Grant: CCI Applied Research and Development Grants

Rapid Crack Propagation (RCP) of geomembranes (GMBs) is a field failure mechanism observed in lining containment application (mining facilities) especially in Arctic and cold regions. RCP appearing in GMBs sheets but also on the edge of seams (welds connecting GMB sheets to form a liner) can lead to the failure of the facility and the contamination of soils and ground water. This sudden occurrence is often linked to slow crack propagation (that develops under relatively high temperatures). GMB failures in cold weather occur for different reasons than those for slow crack propagation. RCP failures remain a critical issue, and new technologies and designs are necessary to prevent them and provide recommendations on how to prevent their occurrences. The primary objectives of the research are to gain novel insights into RCP of GMBs and investigate failure mechanisms in mining applications in Arctic areas and cold regions. A laboratory experimental program will be carried out to assign potential risks and resistance thresholds based on site conditions (temperature, thermal gradient, seamstress concentrations (temperature, thermal gradient, seamstress concentrations). Finally, a lab-based replication of the failure mechanism will enable us to further modify the formulation of GMB products that will be more resistant to RCP, as well as make recommendations on how to weld together GMB sheets, in order to reduce the risk of RCP failure in GMB installations in cold regions with well-defined technical specifications and requirements Two PhD students, a Bachelor of Applied science in Engineering from Queen`s University in Ontario, and College students from Cégep de Saint-Hyacinthe will be trained in this project and contribute, with the help of the research team, to achieve the specific objectives of the project : (1) provide a fundamental understanding of failure mechanisms of exhumed GMBs exhibited RCP 1; (2) develop test procedure to access the resistance of GMBs sheets and seams to RCP; and (3) develop new recommendations and design to increase the resistance to RCP failures.