UPLIFT OF GEOMEMBRANES BY WIND - EXTENSION OF EQUATIONS

This technical note presents an extension of earlier analytical method s published in 1995 by Giroud et al. for evaluating the uplift of geom embranes by wind. The extension incorporates: (i) the influence on win d uplift of the slope inclination of an exposed geomembrane; and (ii) a more accurate expression of the tension-strain relationship in a win d uplifted geomembrane. Use of the revised methods is particularly rel evant for projects in which the exposed geomembrane mass per unit area is high, the slope inclination of the exposed geomembrane is steep, a nd the exposed geomembrane is subjected to strains due to mechanisms o ther than the wind (e.g. gravity, temperature) prior to wind uplift. A lso, the revised equations are particularly appropriate for dimensioni ng a protective layer placed on top of the geomembrane to prevent wind uplift. The information provided in this technical note may be of par ticular significance for projects in which an exposed geomembrane is c ontemplated as the final cover for waste containment systems with stee p slope configurations.