(Originally aired 9/18/25 on Zoom)
It is a known but rarely discussed fact that the material texturing within the geomembrane interface being welded can impact the quality of the weld. Examination of geomembrane installations showed production welds having a textured interface failed destructive testing at a rate of over 250% greater than those with a smooth-smooth interface. Could this hidden variable be undermining your entire containment system installation quality?
Destructive seam testing is one of the industry standard approaches and key quality control tools used to validate seam integrity in geomembrane installation. However, the methodology and guidance protocols for sampling and failure tracking are significantly lacking when it comes to targeting the different interfaces often encountered on installation projects where textured geomembrane is used.
Industry standards seemingly assume a “one size fits all” approach to seam integrity, but the research says otherwise. In this session, Glen will explore why sampling based solely on distance or operator/machine combo falls short – and how seemingly minor oversights can lead to major consequences. Glen will dive into the research data from these projects and look at welding footages by interface, failure rates, and common sampling strategies. From this examination, he’ll offer practical, data-backed strategies to improve destructive sample targeting, particularly around seam interfaces that are often overlooked.
If you think your project is in the clear just because it passed certification, think again. Join us to learn how to identify hidden weaknesses in your QA protocols and walk away with actionable steps to boost both the defensibility and quality of your containment liner installation.
