GSI NEWS Procedure B embedment liner stationary concrete in motion Most commonly, cylindrical test specimens are cast on top of the embedment liner for procedure B. The cylindrical mold needs to be lubricated with grease acting as a mold release. The mold is then glued to the embedment liner so that mix water from the concrete cannot leak out of the sealed mold. The concrete is placed in layers into FIGURE 6 Photographs of eyelet installation in fresh concrete the molds and consolidated using vibration and rodding. While the concrete is still wet, steel anchor eyelets are inserted into the top of the fresh concrete cylinder (Figure 6). Note that the eyelet assembly will need to be stronger than the connection strength of the embedment liners to the concrete or mortar. The specimens are then finished FIGURE 7 Times lapse photographs showing the start, middle and end of the test and transported to a temperature- and humidity-controlled chamber for curing. After the specimens have cured, they are affixed to the testing fixture within a constant rate of extension (CRE) machine. Unless otherwise specified, apply the load smoothly at a rate of 0.2 inches/minute (5 mm/minute) for the duration of the test. A sequence of photographs showing the test in progress appears in Figure 7. Once the test is complete, the displacements and corresponding loads are recorded. Typical results are shown in Figure 8, for either procedure A or B. In summary, we feel that there now exists a new tool to evaluate embedment Deflection (mm) FIGURE 8 typical connection strength results geomembranes. It allows us to explore different stud styles and configurations as well as different mix designs. It does not proport to simulate full field conditions of embedment liners or the group effect of multiple studs or configurations. However, this method is a first step in conformance testing to a specification or establishment of saturated process control (SPC) database for materials used in such applications. G 42 Geosynthetics | February March 2023 Force-Load (N)