ABSTRACT
One of the most underrated properties of geomembranes i s puncture resistance and one of the l e a s t s p e c i f i e d t e s t methods i s puncture ! This i s t o t a l l y i l l o g i c a l when considering the i n t e g r i t y of the geomembrane f o r the l i f e of the containment, e s p e c i a l l y the containment of wastes and the protection of our environment. During i n s t a l l a t i o n , the geomembrane can be punctured by to o l s , machinery, aggregate or protrusions i n the subgrade. During placement of the s o i l cover, f a l l i n g rocks or equipment pressure may puncture the geomembrane and once covered, holes are not v i s i b l e . During the service l i f e of the f a c i l i t y , the geomembrane could be punctured by gradual subsidence and pi e r c i n g eventually forming holes. Uncovered geomembranes are always subject to animal t r a f f i c , i c e action, f l o a t i n g debris, or aggregate f a l l i n g down slope. Consequently, a high resistance to puncture i s an important geomembrane or geocomposite property. Figures 7.1 and 7.2 i l l u s t r a t e f i e l d stress and puncture.
