Study of factors that influence geomembrane air expansion deformation under ring-restrained conditions

In studies on the geomembrane air expansion in plain reservoirs, the forced deformation of a geomembrane is generally simplified as geomembrane air expansion deformation under ring-restrained conditions. In this study, a test apparatus was developed to measure geomembrane air expansion deformation, and a number of factors that can affect geomembrane air expansion deformation were investigated, including the test apparatus diameter, loading rate, and geomembrane defects. The results of this study show that under ring-restrained conditions, as the test apparatus diameter increases, the burst pressure decreases, and the burst crown height increases. Moreover, the burst pressure and the burst crown height gradually increase as the loading rate increases. Geomembrane defects, such as holes, folds, and scratches, decrease both the burst pressure and the burst crown height.