• Corpus ID: 201054775

LONG-TERM PERFORMANCE AND LIFETIME PREDICTION OF GEOSYNTHETICS

@inproceedings{Hsuan2008LONGTERMPA,
  title={LONG-TERM PERFORMANCE AND LIFETIME PREDICTION OF GEOSYNTHETICS},
  author={Yi Hsuan and H. F. Schroeder and Kerry R. Rowe and Werner M{\"u}ller and Jh Greenwood and Daniele Cazzuffi and Robert M. Koerner},
  year={2008}
}

• Y. Hsuan, H. F. Schroeder, +4 authors R. Koerner
• Published 2008
• Materials Science

To properly understand and assess the long-term behaviour of geosynthetic materials it is necessary to investigate the various types of possible degradation mechanims. This includes both chemical and mechanical behaviour, and sometimes even their interactions with one another. Clearly, chemical degradation of geosynthetics depends on the polymer type. For example, polyolefins are vulnerable to oxidation; polyesters are susceptible to hydrolysis; and plasticizers can leach from polyvinyl chloride. This paper describes the concept of these three types of degradation, but focuses on the oxidation of polyolefins since the majority of the geosynthetics is made from this type of polymer. The methods used to predict the lifetime of antioxidants and service life of the geosynthetic material will be illustrated. Furthermore, the influence of temperature, pressure, and ultraviolet light on the service life are also demonstrated. Finally, the current specifications targeting the longevity of different geosynthetics are presented. Regarding mechanical degradation, the paper mainly focuses upon the creep deformation of geogrids and stress crack resistance (SCR) of polyethylene geomembranes and geopipe. The method to assess stress crack resistance is described, and the microscopic mechanisms that lead to such failure are explained. For creep evaluation, different acceleration tests are presented and their applicability with respect to the different types of polymers is illustrated. In addition, the long-term shear behaviour of geocomposites and geosynthetic clay liners is presented.