Relationship between temperature and peel strength of double hot wedge HDPE geomembranes seams

Abstract

In landfills, the decision of conformity/non-conformity of HDPE geomembranes double hot wedge seams is usually evaluated by destructive tests: peel and shear tests. Laboratory tests were conducted to study the influence of the temperature on peel strength of the seams. Eleven temperatures, ranging from 4 to 36ºC, were considered. Two samples of HDPE geomembrane seams were used. For each temperature, both peel strength value and mode of rupture were recorded. Based on the results obtained, some correlations between peel strength and temperature values are proposed. As in the field it is not always easy to guarantee the accomplishment of the tests at the standardised temperature these correlations are very important to support the right decision of acceptance or rejection of the field seams.