Geomembrane Liners and Covers

This article provides an overview of the use and benefits of factory-fabricated geomembranes. Geomembranes can be seamed at the factory into large panels, folded, transported, and unfolded without damage. These geomembranes are relatively thin, flexible, and are mainly produced by calendaring, lamination, and extrusion manufacturing processes. The use of fabricated geomembranes can facilitate installation of a containment system or cover system by allowing large panels to be factory fabricated. Fabricated geomembranes also result in lower installation and construction quality assurance/construction quality control costs because the use of factory-fabricated panels reduces the amount of field personnel time and equipment. Fabricated geomembranes have more consistent seams than field-assembled geomembranes because the majority of the seams are created in a controlled environment. This helps mitigate destructive sample patches and potential leak paths in the liner.