Geosynthetics 2009 February 25-27 2009, Salt Lake City, Utah

Maximizing Sensitivities for Geoelectric Surveys on an Existing Final Landfill Cover

Tim Bauters and Kenneth G. Haskell, Golder Associates Incorporated, California, USA

ABSTRACT A geoelectric survey was performed in accordance with ASTM D7007 on a constructed final landfill cover to evaluate the integrity of an in-place geomembrane that was covered with clayey vegetative soil containing oversized rocks, sticks, and metal debris. The purpose of the survey was to determine the extent of any construction damage to the geomembrane so that appropriate corrective actions could be developed. The detail is truly in the details to execute a geoelectric surveys to maximize the sensitivity of the geoelectric survey performed and hence pinpoint smaller potential physical defects in the geomembrane: from optimizing soil moisture contents of the vegetative cover materials, to the procedural details of the artificial leak tests, to the potential reduced resolutions due to thicker soil sections and geocomposite drainage layers.

1.

INTRODUCTION

A geoelectric survey was performed to evaluate the integrity of a 40-mil linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) geomembrane that was covered with a 600 mm (2 ft) of clayey vegetative soil containing over-sized rocks, sticks, and metal debris as part of a final landfill cover. The primary purpose of this geoelectric survey was to evaluate the types and frequencies of any defects still present in the geomembrane, and to ascertain the course of corrective actions. A previous geoelectric survey was performed to identify the integrity of the liner two years prior. Geomembrane defects were detected by the original geoelectric survey and were immediately repaired. This original survey was reportedly completed in accordance with ASTM D7007. The regulatory agencies requested a second independent survey to confirm the results of the original survey. If the second geoelectric survey showed that the geomembrane contained no additional defects or only few defects, then repair of those defects followed by additional surveys in the future might be satisfactory to gain regulatory approval of that final cover. If a large number of defects were found, then complete reconstruction of the entire final cover may be warranted. Therefore, the accuracy of the survey in terms of defect size and completeness was critical for this project. Although ASTM 7007 provides procedures for completing a geoelectric survey, a number of factors are discussed that affect the resolution of the survey. The geometry of the 52,500 m (13-acre) landfill is an east-west trending prismoidal shaped waste pile with four side-slopes ranging from 4H to 1V to 3H to 1V (horizontal to vertical). The vertical height of the side slopes ranges from 4 m (13 ft) on the eastern side to up to 20 m (65 ft) on the western side of the landfill. While the vegetative cover soil thickness of the landfill was designed to be 600mm (2 ft) thickness, exploratory potholing revealed that the cover thickness above the 40-mil LLDPE geomembrane ranged from 450 mm (1.5 ft) to up to 2 900 mm (3 ft). The 22,300 m (5.5-acre) flatter section of the landfill (top deck) is graded at 3.5% towards the vegetated drainage swale, with a perimeter berm containing the top deck surface water runoff, and discharging that surface water at a single discharge point. The perimeter berm has a typical width of 3m (10 ft) and a height of 1.2 to 1.8 m (4 to 6 ft) at the eastern end of the site, and is up to 7.6 to 9 m (25 to 30 ft) in width and 1.8 to 3.3 m (6 to 10 ft) in height at the western end of the site.
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2.

GEOELECTRIC THEORY AND SURVEY PROCEDURES

The principle of the geoelectric leak location method is to place a voltage across the earthen material above and below the geomembrane. Geomembranes consist mainly of polymeric materials (HDPE, LLDPE, PVC, etc.) which are all electrically insulative materials. If a defect is present in the geomembrane, then current passes through the defect and causes an anomaly in the voltage potential field at that location (see figure 1.) The geoelectric survey consists of measuring this voltage potential along parallel survey lines, covering the entire site of interest. The geoelectric survey sensitivity is affected by the conductivity of the materials within, above, and below the potential defect, and the electrical homogeneity of the materials above the defect, output levels of the electrical power supply, design of the measurement probes and detector electronics, general survey procedures, data interpretation, and skill.

ASTM D7007 provides a detailed practice for completing geoelectric surveys with water or earth materials covering the geomembranes. Prior to performing the actual survey, a leak detection sensitivity test (artificial leak test or actual leak test) needs to be completed to determine the maximum distance between adjacent survey lines. The artificial leak test mimics a current migrating through the geomembrane at that location, with the soil material covering the geomembrane in lieu of actually making a physical hole in the liner. The artificial leak sensitivity test determines the survey line spacing required to detect a certain minimum hole size. Per ASTM D7007, the target diameter of the artificial leak is 6 mm ( inch) with up to 600 mm (2 ft) of earth materials covering the geomembrane. Figure 1: Geoelectric Theory

The following sections discuss the geoelectric survey procedures: 2.1 Electrical Isolation

Electrical isolation must be achieved around the survey area and other conductive paths (metal pipe penetrations, sump grounds, etc.) to prevent electrical current from traveling from beneath the cover to the ground surface at the edges, and other conductive paths, which will typically cause a large defect signal and potentially mask or interfere with the detection of smaller defects. Electrical isolation is typically established by performing the geoelectric survey before the edges of the geomembrane are covered (typically left uncovered during the construction process), or can be achieved by removing the earthen materials if already in-place in a narrow path (trench) along the perimeter of the surveyed area and along any other conductive paths. 2.2 Sensitivity Tests

The sensitivity test establishes the defect size in the geomembrane that can be found, and determines the survey line spacing and placement of the current source electrode for the full-blown geoelectric survey. Procedures for this are described in detail in Annex A3 or A4 in ASTM D7007, for an artificial or actual leak, respectively. If the minimum leak size per the ASTM D7007 cannot be achieved, the geoelectric survey will be completed with the largest detectable size and noted in the report. 2.3 Conduct Geoelectric Survey

The application of the electrical charge/current is typically achieved by a generator. Current source electrode access points are created at the distance determined by the location of the artificial leak tests to the current source electrode. This is also the maximum detection distance that can be used during this section of the survey, with resolution or sensitivity readings representative of this artificial leak test. Therefore, additional electrode locations may be needed depending on the resolution achieved during the artificial leak test. The current electrodes are often installed by excavating down to the geomembrane, and if necessary, cutting an access point (that needs to be repaired later) to insert the current electrode under the geomembrane. If geomembrane defects are encountered during the survey, these can serve as electrode access points. As described in ASTM D7007, a partial, periodic, leak- detection sensitivity test is conducted at the beginning and end of each day, and for each set of equipment used to perform the survey. This periodic sensitivity test is

performed to assure that the surveyed area was completed with equipment and procedures that achieved the required sensitivity. 2.4 Electrical Anomalies

Areas with electrical anomalies (i.e. potential geomembrane defects) will be flagged and the anomaly excavated around the anomaly areas creating an exposed geomembrane, typically the last 100 mm to 150 mm (4 to 6 inches) of soil above the geomembrane will be removed with hand shovels. Once the defect is located, the defect will need to be electrically isolated (by removing conductive earthen materials in proximity of the defect or by being repaired). The geoelectric survey shall than be repeated on the two closest survey lines for an distance of 5 m (15 ft) before and beyond the defect. This to ascertain that that the excavated defect was not masking any other potential defects in close proximity to the initial, now isolated, detected defect. This process will be continued until no further anomalies are detected. 2.5 Defect Documentation

For any physical confirmed defect, the defect will be recorded, which at a minimum typically includes a photograph, a description of the type and size of defect, and the location of the defect.

3.

MAXIMIZING LEAK DETECTION SENSITIVITIES

ASTM D7007 paragraph 4.4.5 states that The leak detection sensitivity depends on the conductivity of the materials with, above, and below the leak, the electrical homogeneity of the material above the leak, the design of the measurement electrodes, the output level of the excitation power supply, the sensitivity of the detector electronics, the survey procedures, and data interpretation methods and skill. Some of these sensitivity factors are depended upon the equipment quality and the experience and skill of the operators. Those should be optimized by the survey operator such as the design of the measurement probes, sensitivity of the detector electronics, output levels of the excitation power supply, data interpretation methods, and operators skill set. The other sensitivity factors depend on the field conditions; a few of those are described in greater detail in the following sections: 3.1 Soil Moisture Conditions of the Final Cover

ASTM D7007 paragraph 6.1.5 further states: For surveys with earth materials on the geomembrane the earth material shall have adequate moisture to provide a continuous path for electrical current to flow through the leak. Earth materials usually have sufficient moisture at depth, but sometimes the surface shall be wet with water. The earth materials do not have to be saturated with water. The amount of moisture required depends on the earth material, the equipment, and procedures. Successful leak location surveys have been conducted on earth materials containing as little as 0.5 percent moisture by weight. Experience has shown that applying water to a soil surface immediate prior to the survey can reduce electrical noise and help increase the sensitivity of the survey. However, the moisture content of the soils between the ground surface and the geomembrane were found to also affect the sensitivity of the survey. Prior to water application, the initial soil moisture content was determined for this case study, and generally ranged from 8 to 11 percent with localized areas as low a 5 percent and as high as 13 percent. At the start to the geoelectric survey the first artificial leak was placed and it was determined that these existing soil moisture contents were inadequate to detect the target 6 mm diameter defect resolution. Therefore, water was applied to the surface of the landfill to improve electrical potential readings. Moisture contents in the upper 150 mm (6 inches) of the soil were increased to between 9 percent and 19 percent after water was applied. A total of 97 water truck loads of 15,000 liter (4,000 gallons) each where applied on the cover soil to enhance the conductivity and electrical homogeneity above the geomembrane. Although the water trucks were effective in applying large volumes of water quickly to the ground surface, water trucks do exert significant tire pressures that can potentially induce additional damage, particularly for a thin soil cover containing adverse materials. With advance planning, a temporary irrigation system might achieve increased soil moisture contents while providing less damage potential. Soil moisture contents were not documented for the original geoelectric survey conducted two years prior to the second geoelectric survey. In addition, eye-witness accounts indicated that no water was applied prior to or during the ground surface during the original geoelectric survey.

3.2

Artificial Leak Tests Procedures

The calibration resolution target for the geoelectric survey at the landfill was set at 6 mm (1/4 inch) diameter artificial leak with typically a 600 mm (2 ft) (cover in accordance with ASTM D7007. Artificial leak tests were performed at five locations using simulated leak diameters of between 3 mm (1/8-inch) to 9 mm (3/8-inch) to assure that leak location equipment and survey procedures were capable of detecting a leak with a diameter of at least 6 mm (0.25 inch-diameter) on the majority of the surveyed areas on the landfill cap. For each artificial test location, the artificial leak was ultimately detected at horizontal distances of more than 2.3 m (7.5 ft), which indicated that survey lines spaced at 4.5 m (15 ft) were adequate to detect the 6 mm (1/4-inch diameter) target. However, the survey crew elected to use a tighter 1.5 m (5 ft) survey line spacing to maximize the sensitivity of the survey. While the majority of the artificial leaks surveyed were non-eventful once water was added to the cover soil, one of the artificial leaks placed on the side slope of the landfill was initially detected despite adding water to the ground surface. Troubleshooting commenced and the procedures were all double checked to assure everything was implemented in accordance with the guidelines set forth in ASTM D7007. Ultimately the artificial leak on the side slope was detected, and the following three sources were pinpointed as the potential culprit for initial nondetection: (1) evaporation of the moisture in the soils adjacent to the artificial leak, (2) small rocks were backfilled above the artificial leak creating an air void, or (3) electrical isolation was breached in the perimeter trench by standing water and/or wet soils. Sufficient quantities of water were added to the side-slope to cause some run-off and accumulation of water in the perimeter trench. Ultimately, the artificial leak was excavated and reburied with soil moisture conditioned by adding up 250 ml of water was added to the soil above the artificial leak per ASTM 7007. In addition, care was taken to make sure the soil backfill above the artificial leak was free of rocks and wet soils and standing water were removed from the bottom of the isolation trench. For the original geoelectric survey, available documentation did not indicate how the artificial leak test was performed to determine survey line spacing. The documentation implied that a single artificial leak location was completed, which probably would be inadequate for a survey covering an area with a variety of cover depths and spanning multiple days. 3.3 Limitations of the Survey Performed

In addition to soil moisture contents, thickness of cover materials will affect the sensitivity of the detectable leaks. While the majority of the landfill cover surveyed is within the detection limits as planned, there were some areas on the landfill where cover thickness affected the sensitivity of the test performed. The top deck perimeter berm has cover soil thickness that could be upwards of 1.8 to 3.3 m (6 to 10 ft). Due to the soil thickness and width of the berm, the sensitivity of the survey in the middle portion of the berm (beyond 7.5 feet on either side) is uncertain and it is not known whether a 6 mm artificial leak would be detected by the survey. However, this uncertainty affects a relatively small portion of the total cover area, which is estimated to be about 1 % of the cover area. In addition, the side slopes of the final cover had a geocomposite drainage layer installed on top of the geomembrane to prevent positive pore pressures on the side slope and prevent veneer instability. The air void in the drainage geocomposite tends to inhibit electrical conductivity, thus making it more difficult to detect discontinuities in the underlying geomembrane. Nevertheless, when the geocomposite/geomembrane combination of geosynthetics is breached at the same location, those particular defects are detectable in a geoelectric survey. 3.4 General Survey Results

The original geoelectric survey was successful in identifying 7 defects ranging from holes 2 mm in diameter to tears several feet in length on the top deck. The second geoelectric leak survey completed for this case study detected 10 defects in an area that had been previously surveyed on the top deck. The defects ranged from 3 mm (-inch) in diameter up to 12-inches in length. Several of these defects were clearly caused during the initial installation, while at least one defect appeared to be related to the installation of a landfill gas header pipe after the original geoelectric survey was completed. Nonetheless, the results of the second survey raised concerns over the completeness and accuracy of the two surveys that were reportedly completed in accordance with ASTM D7007. The differences in the survey results could be due to (1) Differences in the artificial leak test procedures leading to different sensitivities, (2) differing soil moisture contents leading to different sensitivities, (3) differing skill levels of the geoelectric survey teams, and/or (4) construction related damage occurring between the two surveys.

Both surveys detected defects in the geomembrane along or near the side-slopes where the geomembrane was covered by a geocomposite drainage layer. However, in both cases, the suspected damage causing the defects was grading equipment operating too close to the geosynthetics and creating large tears through both the geomembrane and geocomposite drainage layer. While the geocomposite drainage layer can create difficulties in detecting a potential smaller defect in the geomembrane, it also effectively provides puncture protection for the geomembrane.

4.

CONCLUSION

The detail is truly in the details in performing a high resolution geoelectric leak surveys in accordance with ASTM D7007 and to ultimately pinpoint defects in a geomembrane covered with about 600mm of earthen materials. Although the two geoelectric surveys performed were reportedly completed in accordance with ASTM D7007, there were differences in the test procedures that ultimately led to the second survey detecting several significant geomembrane defects that were apparently missed by the original survey. The leak detection sensitivity of the geoelectric survey was continually checked over the duration of the geoelectric survey by performing artificial leak test. This procedure is described in detail in Annex 3 of the ASTM D7007 standard. However, understanding the strengths and limitations of the artificial leak process can improve sensitivities for the geoelectric survey and interpretation of the results. While ASTM D7007 notes that geoelectric surveys can be performed with minimal soil moisture contents successfully, in this case study, increasing soil water contents in a clayey vegetative soil cover led to improved sensitivities. Thus documenting soil moisture contents during the geoelectric survey could be beneficial in interpreting the difference between two separate surveys of the same area. Furthermore, the results of this case study suggested that soil moisture played a key in the accuracy of the survey and may explain in part, the differences between the two surveys. Soil moisture contents should be considered in any geoelectric survey. Potential resolution limitations of the geoelectric survey should be identified early on; to assure that all involved parties have the same expectations relating to those sections of the geoelectric survey. Thicker sections of vegetative soil cover and geocomposite drainage layers are likely to impact the sensitivity of the survey performed.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Authors would like to thank Glenn Darilek, P.E., and Daren Laine for providing thoughtful insights to get this survey accomplished in accordance with the ASTM D7007 standard.

REFERENCES ASTM D7007. Electrical Methods for Locating Leaks in Geomembranes Covered with Water or Earth Materials, American Society for Testing and Materials, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, USA.