Document Type : Research Paper

Abstract

Iran has limited water resources that require preservation and reducing water loss from reservoirs, especially in arid and semi arid regions. There are a number of methods available for to control water loss from reservoirs and canals. Concrete linings in water reservoirs and ponds are durable, but their efficiency is limited. Geomembrane sheets are another method of controlling leakage from water reservoirs. In this research, high density polyethylene was used to lining a concrete water reservoir to test its suitability for water proofing and chemical resistance. The benefits and drawbacks of this new lining material were investigated in the design, execution and operation stages. Subsequently, the effectiveness of this liner to control water loss was tested under different. The results showed that a geomembrane liner over a concrete lining requires special consideration during design, installation and maintenance and accessories such as pipes and sumps to reduce excessive stress on the liner. The analysis of water leakage from the liner showed that proper design and installation of the liner and accessories reduce water loss about 38% and limit leakage to 16.9 mm/day/m2.

Keywords

Aldea, C. W., Shah, S. P. and Karr, A. F. 1999. Permeability of cracked concrete. J. Materials Struct. 32(219): 370–376.
Anon. 2003. Irrigation water conveyance ditch and canal lining, flexible membrane. conservation practice standard. Natural Resources Conservation Service. USDA.
Anon. 2006. Standard guide for selection of test methods to determine rate of fluid permeation through geomembranes for specific applications. ASTM D-5886.
Anon. 2011. GRI Test Methods GM13. Standard Specification for test properties and testing frequency for High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) smooth and textured geomembranes. Geosynthetic Institute. USA.
Branscheid, V. 1997. Irrigation investment briefs. FAO Investment Centre. Occasional Paper Series. No. 4.
Ghorbani, F., Roshanfekr, A., Fathi Moghaddam, M. and Tavakkoli Zadeh, A. A. 2006. Assessment of concrete and geosynthetic (geomembrane) linings in canals. Proceeding of the 1st National Conference on Irrigation and Drainage Networks Managements. Ahvaz. Iran. (in Farsi)
Ivy, D. and Narejo, D. 2003. Canal lining with HDPE. GFR. 21(5): 1-4.
Koerner, R. M. 1998. Designing with Geosynthetics. Prentice Hall. New Jersey. USA.
Movahedan, M., Maman Poush, A. and Abbasi, N. 2010. Assessment of water leakage in geosynthetic lined irrigation canals and water reservoirs (A case study). Proceeding of the 2nd Iranian Seminar on Geotechnical Issues of Irrigation and Drainage Networks. May 13. Karaj. Iran. (in Farsi)
Rahimi, H., Ghobadi Nia, M. and Ahmadi, H. 2004. Application of geosynthetics as drain under canals lining. Drainage systems under canals lining Workshop. Dec. 17. Tehran. Iran. (in Farsi)
Rahimi, H., Sohrabi, T. and Ghobadi Nia, M. 2007. Application of geosynthetics in irrigation and drainage projects. IRNCID. (Translated in Farsi).
Sattari, D. and Pourmehr, B. 2007. Using simple and fenced geomembrane instead of textured geomembrane (case study: Khoda Afarin irrigation network project). Proceeding of the 2nd Iranian Conference on Construction Experience of Hydraulic Structures and Irrigation and Drainage Networks. Oct. 23-25. Karaj. Iran. (in Farsi)
Scheirs, J. 2009. A Guide to Polymeric Geomembranes: A Practical Approach. John Wiley and Sons Pub. UK.
Schultz, B. and De Wrachien, D. 2002. Irrigation and drainage systems: Research and development in the 21st century. J. Irrig. Drain. 51(4): 311–327.
Snell, M. 2001. Lining old irrigation canals: thoughts and trials. J. Irrig. Drain.; 50(2):139-157.
Swihart, J. and Haynes, J. 2002. Canal-lining demonstration project year 10 final report. U. S. Department of The Interior Bureau of Reclamation (USBR).
Weber, C. T. 2008. Leakage through defects in geomembrane liners under high hydraulic heads. Ph. D Dissertation. The University of Texas.
Whitting, D. and Walitt, A. 1988. Permeability of concrete. Pub. SP-108: 1-1-18. American Concrete Institute. Detroit.