Dedicated to advancing the use of fabricated flexible geomembranes through education, research, and technology transfer.

WHY?
Factory fabrication reduces field welding, reduces installation time and costs, allows modular construction and provides consistent seam and liner quality.

Geomembrane Test Method Videos Now Available

FGI has created FIELD AND FACTORY VIDEOS for the following
Test Methods:

ASTM D1239 Chemical Resistance, ASTM D1203 Volatile Loss, D5641 Vacuum Chamber, ASTM D4437 Air Lance Test,
ASTM D5994 Thickness (Textured), D5119 Procedure B Thickness (Smooth), ASTM D7408 Seam Peel Strength, ASTM D882 Tensile Properties & D7408 Seam Shear Strength, ASTM D1204 Dimensional Stability, ASTM D1790 Brittleness Temperature.

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View Our Latest Webinar: Role of Geosynthetics in Combating the Effects of Global Warming

Recorded February 16, 2023

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Design and Installation Detail Drawings Available

Details available for constructing a containment facility including pipe boots, concrete attachments, penetrations, and vent details.  Both PDF and DWG available.

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Garrison Dam National Fish Hatchery

GEOMEMBRANE APPLICATION: 
Fish Rearing Ponds
MATERIALS USED:
Viaflex Dura-Skrim N45B 45 mil thick Reinforced LLDPE Geomembrane Propex 801 GEOTEX Geotextile, and factory fabricated Ballast Tubes
MEMBER COMPANY: 
International Cover Systems (ICS) and Viaflex

The Garrison Dam National Fish Hatchery in North Dakota is a federal facility, which produces over 10 million native fish annually. Along with the role of providing fish for restoration stockings or balancing fish populations, the facility is also an attraction for tens of thousands of tourists annually. This project consists of lining five of their existing 66 fish rearing ponds with geosynthetics. The subgrade is a clay/sand mix which was graded, compacted, and cleared of any rocks, roots and other potential penetration hazards prior to arrival of International Cover Systems on-site to install the geosynthetics. Each of the five ponds were lined with six specifically factory fabricated panels for ease and speed of deployment. In addition, 205 factory fabricated ballast tubes ranging from 32 to 46 ft long were filled on-site with Peastone and placed on the deployed geomembrane panels after they were seamed and quality tested. The geomembrane was secured with battening to all of the associated concrete structures.

LESSONS LEARNED 

Originally, the designer for this project specified a 45mil thick reinforced polypropylene (45RPP) geomembrane due to its UV resistance in long-term exposures, high puncture resistance, tear strength, cold cracking resistance, and potable water qualities, which are compatible with fish rearing. Due to supply chain issues after the project was awarded, 45RPP geomembrane was not available for the duration of the specified project timeframe. As a result, project engineers substituted Viaflex Dura-Skrim N45 45 mil thick reinforced linear-low density polyethylene (LLDPE) geomembrane for the pond liner system. Not only was the LLDPE geomembrane available within the project timeframe scope, it also shares similar properties that originally attracted the designer to the 45RPP geomembrane.

HOW THE USE OF FABRICATION IMPROVED THIS PROJECT

The use of factory fabricated geomembranes and ballast tubes aided the project in a variety of ways. This project was originally scheduled for installation in August 2021,giving the installation crew many hours of weldable temperatures and weather. Due to the aforementioned supply chain issues of the originally specified geomembrane, the project was delayed until late October 2021. Temperatures in Riverdale, North Dakota during late October limited welding operations to only a few hours per day. As a result, it was important to minimize the amount of field geomembrane seaming, which was accomplished by factory fabricating large panels. Deploying the geotextile underlayment and large fabricated panels for the first part of the day allowed ICS to perform quality welding operations when ambient and sheet temperatures reached optimal levels. Limited field welding due to the use of large fabricated panels minimized the duration of welding each day and allowed the project to be completed with the highest quality even in late October.  

Another challenge that was mitigated by using fabricated geomembrane panels and ballast tubes is the strong North Dakota winds during late October. Ballasting was required as soon as the geomembrane panels were deployed to maintain control of the geomembrane in the windy conditions. Fabricated geomembrane panels reduced the time required to secure the geomembrane with ballast, saving valuable time, and keeping all crew members safe from what can be a dangerous situation with an unballasted geomembrane in a windy environment. All ballast tubes were factory fabricated, shipped to the site, and filled with Peastone in place.  

PROJECT SPOTLIGHTS

The FGI is proud to highlight our members' projects utilizing fabricated flexible geosynthetics. Check out some
of the creative projects, understand why certain products were selected, and read the project descriptions
as well as the important lessons learned.

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We are a non-profit organization providing education, research, and support for the flexible and fabricated geomembrane industry.

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TECH CORNER

Ask the expert...
Tim Stark, FGI Technical Director

Tim Stark, Ph.D., P.E., D.GE., F.ASCE

FGI TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

Review our FAQs and you still have a question, please CONTACT US & Tim will get back to you as soon as possible...

Geomembrane Guide

An interactive list of geomembrane products for various applications. Read more

The FGI Equipment Guide

An interactive list of welding equipment and products for
fabricated flexible geomembranes. Read more

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Temporary Landfill Covers - Design & Construction

Role of Geosynthetics in Combating the Effects of Global Warming
Presented by Tom Sangster, B. Sc., C.Eng., Downley Consultants Ltd.
Recorded on February 16, 2023

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News

FGI Elects New Board of Directors

New Board to Serve 2023-2025 Term

Congratulations to the following seven individuals for being elected to the FGI's Board of Directors for the 2023-2025 term:

President – Patrick Elliott (Viaflex/Colorado Lining International)

Treasurer – Ray Peebles (Cooley Group)

Secretary – Brian Fraser (Layfield Geosynthetics)

Board Member - Todd Harman (Hallaton)

Board Member - Doug Hilts (Hilts Consulting Group)

Board Member - Maya Innis (International Cover Systems)

Board Member - Duff Simbeck (Simbeck and Associates)

The FGI is dedicated to advancing the use of fabricated flexible geomembranes through education, research, and technology transfer. The FGI is a consortium of manufacturers, fabricators, installers, designers, regulators, and material suppliers of fabricated flexible geomembranes.

FGI Welcomes Aquamate

The Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI) is pleased to welcome its newest Fabricator/Installer Member, Aquamate.  Aquamate manufactures a proprietary range of premium factory fabricated water tanks. The tanks are flat packed and shipped to sites across Australia and the US and assembled on site by trained crews. Aquamate was established in 1986 to repair leaking concrete tanks that were failing due to a variety of reasons including natural ground movement, poor workmanship or lack of correct materials available during installation. A solution to these problems was found when Aquamate installed its first kit form polymer lined steel tank. The tank was easily transported to site, constructed in a day in most cases and remained impervious to any natural ground movement. The company headquarters is in Adelaide, South Australia and their FGI liaison is Danny Di Iorio, Chief Executive Officer, who can be reached at danny.diiorio@aquamate.com.au or www.aquamate.com.au. Please help us welcome Aquamate to the FGI!!!!

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Resources

Pond Leakage Calculator

Use our Excel calculator to learn what measurements are needed to properly plan for your pond liner project.

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FAQs

Frequently asked questions from members, customers and industry professionals answered.

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Specifications & Guides

FGI, ASTM and IAGI material specifications in one place for your reference and convenience

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Geomembrane Guide

A comprehensive guide to industry and our member material offerings for fabricated geomembranes.

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