How to Weld Geomembrane: Extrusion and Fusion
How to weld geomembrane. Geomembrane can be made from several materials, but the most common and popular types in Indonesia are High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE). They are impermeable (waterproof) and are commonly used to protect bases or slopes and to contain liquids or water.
For example, geomembrane is used to line ponds so the water does not mix with the subgrade soil and to prevent loss of water volume.
There are two types of seams: extrusion weld seams and fusion weld seams.
- The Extrusion method joins the sheets using an HDPE rod and a heating tool, similar to welding (heating).
- The Fusion method joins the sheets using a hot wedge tool that heats two overlapping geomembrane sheets (overlapping) so they fuse together.
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Detailed geomembrane specifications
On slopes, seams should run from top to bottom (or vice versa), not across the slope. In corners and irregular geometry, seams should be kept to a minimum.
‘T’ seams must not be closer than 5 feet from the toe of the slope. Seams should be placed so that wrinkles and ‘fish mouths’ are avoided. Any wrinkles or fish mouths (fish mouth) must be cut out and covered with a geomembrane patch (cap-stripped).
