Waterproofing Systems for Dams

The first geomembranes were installed on dams in 1959 in Italy and British Columbia: both systems were covered. In the 1970’s geomembranes began to be installed on dams exposed. In the next 20 years exposed geomembrane systems would be installed on more than 2 dozen dams primarily in Europe. The first exposed geomembrane system on a dam in the United States was installed in 1997. The United States now has the largest installed base of exposed geomembrane systems on dams in the world and the overall world inventory has quadrupled in the last 20 years to more than 100 dams worldwide.

This webinar gives an overview of the 2010 ICOLD Bulletin 135 “ Geomembrane Sealing Systems for Dams” focusing on the evolving technology of exposed geomembrane sealing systems. The webinar begins with a summary of the materials, testing, and aging of geomembranes; different loads and physical considerations; examples of installations on fill, gravity, masonry, and RCC dams along with special applications on dam cracks/joints and underwater installations. The webinar will conclude with QC considerations for the geomembrane sealing systems along with guidance on Technical and Contractual Specifications. The agenda will closely follow the ICOLD Bulletin 135 content.

Speaker and Presenter Information

John Wilkes, PE, is President of Carpi USA and has installed more than 25 dam geomembrane systems worldwide. He holds a BS degree from University of Virginia, MS degree from Duke University, and MS degree Johns Hopkins University. He managed the first underwater geomembrane system on a complete dam at Lost Creek dam in 1997; the world’s largest geomembrane installation geomembrane at Olivenhain dam in 2003; the Gem dam geomembrane system in 2007 which won the 2008 ASDSO Rehabilitation Project of the Year. He has also managed geomembrane installations on hydraulic structures in UK, Iceland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Martha Monserrate, PE, is a civil engineer with 30 years’ experience in the civil and environmental fields. She holds BS and MS degrees in civil engineering from Duke University. Her master’s thesis focused on the structural integrity of clay liners exposed to liquid wastes. She worked for 15 years for CH2M Hill managing industrial and Superfund site remediations before starting her own firm in 1993. In 2013, Ms. Monserrate joined Carpi and has since helped manage the design and installation of waterproofing systems for dams in Massachusetts, California, and New Mexico.

Relevant Government Agencies

Army, Dept of Energy, Dept of Homeland Security, Dept of the Interior, Other Federal Agencies, State Government, County Government, City Government, Municipal Government, FEMA, Federal Government, State & Local Government