen. Known as 'bithess' this material was made in significant quantities for rapid deployment in airfields and roads in World War II. By controlling the moisture content to maintain subgrade strength, this early geomembrane was credited by General William Slim to have played a significant role in the advance of the Burma campaign, a theater famous for its challenging jungle terrain and wet weather conditions.[5]
Bitumen emulsion applied to polypropylene geotextiles was reported to have been used in a Nevada heap leach mining installation as early as 1973. Published literature describing the modern development of the bituminous geomembrane can be traced back to the first double-liner system conceived of in 1974 by geosynthetics pioneer, J.P. Giroud. This novel bituminous geomembrane was made by spraying hot bitumen in-situ onto a polyester geotextile.[6] Soon after these early installations, factory manufactured BGMs were developed with factory impregnation of bitumen into the geotextile allowing a high standard of quality control. Spray applied BGMs went entirely out of favor by 1988.[7]
| Project | Country | Type | Date Completed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Le Pont-de-Claix Water Reservoir[8] | France | Water | 1974 |
| Ospedale Reservoir[9] | Corsica | Water | 1978 |
| Parc des Chanteraines | France | Water | 1982, 2020 |
| Manche storage centre[10] | France | Environmental Protection | 1994 |
| Ortolo Reservoir[11] | Corsica | Water | 1996 |
| La Galaube Dam[12] | France | Water | 2000 |
| Kildare Bypass[13] | Ireland | Transportation | 2003 |
| Diavik Diamond Mine[14] | Canada | Mining | 2007 |
| Kittilä mine[15] | Finland | Mining | 2007, 2008 |
| Las Bambas copper mine[16] | Peru | Mining | 2012, 2014 |
| Dolores mine[17] | Mexico | Mining | 2013, 2014, 2017, 2020 |
| St. George Regional Airport[18] | United States | Transportation | 2019 |
| Pench Right Canal[19] | India | Water | 2019, 2022 |
| Stockton Mine[20] | New Zealand | Mining | 2022 |
References
[edit]- ^ Touze-Foltz, N. & Farcas, F. (2017). "Long-term performance and binder chemical structure evolution of elastomeric bituminous geomembranes". Geotextiles and Geomembranes. 45 (2): 121–130. doi:10.1016/j.geotexmem.2017.01.003. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
- ^ Scuero, Alberto; Vaschetti, Gabriella (2010). Geomembrane sealing systems for dams: ICOLD Bulletin 135 (Report). p. 23. doi:10.1007/s41062-017-0089-0.
- ^ Kendall, McIlwraith. Advanced Application of Bituminous Geomembrane (BGM) in Waste Capping: Australia. 12th International Conference on Geosynthetics. Rome, Italy: Taylor & Francis.
- ^ Boëda, E.; Connan, J.; Dessort, D. (March 1996). "Bitumen as a hafting material on Middle Palaeolithic artefacts". Nature. 380: 336–338. doi:10.1038/380336a0.
- ^ Craig, William H.; Gallagher, Eugene M.; Wang, Xiaoxue (September 1, 2015). "The use of prefabricated bituminous surfacing geosynthetic in World War II and beyond". Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Ground Improvement. 168 (2): 96–105. doi:10.1680/grim.13.00039.
- ^ Giroud, J.P; Gourc, J.P. (2014). The first double geomembrane liner forty years later. 10th International Conference on Geosynthetics. Berlin, Germany: The International Geosynthetics Society.
- ^ Scuero, Alberto; Vaschetti, Gabriella (2010). Geomembrane sealing systems for dams: ICOLD Bulletin 135 (Report). p. 16. doi:10.1007/s41062-017-0089-0.
- ^ Giroud, J.P; Gourc, J.P. (2014). The first double geomembrane liner forty years later. 10th International Conference on Geosynthetics. Berlin, Germany: The International Geosynthetics Society.
- ^ Turley, M.; Gautier, J-L. (2004). Twenty five years experience using bituminous geomembranes as upstream waterproofing for structures (PDF). Canterbury, Kent: Proceedings of the British Dam Society.
- ^ Ossena, G.; Breul, B.; Herment, R. (1994). Bituminous Membrane Cap of a Radioactive Waste Landfill – Quality Program. Singapore: Proceedings of the International Geosynthetics Society ICG 5.
- ^ Turley, M.; Gautier, J-L. (2004). Twenty five years experience using bituminous geomembranes as upstream waterproofing for structures (PDF). Canterbury, Kent: Proceedings of the British Dam Society.
- ^ Breul, Bernard; Breul, Bertrand; Daly, Natalie (April 1, 2018). "Bituminous Geomembranes on a French Dam." Geosynthetics Magazine. [Online] Available: https://geosyntheticsmagazine.com/2018/04/01/bituminous-geomembranes-on-a-french-dam/
- ^ Coppinger, J.; Farrell, E. R.; Cherrill, H.; Stenson, G.; Breul, B.; Caquel, F.; Giroud, J. P. (2002). Use of bituminous geomembrane to reduce environmental impact of road in aquifer (PDF). Geosynthetics – 7th ICG. Nice, France: Swets & Zeitlinger, Lisse. pp. 921–926. ISBN 90-5809-523-1.
- ^ Cunning, John; Isidoro, Allison; Eldridge, Terry; Reinson, Jeff (2008). Dam Construction at Diavik using Bituminous Geomembrane Liners (PDF). Edmonton, Alberta, Canada: Proceedings of the GeoEdmonton 2008 Conference. pp. 933–939.
- ^ Bruel, B.; Huru, M.; Palolahti, A. (2009). Using a bituminous geomembrane liner at the Kittilä Gold Mine in northern Finland. Edinburgh, United Kingdom: Proceedings of the EuroGeo4 Conference.
- ^ Daly, Natalie; Escobar, Emilio; Breul, Bertrand (2020). Bituminous Geomembranes (BGM), 15 years of presence in Latin America for Hydraulic Applications (PDF). Rio De Janeiro, Brazil: Proceedings of the GeoAmericas 2020 Conference.
- ^ Daly, Natalie; Aguirre, Ted; Bruel, Bernard; Barfett, Ben (2018). Bituminous geomembranes (BGM) for heap leach pads and dumps for solid wastes in mine construction (PDF). Edmonton, Alberta, Canada: Proceedings of the GeoEdmonton 2018 Conference.
- ^ Havens, Emily. (July 10, 2019). "A Closer View: St. George Regional Airport's Massive Runway Reconstruction Is on Track." The Spectrum. [Online] Available: https://www.thespectrum.com/story/news/2019/07/10/closer-view-st-george-regional-airports-runway-project-track/1693296001/
- ^ Llinas, Pau; Breul, Bertrand (2023). Bituminous Geomembrane (BGM) in hot climates for hydraulic construction. 4th African Regional Conference on Geosynthetics (GeoAfrica 2023). Art. 02011. doi:10.1051/e3sconf/202336802011. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
- ^ "Greener Solution To Contain Coal Mining By-Product In New Zealand" (PDF). International Geosynthetics Society. August 24, 2023. Retrieved 2024-04-18.