This practice provides a procedure by which samples of GCL should be obtained for laboratory testing. The practice applies to materials obtained prior to installation (either at a job site or at a production facility) or exhumed material after installation.

Only GCL samples obtained in accordance with 5.1 of this practice will be considered representative of the actual manufactured GCL for quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) purposes..

The quantity of GCL received by the laboratory should be sufficient for the preparation of several representative test specimens for the standardized physical, hydraulic, and mechanical tests to be performed on the GCLs.

The procedures in this practice should be used by plant and field personnel for obtaining GCL samples for laboratory testing.

1.1 This practice covers procedures for sampling geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) for the purpose of laboratory testing. These procedures are designed to ensure that representative samples are obtained and properly packaged for submittal to a testing laboratory.

1.2 The procedures in this practice may be applied to either samples of unhydrated GCLs obtained at the project site prior to installation (or at the production facility, prior to shipment to the project site) or samples exhumed from a project site after installation.

1.3 It is assumed that the number of samples to be obtained has already been determined in the project specification, standard test method, or by prior agreement between the purchaser and seller. This practice covers only the methods for obtaining a pre-arranged number of samples and does not describe methods for obtaining individual specimens from the sample.

1.4 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each system shall be used independently of the other. Combining values from the two systems may result in non-conformance with the standard.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.