GEOSYNTHETIC INDUSTRIAL WORKS

DOCUMENT NO: WI-HQ1-034 -2

WORK INSTRUCTIONS PAGE: 1 OF 2
TITLE: ASTM D5199 – 1998, DATE: 01/05
NOMINAL THICKNESS (SMOOTH SHEET)

DEPARTMENT: Quality Control

AUTHOR: MM

1. PURPOSE

1.1. To document the process for measuring thickness on smooth geomembrane sheet.

2. SCOPE

2.1. This document applies to all Quality Control personnel.

3. RELATED DOCUMENTS

3.1. ASTM D5199 - Test Method for Measuring Nominal Thickness of Geotextiles and
Geomembranes.

3.2. Form Q-22, Smooth Sheet Thickness

3.3. W1-Q1-001, Production Cutting Work Instructions

3.4. Q-47, Production Correspondence Form

4. EQUIPMENT

4.1. SPC Digital Thickness gage with a 0.250 diameter presser foot. The digital gage is accurate to
0.0001 inches. The gage is constructed to apply a force of 1.8 N (0.40 lbs.).

4.2. Wedgelink Software Program

5. PROCEDURES

5.1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

5.1.1. The test is performed in a standard laboratory atmosphere of 23°±3°C. As a Production

facility, testing is an integral part of the process. For this reason, the conditioning period is
abbreviated.

5.1.2. The Wedgelink Software Program is a basic SPC program that allows data to be entered
in the computer from a thickness gage.

5.1.3. A smooth thickness measurement is taken in the lab once per 8 hour shift.

5.1.4. The production operator cuts an 18 inch by the roll width sample from each roll produced.
Ten thickness specimens are cut (evenly spaced) across the textured sheet to obtain
material representative of the smooth sheet. The thickness specimens are numbered as
they are cut (per W1-Q1-001), and brought to the lab for testing.

5.1.5. Although it is recommended in ASTM D5199 Test Method to use three inch circular test
specimens, due to time constraints this specimen type is not feasible. In this respect, ten
2” X 2” square specimens are used. The die used for this test is also used to cut samples

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GEOSYNTHETIC INDUSTRIAL WORKS
DOCUMENT NO: WI-HQ1-034 -2
WORK INSTRUCTIONS PAGE: 2 OF 2
TITLE: ASTM D5199 – 1998, DATE: 01/05
NOMINAL THICKNESS (SMOOTH SHEET)

for another test, thus the die is readily available to cut thickness specimens at the same
time as samples are cut for another test.

5.1.6. One measurement is taken per thickness sample.

5.2. SPECIFIC PROCEDURES

5.2.1. Go to the “Smth” page in the “Testing Sheets” file on the technician’s computer.

5.2.2. In the computer, fill out the following information. This information is available from the
roll label on the archive sample.

5.2.2.1. Roll Number

5.2.2.2. Material Type.

5.2.2.3. Tested by and Date tested.

5.2.3. Carefully lift the shaft of the thickness gage. Position a thickness square between the
points and gently release the shaft onto the material. Press down on the shaft slightly to
ensure an accurate reading.

5.2.4. Allow the presser foot to rest on the sample for 5 seconds. Record the reading by
pressing the foot pedal under the table labeled “Smooth”. Take one reading from each
thickness sample.

5.2.5. Repeat this procedure for each of the remaining nine thickness samples.

5.2.6. Once the test is complete, print the test data sheet. Compare the results to Serrot’s spec
and to the Job spec and to production’s results.

5.2.7. In the event that the thickness does not meet one of these specifications, a retest is
required. Here are examples of when a retest should be performed.

5.2.7.1. The lowest individual thickness is below Serrot spec or the Job spec.

5.2.7.2. A second technician should perform the retest.

5.2.7.3. Notify Production with a Production Correspondence form.

5.2.8. Print the results on Form Q-22.

5.2.9. Make a copy of the test data sheet, time-stamp and post the copy in production.

5.2.10. File the original data sheet in the roll data folder.

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