Design Standards No. 13 Embankment Dams Chapter 20: Geomembranes Phase 4 (Final) U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation September 2018 Mission Statements The U.S. Department of the Interior protects America’s natural resources and heritage, honors our cultures and tribal communities, and supplies the energy to power our future. The mission of the Bureau of Reclamation is to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public. Design Standards Signature Sheet Design Standards No. 13 Embankment Dams DS-13(20)-16.1: Phase 4 (Final) September 2018 Chapter 20: Geomembranes Revision Number DS-13(20)-16.1 Summary of revisions: • In Section 20.4.6.1.1, on page 20-43 (top of page), in the definition for Q, the words "gallons per minute" were changed to "cubic feet per second." Prepared by: Derek Wittwer, P.E. Date Civil Engineer, Geotechnical Engineering Group 4, 86-68314 - /10 Justin Hall, P.E. Date Civil Edgineer, Geotechnical Engineering Group 2, 86-68312 Peer Review: 1012018 ___ f) z Mike Gobla, P.E. Date Civil Engineer, Geotechnical Engineering Group 3, 86-68313 Submitted: ( Leslie Stone, P.G. Date Chief, Geotechnical Engineering Division Approved: Thomas A. Luebke, P.E. Date Director, Technical Service Center Foreword Purpose The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) design standards present technical requirements and processes to enable design professionals to prepare design documents and reports necessary to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public. Compliance with these design standards assists in the development and improvement of Reclamation facilities in a way that protects the public’s health, safety, and welfare; recognizes needs of all stakeholders; and achieves lasting value and functionality necessary for Reclamation facilities. Responsible designers accomplish this goal through compliance with these design standards and all other applicable technical codes, as well as incorporation of the stakeholders’ vision and values, that are then reflected in the constructed facilities. Application of Design Standards Reclamation design activities, whether performed by Reclamation or by a non- Reclamation entity, must be performed in accordance with established Reclamation design criteria and standards, and approved national design standards, if applicable. Exceptions to this requirement shall be in accordance with provisions of Reclamation Manual Policy, Performing Design and Construction Activities, FAC P03. In addition to these design standards, designers shall integrate sound engineering judgment, applicable national codes and design standards, site-specific technical considerations, and project-specific considerations to ensure suitable designs are produced that protect the public’s investment and safety. Designers shall use the most current edition of national codes and design standards consistent with Reclamation design standards. Reclamation design standards may include exceptions to requirements of national codes and design standards. Proposed Revisions Reclamation designers should inform the Technical Service Center, via Reclamation’s Design Standards Web site notification procedure, of any recommended updates or changes to Reclamation design standards to meet current and/or improved design practices. Chapter Signature Sheet Bureau of Reclamation Technical Service Center Design Standards No. 13 Embankment Dams Chapter 20: Geomembranes DS-13(20)-16.1:1 Phase 4 (Final) September 2018 Chapter 20 – Geomembranes is an existing chapter within Design Standards No. 13 and was revised to include the addition of: • State-of-the-practice design and construction considerations • Bureau of Reclamation geomembrane installation case histories • Removal of extraneous polymeric manufacturing discussion and dated installation techniques 1 DS-13(20)-16.1 refers to Design Standards No. 13, chapter 20, revision 16, minor intermediate revision 1. Prepared by: Derek VVittwer, RE. Date Civil Engineer, Geotechnical Engineering Group 4, 86-68314 Justirl Hall, P.E. Date Civil ngineer, Geotechnical Engineering Group 2, 86-68312 Peer Review: Michael Gobla, RE. Date Civil Engineer, Geotechnical Engineering Group 3, 86-68313 Sec Review: 3,45/i obert L. Dewey, P.E. Date Technical Specialist, hnical Services Division, 86-68300 Recommended for Technical Approval: 61) 3h1f 2-O/ Allen H. Kiene, P.E. Date Civil Engineer, Geotechnical Engineering Group 2, 86-68312 Submitted: aztil/L. Ka en Knight, P.E. Chief, Geotechnicaf Services Division, 86-68300 Approved: / Tom Luebke Date Director, Technical Service Center, 86-68000 Contents Page Chapter 20: Geomembranes 20.1 Introduction ...................................................................................... 20-1 20.1.1 Purpose ............................................................................. 20-1 20.1.2 Scope ................................................................................ 20-2 20.1.3 Deviations from Standard ................................................ 20-2 20.1.4 Revisions of Standard ...................................................... 20-2 20.1.5 Applicability .................................................................... 20-2 20.2 Geomembrane Materials .................................................................. 20-2 20.2.1 Common Geomembrane Types ....................................... 20-3 20.2.1.1 Covered Geomembranes .............................. 20-3 20.2.1.2 Exposed Geomembranes .............................. 20-3 20.2.2 Manufacturing Processes ................................................. 20-4 20.2.2.1 Extrusion ...................................................... 20-5 20.2.2.2 Calendaring .................................................. 20-5 20.2.2.3 Spread Coating ............................................. 20-6 20.2.3 Comparison of Geomembranes........................................ 20-6 20.2.3.1 High-density Polyethylene .......................... 20-6 20.2.3.2 Linear Low-density Polyethylene ................ 20-6 20.2.3.3 Polyvinyl Chloride ....................................... 20-7 20.2.3.4 Chlorosulphonated Polyethylene ................. 20-7 20.2.3.5 Ethylene Propylene Diene Terpolymer ........ 20-7 20.2.3.6 fPP ........................................................ 20-8 20.3 Geomembrane Applications for Embankment Dams ...................... 20-8 20.3.1 Embankment Facing ........................................................ 20-9 20.3.1.1 McDonald Dam .......................................... 20-10 20.3.2 Embankment Core ......................................................... 20-12 20.3.2.1 Pactola Dam ............................................... 20-14 20.3.3 Reservoir Lining and Upstream Blankets ...................... 20-17 20.3.3.1 Horsetooth Reservoir ................................. 20-18 20.3.3.2 Warren H. Brock Reservoir ....................... 20-19 20.3.3.3 Mount Elbert Forebay Reservoir ............... 20-21 20.3.3.4 Black Lake Dam ........................................ 20-22 20.3.3.5 Pablo Dam .................................................. 20-23 20.3.4 Cutoff Walls ................................................................... 20-25 20.3.4.1 Reach 11 Dikes .......................................... 20-27 20.4 Design Considerations ................................................................... 20-28 20.4.1 Laboratory Testing ......................................................... 20-29 20.4.1.1 Physical Properties ..................................... 20-29 20.4.1.2 Mechanical Properties ................................ 20-30 20.4.1.3 Endurance Properties ................................. 20-30 20.4.2 Interface Strength ........................................................... 20-31 20.4.2.1 Interface Strength Scenarios ...................... 20-31 DS-13(20)-16.1 September 2018 20-i Contents (continued) Page 20.4.2.2 Typical Interface Strength Values ............. 20-32 20.4.3 Slope Geometry ............................................................. 20-34 20.4.4 Seam Design .................................................................. 20-34 20.4.5 Anchor Trench and Connections ................................... 20-35 20.4.5.1 Anchorage Design ...................................... 20-35 20.4.5.2 Connections to Rigid Structures ................ 20-38 20.4.6 Leakage .......................................................................... 20-40 20.4.6.1 Leakage Evaluation .................................... 20-41 20.4.6.2 Design Considerations to Avoid Puncturing of Geomembranes ............ 20-43 20.4.6.3 Leakage Collection and Detection ............. 20-45 20.4.7 Uplift .............................................................................. 20-45 20.4.7.1 Wind ........................................................... 20-45 20.4.7.2 Buoyancy ................................................... 20-47 20.4.8 Settlement ...................................................................... 20-48 20.4.8.1 Connections with Abutments ..................... 20-48 20.4.8.2 Connection with Concrete Structures ........ 20-49 20.4.8.3 Use of Soil Reinforcement to Minimize Differential Settlement ........................................... 20-51 20.4.9 Exposed Versus Covered Geomembrane ....................... 20-52 20.4.10 Protective Cover Design ...............................................