ASTM D6214/D6214M-23

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Designation: D6214/D6214M − 98 (Reapproved 2022) D6214/D6214M − 23
Standard Test Method for
Determining the Integrity of Field Seams Used in Joining
Geomembranes by Chemical Fusion Methods
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6214/D6214M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the
year of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last
reapproval. A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This test method covers an accelerated, destructive test method for geomembranes in a geotechnical application.
1.2 This test is applicable to field-fabricated geomembranes that are scrim reinforced or nonreinforced.
1.3 This test method is applicable for field seaming processes that use a chemical fusion agent or bodied chemical fusion agent
as the seaming mechanism.
1.4 Subsequent decisions as to seam acceptance criteria are made according to the site-specific contract plans, specification, and
CQC/CQA documents.
1.5 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each
system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be used
independently of the other, and values from the two systems shall not be combined.
1.6 Hazardous Materials—Always consult the proper Material Safety Data Sheets for any hazardous materials used for proper
ventilation and protection. The use of the oven in this test method may accelerate fume production from the test specimen.specimen
and solvent(s) used to bond them.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.8 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D413 Test Methods for Rubber Property—Adhesion to Flexible Substrate
D638 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.10 on Geomembranes.
Current edition approved Jan. 15, 2022Nov. 1, 2023. Published January 2022November 2023. Originally approved in 1997. Last previous edition approved in 20132022
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as D6214/D6214M – 98 (2013)(2022). . DOI: 10.1520/D6214_D6214M-98R22.10.1520/D6214_D6214M-23.
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volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
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D6214/D6214M − 23
D751 Test Methods for Coated Fabrics
D882 Test Method for Tensile Properties of Thin Plastic Sheeting
D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
2.2 ANSI/NSF Standard:
ANSI/NSF Standard 54
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 bodied chemical agent, n—a chemical fluid containing a portion of the parent geomembrane polymer, that dissolves the
surface of the geomembrane to be bonded.
3.1.2 bodied-chemical fusion seams, n—use of a bodied chemical agent to dissolve the surfaces of the geomembrane for bonding.
3.1.2.1 Discussion—
Heat and pressure are commonly used as part of the bodied chemical fusion process.
3.1.3 chemical agent, n—a chemical fluid that dissolves the surface of the geomembrane to be bonded.
3.1.4 chemical fusion seams, n—use of a chemical agent to dissolve the surface of the geomembrane for bonding.
3.1.4.1 Discussion—
Heat and pressure are commonly used as part of the chemical fusion process.
3.2 For other terms, refer to Terminology D4439.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 Significance—The increased use of geomembranes as barrier materials to restrict fluid migration from one location to another
in various applications, and the various types of seaming methods used in joining geomembrane sheets, has created a need to
standardize tests by which the various seams can be compared and the quality of the seam systems can be evaluated. This test
method is intended to meet such a need.
4.2 Use—Accelerated seam test provides information as to the status of the field seam. Data obtained by this test method should
be used with site-specific contract plans, specification, and CQC/CQA documents. This test method is useful for specification
testing and for comparative purposes, but does not necessarily measure the ultimate strength that the seam may acquire.
5. Apparatus
5.1 A testing machine of the constant rate of cross head movement type comprising essentially of the following:
5.1.1 Fixed Member—A fixed or essentially stationary member carrying one grip.
5.1.2 Movable Member—A movable member carrying a second grip.
5.1.3 Grips—Grips for holding the test specimen between the fixed member and the movable member and minimizing both
slippage and uneven stress distribution. The grips shall be self-aligning so that they shall be attached to the fixed and movable
member, respectively, in such a manner that they will move freely into alignment as soon as any load is applied, so that the long
axis of the test specimen will coincide with the direction of the applied pull through the center line of the grip assembly.
NOTE 1—Grips lined with thin rubber, crocus-cloth, or pressure-sensitive tape, as well as file-faced or serrated grips, have been successfully used for many
materials. The choice of grip surface will depend on the material tested, thickness, etc.
5.1.4 Drive Mechanism—A drive mechanism for imparting to the movable member in uniform, controlled velocity with respect
to the stationary member. Unless otherwise specified in the material specification, the mechanism shall be capable of and adjusted
so that the movable member shall have a uniform speed of 50 mm/min, [2 in./min], 300305 mm/min [12 in./min], and 500508
mm/min [20 in./min.]
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D6214/D6214M − 23
5.1.5 Load Indicator—A suitable load-indicating mechanism capable of showing the total tensile load carried by the test specimen
when held by the grips. This mechanism shall be essentially free of inertia lag at the specified rate of testing and shall indicate
the load with an accuracy of 61 % of the indicated value or better.
5.1.6 Extension Indicator (Extensometer) (If Employed)—A suitable instrument shall be used for determining the distance between
two designated points within the gage length of the test specimen as the specimen is stretched and shall conform to requirements
specified in Test Method D638.
5.2 Oven—An oven of sufficient size to hold a rack containing at least three 30 cm305 mm [12 in.] wide test strip samples for
accelerated curing is necessary. The oven should be a forced convection oven and must be capable of maintaining a temperature
of 50 °C [122 °F] 6 3 °C [6 °F][5 °F] for at least 16 h.
5.3 Rack—A rack for holding and positioning the test strip horizontally or vertically in an oven is necessary. The samples must
be separated from one another so that the air is free to move completely around the samples without obstruction to allow for
dissipation of vapors.
6. Materials
6.1 The geomembrane material (reinforced or nonreinforced) shall be capable of being bonded to itself by one of the methods
described in Section 3 according to the geomembrane manufacturers’ recommendations and instructions.
7. Sampling, Test Specimens, and Test Units
7.1 Trial Seam Sample—A representative seam from each seaming crew, fabricated from the same sheet material, and using the
same seaming methods as those recommended by the geomembrane frabricator, installer, or sheet manufacturer, or all of these, will
be used for this test method.
7.1.1 The trial seam sample shall be no loss than 3 m [10 ft] in length for this method.
7.1.2 For nonreinforced geomembranes, cut five 2525.4 mm [1 in.] wide specimens for shear and five 2525.4 mm [1 in.] wide
specimens for peel testing from the trial seam sample after the sample has been cured in accordance with Section 8.
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