Every year, more and more roads and highways are constructed to meet growing demands. However, this new construction or expansion of infrastructure may end up being built over loose or soft soil that does not have the ability to support the associated loads.

In the coming years, Alaska, the Arctic, and similar cold weather regions are expected to play a major role in supplying future energy needs for the world. As energy resources continue to be pursued in these extreme climates to meet the energy demands of society, protection of our natural resources is essential. Primary and secondary containment must keep pace with the energy - technology platform to guard against contamination of our environmental assets.

Principal and Materials Scientist/Engineer Dr. Ian D. Peggs has been working with polymers and composites in the field and laboratory for over 25 years, and in his “Geomembrane Liner Durability: Contributing Factors and the Status Quo” paper, he states that nothing is absolutely impermeable.

Performing regular geomembrane inspections (where applicable) is critical and necessary for a successful long-term installation. Ongoing inspections can minimize field repairs and also prevent premature failure.

Geomembranes can fail for a variety of reasons. A failure in a geomembrane can result in serious damage to the surrounding environment and ecosystem. In order to help keep your geomembrane performing at its best, here are three common geomembrane failure mechanisms to keep in mind.

Ethylene interpolymer alloy (EIA) has demonstrated superior chlorine resistance and has gained widespread acceptance in the geomembrane market as a result. So what exactly are EIA Geomembranes and the properties that afford them superior chlorine resistance?

The three largest Naval Fuel Depots in the world rely on a flexible geomembrane for secondary oil containment for fuel storage. Secondary containment is provided both under the floors of the tanks and lining the fuel spill containment berms.

There are pros and cons to either leaving a geomembrane liner exposed (no cover) or burying it (complete cover). Let’s look at the issues.

Geomembrane liners are often used in impoundments to prevent the migration of wastes out of the impoundment to the adjacent subsurface soil, groundwater, or surface water. Impoundment liners are used significantly in the energy industry to contain fresh water and wastewater, drilling waste, evaporation pits, and coal ash. Geomembrane liners used in these types of applications are made from a wide range of polymeric materials and different types of constructions.

How do you choose the right one for your exact application? In order to prevent contamination of the surrounding environment, careful consideration must be given to determine the best high-performance geomembrane liner that meets the precise requirements of the impoundment.