ASTM_D_7007_-_15.pdf

Designation:D700715Standard Practices forElectrical Methods for Locating Leaks in GeomembranesCovered with Water or Earthen Materials1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7007;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 These practices cover standard procedures for usingelectrical methods to locate leaks in geomembranes coveredwith water or earthen materials.For clarity,this practice usesthe term“leak”to mean holes,punctures,tears,knife cuts,seam defects,cracks,and similar breaches in an installedgeomembrane(as defined in 3.2.5).1.2 These practices are intended to ensure that leak locationsurveys are performed with demonstrated leak detection capa-bility.To allow further innovations,and because various leaklocation practitioners use a wide variety of procedures andequipment to perform these surveys,performance-based opera-tions are used that specify the minimum leak detection perfor-mance for the equipment and procedures.1.3 These practices require that the leak location equipment,procedures,and survey parameters used are demonstrated toresult in an established minimum leak detection distance.Thesurvey shall then be conducted using the demonstratedequipment,procedures,and survey parameters.1.4 Separate procedures are given for leak location surveysfor geomembranes covered with water and for geomembranescovered with earthen materials.Separate procedures are givenfor leak detection distance tests using actual and artificial leaks.1.5 Examples of methods of data analysis for soil-coveredsurveys are provided as guidance in Appendix X1.1.6 Leak location surveys can be used on geomembranesinstalled in basins,ponds,tanks,ore and waste pads,landfillcells,landfill caps,and other containment facilities.Theprocedures are applicable for geomembranes made of materialssuch as polyethylene,polypropylene,polyvinyl chloride,chlo-rosulfonated polyethylene,bituminous material,and otherelectrically-insulating materials.1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded asstandard.No other units of measurement are included in thisstandard.1.8(WarningThe electrical methods used for geomem-brane leak location could use high voltages,resulting in thepotential for electrical shock or electrocution.This hazardmight be increased because operations might be conducted inor near water.In particular,a high voltage could exist betweenthe water or earthen material and earth ground,or anygrounded conductor.These procedures are potentially VERYDANGEROUS,and can result in personal injury or death.Theelectrical methods used for geomembrane leak location shouldbe attempted only by qualified and experienced personnel.Appropriate safety measures must be taken to protect the leaklocation operators as well as other people at the site.)1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D4439 Terminology for GeosyntheticsD6747 Guide for Selection of Techniques for Electrical LeakLocation of Leaks in Geomembranes3.Terminology3.1 For general definitions related to geosynthetics,seeTerminology D4439.3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.2.1 artificial leak,nan electrical simulation of a leak ina geomembrane.3.2.2 current source electrode,nthe electrode that isplaced in the water or earthen material above the geomem-brane.3.2.3 dipole measurement,nan electrical measurementmade on or in a partially conductive material using twoclosely-spaced electrodes.1These practices are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 onGeosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.10 on Geomem-branes.Current edition approved Jan.1,2015.Published February 2015.Originallyapproved in 2003.Last previous edition approved in 2009 as D700709.DOI:10.1520/D7007-15.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 3.2.4 earthen material,nsand,gravel,clay,silt,combina-tions of these materials,and similar materials with at leastminimal moisture for electrical current conduction.3.2.5 leak,nfor the purposes of these practices,a leak isany unintended opening,perforation,breach,slit,tear,puncture,crack,or seam breach.Significant amounts of liquidsor solids may or may not flow through a leak.Scratches,gouges,dents,or other