GRI-GM30 Specification

Coated Tape Polymeric Barriers

• spec covers smooth cPE

• thicknesses 0.61, 76 & 1.02 mm (24, 30 & 40 mils)
• silent on production method
• lists properties, test methods, test values and test
frequencies
• covers ten (10) properties
• this is a MQC generic specification
 Preliminary Comments
• definition of formulation
“A formulation is defined as the exact percentages
and types of resin(s), additives and carbon black
used to make geosynthetic products”
• regarding quantities referred to in the spec
90,000 kg = 200,000 lb ~ 1 railcar
20,000 kg = 45,000 lb ~ 25 rolls of 1.5 mm (60 mil)
9,000 kg = 20,000 lb ~ 10 rolls of 1.5 mm(60 mil)
• formulated density  0.926 g/cc
• no more than 25% rework of same formulation
• no post consumer resin at all!
Physical Properties
1. thickness 2. Weight

Mechanical Properties
3. Strip tensile 6. Index puncture
4. Trouser tear 7. Hydrostatic Resistance
5. CBR puncture 8. Dimensional Stability

Endurance Properties
9. Water Vapor 10. UV resistance
Transmission
 1. Thickness

• follows ASTM D751

• dead weight micrometer with flat tip
• 9.5 mm (0.375 in.) diameter pressure foot
• 1.7 N (6 oz.) mass applied to specimen
• one specimen measured in five places
across roll width
• required for each roll
• average must equal nominal
 2. Weight
• uses ASTM D751 gravimetric
• each railcar: 9,000 kg or 20,000 lb
• specimen at least 129 cm2 (20 in2)
• no specimen near selvage
• die cut
• weigh to nearest 2.8 g (0.1 oz.)
 3. Tensile Properties
• uses ASTM D7003
• min. ave. of 5 MD and 5 XMD
• 25 mm (1 in.) wide
• gage length 75 mm (3 in.)
• speed 300 mm/min (12 in./min)
• every 9000 kg (20,000 lb) ~ 10 rolls
 4. Tongue Tear
• uses ASTM D5884
• min. ave. of 5 MD and 5 XMD
• result of all thicknesses  220 N (50 lb)
• 200 mm (8 in.) kg 200 mm (8 in.) wide
specimen with 75 mm ( 3 in. cut)
• gage length 75 mm (3 in.)
• speed 300 mm/min. (12 in./min)
• every 10,000 kg (20,000 lb) ~ 12 rolls
5. CBR Puncture Resistance
• follows ASTM D6241
• called “CBR” puncture
• min. ave. of 10-tests
• 50 mm (2 in.) diameter probe
• 150 mm (6 in.) diameter hole/opening
• speed 50 mm/min (2 in./min)
• good clamping key to reduce slippage
6. Index/Pin Puncture Resistance
• follows ASTM D4833
• called index or pin puncture
• min. ave. of 15-tests
• 8 mm (0.32 in.) diameter probe
• 45 mm gage opening-hole
• speed 300 mm/min
 7. Hydrostatic Resistance
• follows ASTM D751 (called Mullen burst)
• min. ave. of 5-tests
• every 20,000 kg (40,000 lb) ~ 25 rolls
• 32 mm (1.24 in.) diameter aperture
• barrier is pressurized from below with
water at a rate of 1.4 cm3/sec (5.2
in3/min)
 8. Dimensional Stability

• follows ASTM D1204

• ave. of two tests 250 mm (10 in.) by 250 mm
(10 in.) specimens
• every 9000 kg (20,000 lb) ~ 10 rolls
• measure a-b or x-y center dimension with
ruler or caliper accurate to 0.25 mm (0.01 in.)
• specimen exposed to 100C for 1 hour in
faced air oven
9. Water Vapor Transmission
• follows ASTM E96
• measures Fickian diffusion or hydraulic
conductivity
• looking for dimension change over time
• 3 specimens plus blank
• test condition 32C (90F); 50% RH
• run cups with DPP water inverted
• every 20,000 kg (45,000 lb) ~ 25 rolls
 10. Ultraviolet Resistance
• ASTM D7238 & G154
• assessment of UV stability of the AOs and CB
(there should be synergy)
• uses commercial laboratory weatherometer
• called “ultraviolet fluorescent device” (UVA bulbs,
340 nm)
• 20 hr. UV cycle at 75°C, then 4 hr. condensation
at 60°C
• tensile before and after exposure using ASTM
D7003; > 50% retained
• frequency is per formulation
• response to bending GRI-GM16; no cracking
 Regarding the Warranty
• based on GRI Report #16, i.e., if AOs are present
lifetime ~ 200 yrs.
• GM30 was crafted to be sure the AOs are present
and of proper type, i.e., OIT and oven aging
verification
• also, for geomembrane used in exposed conditions
a UV exposure is included
• recommended material warranty using GM13 spec
is for 5-years (it promises to be 100’s)
• GM30 is silent on any type of installation warranty
(this is the major concern)
Concluding Comments
• specification was essential due to NSF
dropping its Std. 54 in 1997
• mfgrs. want spec for both covered and
exposed GM installations
• this is MQC specification i.e., the
manufacturers required tests,
minimum values and frequencies
• if MQA project specific spec is more
restrictive, manufacturer may ask for
additional compensation
 The Basic Tables Follow

Note: The most recent version of this specification (text and

tables) is available on the GSI Web Site
<geosynthetic-institute.org>.
 American Units

Table 1 – Specification Values for Coated Tape Polyethylene Barriers

Property and Units(1) ASTM or GRI Category 1 – Severe(2) Category 2 – Moderate(2) Category 3 – Light(2) Testing
Test Methods (40 mil – nominal) (30 mil – nominal) (24 mil – nominal) Frequency
Thickness (mils) (min. ave.) ASTM D751 36 27 22 per roll
Weight, (oz/yd2) (min. ave.) ASTM D751 18 15 10 20,000 lb
Strip Tensile Strength(3) (lb) (min. ave.) ASTM D7003 250 225 200 20,000 lb
Strip Tensile Elongation(3) (%) (min. ave.) ASTM D7003 20 20 20 20,000 lb
Trouser Tear(3) (lb) (min. ave.) ASTM D5884 50 50 50 20,000 lb
CBR Puncture (lb) (min. ave.) ASTM D6241 1000 700 400
Index Pin Puncture-Resistance (lb) (min. ave.) ASTM D4833 220 180 160 45,000 lb
Hydrostatic Resistance (psi) (min. ave.) ASTM D751 700 500 300 45,000 lb
Dimensional Stability (% change) (Max) ASTM D1204 3 3 3
Water Vapor Transmission (WVT) ASTM E96 0.3 0.4 0.5 per each
(g/m2-day)(4) (max. ave.) formulation
UV Resistance (fluorescent light method) ASTM D7238
(a) Strength and Elongation retained after ASTM D7003 > 50% retained > 50% retained > 50% retained per each
10,000 light hours
(b) Response to bending GRI GM16 no cracking no cracking no cracking formulation

Notes
(1)All values are minimum, or minimum average, except dimensionally stability and WVT which are maximum values.
(2)The categories refer to the type of subgrade, manner of installation, anchorage/tie downs, and site-specific conditions, see Table 3.
(3)If the tape reinforcement is aligned in any direction other than the machine and transverse directions, specimen shall be cut such that reinforcing yarns are
oriented parallel to the central axis of the tension testing machine.
(4)Performed at 23°  0.5°C temperature and 50%  5% relative humidity.
 SI Units

Table 2 – Specification Values for Coated Tape Polyethylene Barriers

Property and Units(1) ASTM or GRI Category 1 – Category 2 – Moderate(2) Category 3 – Light(2) Testing
Test Methods Severe(2) (0.75 mm – nominal) (0.61 mm – nominal) Frequency
(1 mm – nominal)
Thickness (mm) (min. ave.) ASTM D751 0.91 0.69 0.56 per roll
Weight, (g/m2) (min. ave.) ASTM D751 610 520 340 9,000 kg
Strip Tensile Strength(3) (N) (min. ave.) ASTM D7003 1100 1000 900 9,000 kg
Strip Tensile Elongation(3) (%) (min. ave.) ASTM D7003 20 20 20 9,000 kg
Trouser Tear(3) (N) (min. ave.) ASTM D5884 220 220 220 9,000 kg
CBR Puncture (N) (min. ave.) ASTM D6241 4400 3100 1800
Index Pin Puncture-Resistance (N) (min. ASTM D4833 980 800 700 20,000 kg
ave.)
Hydrostatic Resistance (kPa) (min. ave.) ASTM D751 4800 3400 2000 20,000 kg
Dimensional Stability (% change) (Max) ASTM D1204 3 3 3
Water Vapor Transmission (WVT) ASTM E96 0.3 0.4 0.5 per each
(g/m2-day)(4) (max. ave.) formulation
UV Resistance (fluorescent light method) ASTM D7238
(a) Strength
Notes
and Elongation retained after ASTM D7003 > 50% retained > 50% retained > 50% retained per each
10,000 light hours
(1)All values are minimum, or minimum average, except dimensionally stability and WVT which are maximum values.
(b) Response
(2)The to bending
categories GRIofGM16
refer to the type of subgrade, manner no cracking
installation, anchorage/tie no cracking
downs, and site-specific conditions. no cracking formulation
(3)If the tape reinforcement is aligned in any direction other than the machine and transverse directions, specimen shall be cut such that
reinforcing yarns are oriented parallel to the central axis of the tension testing machine.
(4)Performed at 23°  0.5°C temperature and 50%  5% relative humidity.