METHODOLOGY OF CONCRETE LINED CANALS

PART ONE: GENERAL:

Canal linings shall be constructed where shown on the drawings. The lining
will be unreinforced concrete containing polypropylene fibers, placed over a
geomembrane liner, except that where placed at canal structures or shown on
the drawings, the concrete lining will be reinforced.
A. The Contractor shall provide evidence of previous construction experience
on similar type pneumatically applied mortar projects if so requested by the
Engineer.
B. Unit price bid per square meter in the Bid Schedule, and shall include all
work and materials required in preparing the earth foundation, placing, and
curing the concrete lining, placing cut-off walls at the ends of the lined
section, polypropylene fibers, furnishing and placing reinforcing steel and
escape ladders, panel repair, and shall be in addition to the unit price bid in
the Bid Schedule for canal excavation and compacting embankments.
Excavation for the concrete footings at the transitions from the canal lining
to the concrete structures below the canal prism shall be as shown in the
Drawings and all payment therefor will be included in the unit price bid in
the Bid Schedule for reinforced canal lining.
PART 2: MATERIALS:
2.1 Concrete:
A. Cement: All cement shall be Portland cement, Type II, low alkali,
and shall conform to ASTM Designation C-150. The cement shall
be free of lumps and properly aged.
B. Aggregates: Fine and coarse aggregates shall conform to the
requirements of ASTM C-33. The maximum nominal size of coarse
aggregate shall be inch for concrete lining. Aggregate for air blown
mortar may consist of not more than 30% pea gravel with a maximum
nominal size less than 3/8 inches.
C. Water: Water shall be clean and free from oils, acids, salts, or other
injurious substances.
D. Admixtures: The Contractor may use an air entraining agent
conforming to the requirements of ASTM Designation C-260 in all
concrete. The amount of air entraining agent, if used, shall be such as
will affect the entrainment of four to six percent (4%-6%) of air, by
volume of the concrete at the time of discharge from the mixer. The
 Contractor may use a pozzolan conforming to the requirements of
ASTM Designation C-618 or a liquid admixture with pozzolan
characteristics in accordance with ASTM Designation C-494.
E. Fiber Reinforcement: Polypropylene fiber filaments shall conform
to ASTM C-1116. The fiber length shall be three-quarters inch
(). Fibers shall be added to the concrete mix at the time of
batching at the rate of 2 pounds per cubic yard of concrete.
2.2 Reinforcement:
A. Reinforcement in reinforced concrete canal lining shall be #4
reinforcing bars.
B. Polypropylene fiber filaments shall conform to ASTM C-1116. The
fiber length shall be three-quarters inch (). Fibers shall be added to
the concrete mix at the time of batching at the rate of 1 pounds per
cubic yard of concrete.
2.3 Pneumatically Applied Mortar Lining:
A. Pneumatically applied mortar shall consist of a mixture of Portland
cement, sand, and water placed under pneumatic pressure. One part,
by weight, of cement will be used with 4.5 parts, by weight, of
surface dry sand.
B. The Contractor shall provide such means and equipment as are
required to control accurately the relative amounts of cement, sand,
and water entering the mortar. The equipment and its operation shall
be subject to the approval of the Engineer.
C. The mortar shall be proportioned on the basis of integral sacks of
cement, and the amount of sand shall be determined by direct
weighing. The amount of water used shall be that required to produce
mortar of suitable consistency, quality, and uniformity with the
minimum rebound.
D. Fine aggregates shall conform to the requirements of ASTM C-33.
Aggregate for air blown mortar may consist of not more than 30%
pea gravel with a maximum nominal size less than 3/8 inches.
2.4 Geomembrane:
A. Material shall be surfaced coextruded textured high density
polyethylene geomembrane, indicated in tender technical
specifications, or approved equal and will have a minimum warranty
of 5 years.
B. Minimum Values
 1. Thickness (minimum average) (ASTM D 5994): 38 mil (0.96 mm)
2. Density (ASTM D 1505): 0.94 g/cm3
3. Tensile Properties, each direction (ASTM D 6693, Type IV):
a. Strength at Break: 60 lb/in-width (11 N/mm)
b. Strength at Yield: 84 lb/in-width (15 N/mm)
c. Elongation at Break: 100%
d. Elongation at Yield: 12%
4. Tear Resistance: 28 lb (125 N)
5. Puncture Resistance: 60 lb (267 N)
2.5 Joint Sealant:
A. The adhesive sealant will be a single component high performance
low modulus elastomeric sealant acceptable for a water immersion
application, Sika/Sikaflex-1a or approved equal. The color of the
sealant will be white or as approved by the Engineer.
B. The joint sealant primer will be non-toxic and non-staining,
Sika/Sikaflex Primer 429/202, or as recommended by the joint
sealants manufacturer.
C. The sealant backer rod will be compressible polyethylene foam rod
or other flexible, permanent, durable non-absorptive material
recommended by the joint sealant manufacturer and compatible with
the joint sealant.
2.6 Escape Ladders:
A. Ladders shall be fabricated per the Standard Details, and shall be
galvanized before installation in or onto the concrete lining.
PART 3: EXECUTION:
3.1 Excavation And Preparing Earth Foundation For Canal Lining:
A. Excavation for canal lining shall be as provided for in the
applicable portions of Tender Technical Specifications Earthwork.
B. Where the natural ground surface is below the elevation of the top
of the canal lining shown on the drawings, the foundation for the
concrete lining shall be compacted as provided for in Tender
Technical Specifications - Earthwork. The Contractor shall trim
and finish the earth surfaces to provide a firm foundation for the
concrete lining. If, at any point, the natural foundation material is
disturbed or loosened during the excavation process or otherwise, it
shall be consolidated in a manner satisfactory to the Engineer. If, at
any point, material is excavated beyond the neat lines required to
receive the concrete, the excess excavation shall be filled with
 selected material, moistened, if required, and compacted in a
manner satisfactory to the Engineer.
C. Immediately prior to placing concrete, the foundation shall be
thoroughly moistened.
3.2 Geomembrane Lining:
A. Deployment: The geomembrane panels shall be set out in
accordance with the manufacturers recommendations and
shall comply with the following guidelines:
i. Sandbags or approved equal shall be used for ballast and
to prevent wind uplift.
ii. Personnel walking on the geomembrane shall not engage
in activities or wear shoes that could damage the
geomembrane. Smoking will not be permitted on the
geomembrane.
iii. Heavy vehicular or equipment will not be permitted to
travel directly on the geomembrane unless protective
measures are followed as required by the geomembrane
manufacturer.
iv. Sufficient material (slack) shall be provided to allow for
thermal expansion and contraction of the geomembrane
during installation.
B. Field Seaming:
a. To the maximum extent possible, the seams shall be perpendicular
to the canal unless otherwise approved by the Engineer.
b. Slope panels shall extend a minimum of five (5) feet beyond the
grade break into the flat area.
c. Alignment of the seam overlaps shall be consistent with the
requirements of the welding equipment being used. A minimum
of six (6) inches of overlap is required.
d. Welding equipment and accessories shall meet the
manufacturers recommendations and requirements.
e. Trial welds shall be performed on geomembrane samples
to verify the welding equipment is operating properly.
f. No welding equipment or welder shall be allowed to perform
production welds until the equipment and welders have
successfully completed acceptable trial welds.
 g. Seaming shall not proceed when ambient air temperature or
adverse weather conditions jeopardize the integrity of the liner
installation.
C. Repair:
a. Damaged geomembrane shall be removed and replaced with
acceptable geomembrane material if damage cannot be
satisfactorily repaired as directed by the Engineer.
b. All patches or caps shall extend a minimum of six (6) inches for
extrusion welds and four (4) inches for wedge welds beyond the
edge of the defect and around all edges of the patch material.
c. Damaged geomembrane shall be repaired using one of the
following repair methods as agreed upon by the Contractor and
the Engineer:
i. Abrading and Re-welding used to repair a short section of
seam.
ii. Spot Welding used to repair pinholes or other minor,
localized flaws or where the geomembrane thickness has
been reduced.
iii. Capping used to repair long lengths of failed seams.
iv. Flap Welding used to extrusion weld the flap (excess
outer portion) of a fusion weld in lieu of a full cap.
v. Remove the unacceptable seam and replace with new
material.
3.3 Placing Reinforcement:
A. Reinforcement for canal linings shall be placed at 12 inches on
center each way within the lining slab.
B. Reinforcement placement shall conform to tender technical
specifications .
3.4 Concrete Handling And Placing:
A. In preparation for the placing of concrete, all water, construction
debris and extraneous matter shall be removed from the canal section.
The concrete shall be placed as nearly as possible to its final position
by means that avoid segregation of the materials and displacement of
the reinforcement.
B. Precautions and provisions shall be made to avoid plastic shrinkage
cracking. When site and/or environmental conditions exist that have
a high possibility for plastic shrinkage cracking, the Contractor shall
 follow these additional requirements:
1. Concrete shall not be placed in conditions where wind speed is
or is anticipated to exceed 15 mph or if the combination of
environmental and site conditions promote plastic shrinkage
cracking.
2. A written proposal shall be submitted to the Engineer for
approval. The proposal will include the method of concrete
placement, alternative mix designs, list of materials, additional
finishers and laborers and equipment necessary to minimize the
cracking.
3. curing compound shall be applied to the surface immediately
following the finishing operation and the entire surface covered
with polyethylene sheeting.
3.5 Placing Slip-Formed Canal Lining:
A. The lining shall be placed against undisturbed earth or compacted
embankment. Type of construction will be provided that neat,
accurate, and durable concrete lining, as provided for in these
methodology, is the finished product.
3.6 Placing Pneumatically-Applied Mortar Lining:
A. All canal gates, pumps and appurtenances shall be properly covered
and protected with viscuine prior to the placement of the concrete
lining.
B. All absorptive surfaces against which pneumatically applied mortar is
to be placed shall be moistened thoroughly. Free water will not be
permitted on the surface during the application. Ground wires shall be
installed in the canal prism to outline the finished surface of the lining
as shown on the plans or as directed by the Engineer.
C. The mortar shall be applied from a nozzle held approximately four
feet (4') from the surface, and in a stream as nearly perpendicular to
the surface being covered as practicable.
D. The pressure in the placing machine shall be maintained at not less
than forty-five pounds per square inch (45 psi) for hose lengths up to
one hundred feet (100') and shall be increased five pounds per square
inch (5 psi) for each additional fifty feet (50') of hose. Water pressure
shall be maintained at least fifteen pounds per square inch (15 psi)
greater than the pressure in the placing machine.
E. Sand pockets shall be removed and replaced with pneumatically
 applied mortar as herein specified. Rebound shall not be incorporated
in the work in any manner.
D. Construction joints shall be sloped to a thin edge and the edge shall be
thoroughly cleaned and wetted before the adjacent section of mortar
is placed.
3.7 Finishing Canal Lining:
A. The finished surface of canal lining shall be equivalent in evenness,
smoothness, and freedom from rock pockets and surface voids to
that obtainable by the effective use of a long-handled steel trowel.
Shallow surface pitting and trowel marks are not objectionable.
B. Deviations from true line and grade shall not exceed one-tenth foot
(0.1'). There shall be no abrupt changes in section, line or grade.
C. Transverse grooves, three-quarter inch (3/4") deep and approximate
one-half inch (") wide, shall be made in the concrete lining. The
first groove shall be made ten feet (10') from the end of the lined
section and at ten-foot intervals throughout the full length of the lined
section.
3.8 Curing Canal Lining:
A. Concrete lining shall be cured by a white pigmented membrane
curing compound.
Membrane curing shall be by application of a sealing compound
conforming to ASTM C -309. Sealing compound shall be applied to
the concrete surfaces by spraying in one coat to provide a
continuous, uniform membrane over all areas.
B. The maximum temperature of concrete as placed shall be less than
90F. When the temperature of concrete as placed may be 90F or
higher, as may be reasonably predicted from current temperatures of
materials and the likelihood of rises in weather temperatures, the
Contractor shall employ effective means, such as precooling
aggregates and mixing water, use of ice as part of the mixing water,
shading aggregates, or placing at night, as necessary, to maintain the
temperature of concrete, as placed, below 90F.
3.9 Concrete Panel Inspection And Repair:
A. After three days of curing, the concrete panels will be inspected. All
visible cracks will be marked with a water-based spray paint and be
given a rating of 0, 1, 2 or 3 based on its severity.
a. Rating 0 (0 to less than 1/8 in width): Crack will be
 monitored for thirty (30) days after the placement of the
concrete. Crack will not be repaired unless it expands to a
rating of 1.
b. Rating 1 (1/8 to less than 5/16 in width): Crack will be primed
and sealed with an adhesive joint sealant. Crack will be properly
prepared and primed for water immersion as directed by the joint
sealants manufacturer.
c. Rating 2 (5/16 to less than 1/2 in width): Crack will be
repaired with properly sized and installed sealant backer rod,
primer and adhesive joint sealant. Crack will be properly
prepared and primed for water immersion as directed by the joint
sealants manufacturer.
d. Rating 3 (1/2 and greater in width): Concrete panel will be
removed and replaced or repaired as directed by the Engineer.
B. The crack shall be clean, dry and free of oil and grease. Curing
compound residue and other foreign matter must be thoroughly
removed prior to the application of the joint sealant primer.
C. The air temperature at the time of application will be between 40 and
100F or as recommended by the sealant and primer manufacturer.
D. All cracks shall be repaired and allowed to cure for one week prior to
total water immersion.
3.10 Escape Ladders:
A. Ladders shall be installed in all lined canals and reservoirs at the
locations and spacings shown in the Drawings. Ladders shall be
embedded in the freshly placed lining before it sets.