4.1 This guide attempts to detail specific areas of concern regarding the attachment of geomembranes to structures. Components of the geomembrane attachment are addressed as to the type and use of each component.

4.2 Although this guide does not address all aspects of geomembrane attachments, the user of this guide may note important objectives and design issues of each component of the geomembrane. All these objectives and design issues may or may not be required to obtain an appropriate geomembrane attachment. By describing these areas of concern, it is hoped that the user of this guide will be able to design geomembrane attachments, develop specifications or construct geomembrane attachments, or both, which fulfill the requirements of its design intent.

1.1 This guide covers procedures that can be employed to mechanically attach fabricated geomembranes to structures, pipes, etc.

1.2 This guide does not address all problems or situations a geomembrane installer or design engineer may face in the attachment of geomembranes to structures, pipes, etc. The sole purpose of this standard guide is to point out typical problems with geomembrane attachments and clearly state objectives of each component of the geomembrane attachment(s).

1.3 This guide has been generated for geomembrane application(s); however, a geomembrane installer or design engineer, or both, may find portions of this guide applicable to other geosynthetics.

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 are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be used independently of the other, and values from the two systems shall not be combined.

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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.