Geosynthetic sealing membrane

Abstract

The invention relates to the use of a geosynthetic sealing membrane. The invention also relates to a geosynthetic sealing membrane, a sealing membrane arrangement and a method for sealing soil layers and / or for creating liquid barriers and / or gas barriers in soils. The geosynthetic sealing membrane for sealing soil layers and / or for creating liquid barriers and / or gas barriers in soils comprises: a main body (20) of sheet-like design and a connecting portion (10) which is arranged along an edge portion of the main body and is connected to the edge portion of the main body in an integrally bonded manner, wherein the connecting portion comprises or consists of a thermoplastic material, in particular polyethylene and / or polyvinyl chloride and / or polypropylene and / or a biodegradable plastic, wherein the connecting portion has a first connecting element (21, 42d, 41c, 42c), or has a second connecting element, or has a first and a second connecting element (21, 42d, 41c, 42c).

Description

[0001] Geosynthetic sealing membrane

[0002] The invention relates to the use of a geosynthetic sealing liner. The group of geosynthetic sealing liners includes, among others, geosynthetic clay liners (GCL) and plastic liners (PKL). Furthermore, the invention relates to a geosynthetic sealing liner, a sealing liner assembly, and a method for sealing soil layers and / or for creating liquid and / or gas barriers in soils.

[0003] Geosynthetic liners are typically used to seal soil layers and / or create liquid and / or gas barriers in soils. A watertight and / or gas-tight connection between plastic layers is often necessary to achieve the desired sealing effect of the liners. Therefore, the liners are usually designed to be watertight and / or gas-tight, preventing water and / or gas transport through the liners themselves.

[0004] If a larger area is to be sealed with geomembranes, multiple geomembranes must be used. For this purpose, the geomembranes are laid parallel to one another, typically overlapping in a joint area. In this overlapping area, the geomembranes are joined together to form a watertight joint. For plastic geomembranes, the joint is achieved by welding, either with or without additional material. For example, hot wedge welding can be used as a welding process without additional material, and extrusion welding can be used as a welding process with additional material.

[0005] Furthermore, the overlapping areas can also be bonded with a seam tape. This joining method is known, for example, for joining adjacent coated clay liners.

[0006] A major disadvantage of such known uses of geomembranes is that the described welding processes require special tools, and trained personnel are needed on site to operate these special tools. Furthermore, welded joints can only be safely produced under certain weather conditions; in particular, the conditions must be dry and the temperature must be above the dew point.

[0007] For geomembranes constructed as fabric sheets, the required tightness is only achieved by grouting between two fabric layers. The fabric sheets serve as formwork and reinforcement, not as a sealing element themselves. The sealing element, created on-site by grouting / filling, is uneven and has a varying thickness. Furthermore, it is inflexible and very massive and heavy, which also results in high connection costs. Therefore, the use of such fabric sheets is technically and economically unsuitable for many application conditions.

[0008] Conventional adhesive joints for joining two geomembranes typically use an adhesive strip. However, after bonding, there is no way to test for leaks or press the joint. Furthermore, the adhesives typically used lack sufficient durability and therefore do not offer sufficient water and gas impermeability, which is why such adhesive joints cannot be used in critical areas, such as landfill sealing.

[0009] The invention is therefore based on the object of providing an improved solution that addresses at least one of the aforementioned problems. In particular, the object of the invention is to provide a solution that enables an improved and more easily producible watertight and / or gas-tight connection between two sealing membranes.

[0010] According to a first aspect, the object is achieved by the use of a geosynthetic sealing membrane, comprising a flat main body having a length, a width and a thickness, wherein the thickness is many times smaller than the length and wherein the thickness is many times smaller than the width, and a connecting portion which is arranged along an edge portion of the main body and is integrally connected to the edge portion of the main body, wherein the connecting portion comprises or consists of a thermoplastic material, in particular polyethylene and / or polyvinyl chloride and / or polypropylene and / or a biodegradable plastic, wherein the connecting portion has a first connecting element which is designed to produce an integral connection with a further connecting element of a further sealing membrane,wherein the first connecting element comprises a thermoplastic, in particular polyethylene, and / or a soluble plastic, and / or an adhesive and / or an adhesive-receiving surface for producing a material-locking connection, or comprises a second connecting element which is designed to produce a form-fitting connection with a further connecting element of a further sealing membrane, wherein the second connecting element comprises at least one form-fitting functional element which is designed to be connected in a form-fitting manner to a matching function-receiving element on the further connecting element, or comprises a first and a second connecting element, wherein the first connecting element is designed to produce a material-locking connection with a further connecting element of a further sealing membrane,wherein the first connecting element comprises a thermoplastic, in particular polyethylene, and / or a soluble plastic, and / or an adhesive and / or an adhesive-receiving surface for producing a material-locking connection, and wherein the second connecting element is designed to produce a form-fitting connection with a further connecting element of a further sealing membrane, wherein the second connecting element has at least one form-fitting functional element which is designed to be form-fittingly connected to a matching function-receiving element on the further connecting element, wherein the first and second connecting elements are preferably designed integrally, for sealing soil layers and / or for creating liquid barriers and / or gas barriers in soils in such a way that a first sealing membrane and a further sealing membrane are laid out next to one another at an installation location,in particular, are rolled out and are sealed together by means of a material-locking connection of the first connecting element of the first sealing sheet and / or a form-locking connection of the second connecting element of the first connecting sheet with a further connecting element of the further sealing sheet.

[0011] The geosynthetic liner can comprise or consist of one or more materials. The geosynthetic liner can be, for example, a plastic liner or a clay liner, for example, coated with polyethylene. The terms geosynthetic liner and liner are used synonymously here.

[0012] The sealing membranes described here are used in particular for the surface sealing of soil layers and / or for the creation of surface liquid barriers.

[0013] The thickness of the main body is preferably constant. The connecting section preferably runs parallel to the extension of the main body in the longitudinal direction.

[0014] The first connecting element serves, in particular, to create a materially bonded and preferably waterproof connection. The second connecting element comprises a functional element that can be positively coupled, in particular, to a matching function-receiving element. The functional element and the positive-locking function-receiving element can preferably interlock in such a way that a positive, particularly waterproof, connection is formed.

[0015] A first advantage of the invention is that such sealing membranes can be laid out and directly connected to one another without requiring any special requirements for establishing the connection between two adjacent sealing membranes. A connection between sealing membranes can be created without the need for special tools, such as welding. Furthermore, no specially trained personnel are required to create the connection.

[0016] A further advantage of the invention is that the sealing membranes described here can be laid and connected to one another relatively independently of weather conditions. A connection between such sealing membranes can be established even below the dew point. This allows a connection between such sealing membranes to be established even under weather conditions in which conventional sealing membranes cannot be connected.

[0017] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the first connecting element is designed for tool-free production of a cohesive, in particular watertight, connection with another connecting element of another sealing membrane. Thus, a cohesive and watertight connection can be produced in a particularly advantageous manner without the need for specific tools.

[0018] It is particularly preferred that the first connecting element is designed to establish a material-to-material connection with another connecting element of another sealing membrane without using a welding process. The first connecting element preferably comprises a means for establishing a material-to-material connection, which can be activated during installation of the sealing membrane and which is preferably integrated into the first connecting element. The first connecting element is preferably designed to establish a material-to-material connection with another connecting element of another sealing membrane without using a welding device.

[0019] The means for producing the material-to-material connection is preferably designed as an activatable adhesive and / or as an integrated heating element, in particular for melting a region of the first connecting element. The activatable adhesive can in particular be designed such that the connection is made by chemical activation, in particular cold welding, and / or by pressure and / or by adding an activator. The adhesive can be applied in one or two or more parallel tracks. The adhesive can be applied to the flat surface of the connecting section or in a recess in the connecting section. Until bonding, the adhesive can be protected from aging and premature bonding by means of a suitable adhesive protection, for example in the form of a protective film.The integrated heating element can, in particular, be a heating wire, which is preferably integrated into the sealing membrane, particularly preferably into the connecting element. A heating wire is understood, in particular, to be a resistance wire that can be heated by applying and / or inducing an electrical voltage. Such a heating wire is preferably embedded in a plastic, whereby the plastic can be melted upon heating the heating wire, in particular by means of electrical heating, in order to then form a material-to-material connection upon cooling.

[0020] It is preferred if the second connecting element is designed to create a positive connection with another connecting element of another sealing membrane without the use of tools. Preferably, a positive connection between the second connecting element and another connecting element can be created without the use of tools.

[0021] Furthermore, it is preferred if the connecting section has a third connecting element which is designed to produce a positive connection, in particular with a further connecting element of a further sealing sheet, wherein the third connecting element has at least one second functional element which is designed to engage with at least one corresponding functional element, wherein the third connecting element is designed to produce a positive connection with a further connecting element of a further sealing sheet without the use of tools.

[0022] The second functional element can be designed like the first functional element. However, the second functional element can also be designed such that a first functional element can engage with the second functional element, or vice versa. This makes it possible to connect two connecting elements, each comprising a first and a second functional element, by connecting the first and second functional elements.

[0023] It is further preferred if the second connecting element is designed to establish a positive, in particular watertight, connection with another connecting element of another sealing membrane by means of a zipper and / or a zip fastener. Preferably, a connection between the first functional element and a second functional element of another sealing membrane can be established by means of a zipper connection and / or a zip fastener connection.

[0024] It is preferred if the third connecting element is designed to establish a positive, in particular watertight, connection with another connecting element of another sealing membrane by means of a zipper and / or a zip fastener. Preferably, a connection between functional elements can be established in this way to establish a zipper connection and / or a zip fastener connection.

[0025] Particularly preferred is the use of a sealing membrane as a first and / or second sealing membrane of a sealing membrane arrangement as described here.

[0026] It is even further preferred if the sealing membrane is designed for covering sludge ponds and / or for sealing a retention basin and / or for tunnel sealing and / or for temporary soil covering and / or for sealing in mining and / or for sealing soil layers on a landfill.

[0027] Due to the possibility of easily producing and using a reliable waterproof sealing membrane arrangement, the use of a sealing membrane described here is particularly advantageous for sludge pond covers, retention basin seals and / or tunnel covers.

[0028] Particularly preferred is the use of a sealing membrane, wherein the sealing membrane is developed as described below.

[0029] According to a further aspect, the object mentioned at the outset is achieved by a geosynthetic sealing membrane for sealing soil layers and / or for creating liquid barriers and / or gas barriers in soils, comprising a flat main body having a length, a width and a thickness, wherein the thickness is many times smaller than the length and wherein the thickness is many times smaller than the width, and a connecting portion which is arranged along an edge portion of the main body and is integrally connected to the edge portion of the main body, wherein the connecting portion comprises or consists of a thermoplastic, in particular polyethylene, wherein the connecting portion has a first connecting element which is designed to produce an integral connection with a further connecting element of a further sealing membrane,wherein the first connecting element comprises a thermoplastic, in particular polyethylene, and / or a soluble plastic, and / or an adhesive and / or an adhesive-receiving surface for producing a material-locking connection, or comprises a second connecting element which is designed to produce a form-fitting connection with a further connecting element of a further sealing membrane, wherein the second connecting element comprises at least one form-fitting functional element which is designed to be connected in a form-fitting manner to a matching function-receiving element on the further connecting element, or comprises a first and a second connecting element, wherein the first connecting element is designed to produce a material-locking connection with a further connecting element of a further sealing membrane,wherein the first connecting element comprises a thermoplastic, in particular polyethylene, and / or a soluble plastic, and / or an adhesive and / or an adhesive-receiving surface for producing a material-locking connection, and wherein the second connecting element is designed to produce a positive connection with a further connecting element of a further sealing membrane, wherein the second connecting element has at least one positive-locking functional element which is designed to be positively connected to a matching function-receiving element on the further connecting element, wherein the first and second connecting elements are preferably designed integrally.

[0030] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the at least one first functional element is designed to establish a positive connection by means of a sliding fastener and / or a zipper and / or a snap fastener and / or a snap connection. A snap connection is understood, in particular, to mean connections with interlocking functional elements for the positive joining of components, in which a joining part is elastically deformed and subsequently interlocked.

[0031] A sliding closure is understood in particular to mean a closure formed from a closure strip with two interlocking profiles. The at least one first functional element can also be designed to establish a connection by means of a pressure fastener. A pressure fastener is understood in particular to mean a closure formed from a closure strip comprising two interlocking profiles that can be brought into engagement by pressure. The at least one first functional element can in particular be designed to establish a watertight connection.

[0032] It is particularly preferred if the at least one first functional element has an outer contour with a circular-segment-shaped cross-section, wherein the outer contour of the at least one first functional element is preferably designed to engage in a corresponding functional element with a circular-segment-shaped recess. Such a recess is preferably designed such that a corresponding functional element can engage in the recess, thus establishing a positive connection between the functional elements.

[0033] Preferably, the connecting section has a third connecting element which is designed to produce a positive connection, in particular with a further connecting element of a further sealing sheet, wherein the third connecting element has at least one second functional element which is designed to engage with at least one corresponding functional element.

[0034] It is preferred that the at least one second functional element has a recess in the shape of a segment of a circle, wherein the at least one second functional element is preferably designed to receive a corresponding functional element having an outer contour with a cross-section in the shape of a segment of a circle, wherein the at least one first functional element and the at least one second functional element are preferably designed such that the at least one first functional element can engage in the at least one second functional element in order to establish a positive connection. Such a recess is preferably designed such that a corresponding functional element can engage in the recess, thus establishing a positive connection between the functional elements.

[0035] It is further preferred that the second connecting element and the third connecting element are formed as flat layers arranged at least partially one above the other, which are not connected to each other at least in sections. The second and third connecting elements can, in particular, be arranged so as to overlap at least in sections.

[0036] It is even more preferred that the main body comprises a plastic layer, in particular comprising a thermoplastic, preferably polyethylene. The main body can also consist essentially or entirely of plastic. The main body can also comprise multiple layers, of which at least one, preferably two, layers are a plastic layer, wherein the plastic layer is preferably water-impermeable. It is even more preferred that the sealing membrane is water-impermeable and / or gas-impermeable. This is preferably achieved by means of at least one water-impermeable plastic layer.

[0037] Furthermore, it is preferred that the connecting section has at least one heating element, preferably in the form of at least one heating wire, which is arranged in the region of the first or the second connecting element, wherein the heating element is preferably surrounded by the thermoplastic material in the connecting section, wherein the heating element preferably has a plurality of heating wires which are arranged in the region of the first connecting element.

[0038] Multiple, especially two, heating elements can also be used. The heating element can also be used to increase the elasticity of a form-fitting element during joining and / or as a heating element to cause shrinkage, particularly by utilizing the shrink tube principle to strengthen and seal the form-fitting connection.

[0039] The heating element can be used, in particular, to melt plastic and thereby create a bonded joint. Furthermore, such a heating element can be used to heat and / or activate adhesive to create a bonded joint. Furthermore, the heating element can be used to make a form fit more elastic, making it easier to create the form fit. After cooling, the formed form fit can be particularly strong and rigid.

[0040] It is further preferred if the sealing membrane is designed as a plastic sealing membrane, preferably comprising polyethylene, and / or a geosynthetic clay sealing membrane comprising a swellable material such as a clay mineral layer arranged between two geotextile layers, and / or a swelling agent sealing membrane. In this case, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and / or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) can be used as the polyethylene (PE). A clay mineral layer is understood in particular to mean a layer that comprises or consists of bentonite. The sealing membrane preferably comprises geotextile composites. The sealing membrane can in particular be a needle-punched geosynthetic clay sealing membrane made of encapsulating geosynthetics and sodium bentonite. The sealing membrane can also be designed as a mat known as a bentonite mat.It is even more preferred that the sealing sheet has a thickness of at least 0.15 mm, preferably at least 0.2 mm, in particular at least 1 mm. The sealing sheet preferably has a thickness of at most 20 mm, preferably at most 10 mm, in particular at most 5 mm.

[0041] According to a further aspect, the object mentioned at the outset is achieved by a sealing membrane arrangement for sealing soil layers and / or for creating liquid barriers and / or gas barriers in soils, comprising a first sealing membrane as described here, a second sealing membrane as described here, wherein the connecting section of the first sealing membrane and the connecting section of the second sealing membrane are connected to one another in a materially bonded and / or form-fitting manner.

[0042] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, it is provided that the first connecting element of the first sealing sheet is materially connected to the first connecting element of the second sealing sheet.

[0043] Preferably, the second connecting element of the first sealing sheet is positively connected to the third connecting element of the second sealing sheet.

[0044] Preferably, the third connecting element of the first sealing sheet is positively connected to the second connecting element of the second sealing sheet.

[0045] It is preferred if a test channel is formed between the connecting section of the first sealing sheet and the connecting section of the second sealing sheet, wherein the test channel preferably extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first sealing sheet and / or parallel to the longitudinal direction of the second sealing sheet.

[0046] Such a test channel can be used to test the leaks of the produced connection. The test channel can, for example, be formed between two adhesive joints. To test a connection with a test channel, a defined overpressure can be generated in the test channel, for example in a range of 2.8 bar to 5 bar in the case of a double hot wedge weld with a test channel. The test channel is then equipped with a pressure gauge and the pressure drop is monitored over a certain period of time, for example 10 minutes. If the pressure drop is too great, for example more than 1 bar in 10 minutes, it can be assumed that there is a leak. If pressure drops below such a defined limit, however, it is assumed that there is creep in the material and not a leak.A test is also possible according to a corresponding principle by generating a negative pressure, if, for example, an adhesive bond could not withstand the peeling forces caused by an overpressure.

[0047] It is particularly preferred if a grouting channel is formed between the connecting section of the first sealing membrane and the connecting section of the second sealing membrane, wherein the grouting channel preferably extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first sealing membrane and / or parallel to the longitudinal direction of the second sealing membrane, wherein a grouting agent for providing a watertight connection between the connecting sections of the first and second sealing membranes is preferably arranged in the grouting channel. Such a grouting channel can be filled, in particular completely, with a grouting agent. The grouting agent can, for example, comprise or consist of a bentonite suspension and / or comprise or consist of bitumen and / or comprise or consist of a chemical grouting agent, in particular in the form of a chemically setting gel.The grouting agent is preferably liquid or pasty during grouting, allowing any air present to be completely expelled during grouting. After a grouting process, the grouting agent preferably bonds with the walls of the grouting channel, creating a watertight connection. The set grouting agent preferably has a similar ductility to the connecting section. Examples of grouting agents that can be used include synthetic resins, bitumen, bentonite suspension, or cement suspension. Preferably, a grouting agent is used that does not change its volume, or does not change significantly, during the setting process.

[0048] According to a further aspect, the object mentioned above is achieved by a method for sealing soil layers and / or for creating liquid barriers and / or gas barriers in soils, comprising providing a first sealing membrane as described here, providing a second sealing membrane as described here, arranging the connecting section of the first sealing membrane on the connecting section of the second sealing membrane, and producing a material-to-material connection and / or a positive-locking connection between the connecting section of the first sealing membrane and the connecting section of the second sealing membrane. The first and second sealing membranes are preferably of identical design. In particular, the first and second sealing membranes can have the same connecting elements and / or the same or interconnectable functional elements.

[0049] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the provision of the first sealing sheet and / or the provision of the second sealing sheet comprises the following steps: producing the sealing sheet, comprising the main body and the connecting section, by means of an extrusion process, and / or producing the main body by means of an extrusion process and producing the connecting section, and then materially connecting, in particular by welding and / or gluing, the main body to the connecting section. It is particularly preferred if the main body and the connecting section are produced together in one step in the extrusion process. However, the main body and the connecting section can also be produced separately and subsequently connected to one another, in particular materially.

[0050] It is particularly preferred that the method comprises generating a laying plan depending on three-dimensional position data, preferably generated by means of laser scanning, determining the required sealing membranes depending on the laying plan, and manufacturing the required sealing membranes depending on the laying plan.

[0051] Furthermore, it is preferred if the production of a material-to-material connection between the connecting section of the first sealing sheet and the connecting section of the second sealing sheet comprises the following steps: heating a heating element, in particular by applying an electrical voltage to the heating element designed as a heating wire and / or by inducing an electrical voltage by moving a magnetic element along the connecting section, for melting a plastic and subsequently cooling the plastic, and / or chemically activating the adhesive and / or generating pressure in the region of the adhesive and / or adding an activator to the adhesive. Heating of the heating wire can thus take place by applying an electrical voltage to the heating wire.The heating wire can also be heated by means of electromagnetic induction, wherein preferably the connecting section is swept over with a magnetic element, in particular in the form of a magnetic coil, so that an electrical voltage is generated in the heating wire. It is further preferred if the method comprises: arranging a tension element on the second connecting element and / or the third connecting element of the first and / or the second sealing sheet, and creating a positive connection between the second connecting element of the first sealing sheet and the third connecting element of the second sealing sheet and / or between the third connecting element of the first sealing sheet and the second connecting element of the second sealing sheet by pulling the tension element, in particular in a direction parallel to the longitudinal extent of the first and / or the second sealing sheet.

[0052] Preferably, such a tension element is used to create a zipper connection and / or a zip fastener connection, wherein, in particular, the tension element is connected to an element used to create a zipper connection and / or a zip fastener connection. Thus, such a tension element can be used to create a connection, particularly a watertight one, between two sealing membranes by pulling the tension element along the connecting elements.

[0053] Furthermore, it is preferred that the production of a material-locking connection between the connecting section of the first sealing sheet and the connecting section of the second sealing sheet comprises the following steps: creating at least one channel between the connecting section of the first sealing sheet and the connecting section of the second sealing sheet, wherein the channel preferably extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first sealing sheet and / or parallel to the longitudinal direction of the second sealing sheet. Preferably, the at least one channel is produced by producing a positive connection.

[0054] Furthermore, it is preferred that the production of a material-to-material connection between the connecting section of the first sealing sheet and the connecting section of the second sealing sheet comprises the following steps: generating a negative pressure in the at least one channel in order to press the connecting section of the first sealing sheet and the connecting section of the second sealing sheet against one another at least in sections, generating at least one material-to-material connection between the connecting section of the first sealing sheet and the connecting section of the second connecting sheet, wherein preferably a further channel is formed by the material-to-material connection. By generating a negative pressure in the channel, the connecting sections can be pressed against one another in order to then be able to produce a material-to-material connection.

[0055] It is even further preferred that the method comprises: testing the gas-tightness and / or watertightness of the material-locking and / or form-fitting connection by means of pressure testing in the at least one channel and / or in the further channel, and / or filling the at least one channel and / or the further channel with a grouting agent and grouting the sections of the connecting section of the first and the second sealing membrane arranged in the region of the at least one channel and / or the further channel.

[0056] For the advantages, design variants and design details of the various solutions described here and their respective possible further developments, reference is also made to the description of the corresponding features, details and advantages of the other aspects and their further developments.

[0057] Preferred embodiments are explained by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures. They show:

[0058] Fig. 1 : a schematic cross-sectional view of a first

[0059] Example of two interconnected sealing membranes,

[0060] Fig. 2: a schematic cross-sectional view of a second

[0061] Example of two interconnected sealing membranes,

[0062] Fig. 3: a schematic cross-sectional view of a third

[0063] Example of two interconnected sealing membranes,

[0064] Fig. 4: a schematic cross-sectional view of a fourth

[0065] Example of two interconnected sealing membranes,

[0066] Fig. 5a: a schematic cross-sectional view of a first

[0067] Embodiment of two second connecting elements,

[0068] Fig. 5b: a schematic cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of two second connecting elements, Fig. 6: a schematic process sequence of a method for sealing soil layers and / or for creating liquid barriers and / or gas barriers in soils.

[0069] In the figures, identical or essentially functionally identical or similar elements are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0070] Fig. 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of two interconnected sealing membranes. A first sealing membrane 20 has a connecting section 10 made of high-density polyethylene, which has a first connecting element 21. The first connecting element 21 here is a factory-prepared adhesive layer with an adhesive arranged in a recess in the connecting section 10. The connecting section 10 of the first sealing membrane 20 can be connected to a connecting section of a second sealing membrane 30. The second sealing membrane 30 also has a first connecting element 31, which is designed like the first connecting element 21 of the first sealing membrane 20. The two adhesive layers 21, 31 can form an adhesive connection and thus a material-to-material connection.The bonding can be designed in such a way that the connection is made by chemical activation, so-called “cold welding”, or by pressure or by adding an activator.

[0071] Fig. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of two interconnected sealing sheets. A first sealing sheet 20 has a connecting section 10 made of high-density polyethylene, which has a first connecting element 21, 22. The first connecting element 21, 22 comprises two parallel, factory-prepared adhesive layers, each with an adhesive arranged in a recess in the connecting section 10. The connecting section 10 of the first sealing sheet 20 can be connected to a connecting section of a second sealing sheet 30. The second sealing sheet 30 also has a connecting element 31, 32, which is designed like the connecting element 21, 22 of the first sealing sheet 20. The adhesive layers 21, 22, 31, 32 can form an adhesive connection and thus a material-to-material connection with a test channel 40 running between the adhesive layers.The bond can be designed such that the connection is made by chemical activation, so-called "cold welding", or by pressure or by adding an activator. Fig. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a third exemplary embodiment of two interconnected sealing sheets. The first sealing sheet 20 is connected to a connecting section 10 by a connection 28. The connecting section 10 has two sections. The first section 42 comprises a first connecting element 42d, in which several heating wires 45 are embedded, and a third connecting element 42e. The first connecting element is designed to create a material-to-material connection. For this purpose, plastic is melted in the region of the first connecting element 42d by heating the heating wires.As the molten plastic cools and solidifies, a materially bonded connection is created with a connecting section of the second sealing sheet 30. The third connecting element 42e is designed to create a positive connection 60 with the second connecting element 51 of the second sealing sheet 30. And the second connecting element 41 is designed to create a positive connection 60 with the third connecting element 52e of the second connecting sheet 30. The positive connections 60 between the two sealing sheets 20, 30 are arranged on line 90. All connections run perpendicular to the plane of the drawing. The connecting section of the second sealing sheet 30 is constructed like the connecting section 10 of the first sealing sheet 20.To create the connections between the two connecting sections, the sealing sheets are arranged rotated by 180° to each other, so that in the first sealing sheet, the first connecting element 42d and the third connecting element 42e are arranged at the bottom, and in the second sealing sheet 30, the first connecting element 52d and the third connecting element 52e are arranged at the top. Accordingly, the second connecting element 41 in the first sealing sheet is arranged at the top, and the second connecting element 51 of the second sealing sheet is arranged at the top. The second sealing sheet also has heating wires 55 for creating a material-locking connection. The positive connections 60 can also be used to temporarily achieve a mechanical connection and to seal the resulting channel against the atmosphere until a permanent, material-locking connection is established.This permanent, integral bond can be achieved by first creating a vacuum in the temporarily sealed channel, which presses the two overlapping sealing membrane sections together. Once the vacuum is fully applied and the two films are pressed together without wrinkles, the heating elements 45, 55 can be energized. A bond is created during the plasticization of the molten areas following melting. The provision of such a welding area creates a watertight connection and a channel located between them, which can be used either as a test channel for testing the connection or as a grouting channel for grouting the channel.

[0072] Fig. 4 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of two interconnected sealing membranes. The first sealing membrane 20 has a connecting section 10, which is connected to the main body of the sealing membrane via a connection 28 (here a factory-produced, pressed hot wedge seam). The main body of the second sealing membrane 30 is also connected to the connecting section of the second sealing membrane by means of a similarly designed connection 38. The connecting section 10 of the first sealing membrane has a first connecting element 41c, 42c, which here is in the form of a pressing agent and / or an adhesive applied to the sections of the connecting section. The connecting section of the second sealing membrane 30 has a corresponding first connecting element 51c, 52c, which comprises a pressing agent and / or an adhesive.The connecting section 10 has two sections 41, 42e, which are designed as a second connecting element 41 and as a third connecting element 42e, each for producing a positive connection 60 with a connecting section of a second sealing sheet 30. The second connecting element 41 of the first sealing sheet 20 is positively connected to the third connecting element 52e of the second sealing sheet 30. The third connecting element 42e of the first sealing sheet 20 is positively connected to the second connecting element 51 of the second sealing sheet 30. The positive connections 60 are created by arranging a first zipper 71 in one connecting area and a second zipper 72 in the other connecting area. The zippers are connected to one another via a web 80. A pull cord 70 is arranged on the upper zipper 71.By pulling the pull cord 70 along the connecting sections, a positive-locking zipper connection 60 can be created with the help of the upper zipper 71. Since the first zipper 71 is connected to the second zipper 72 via the web 80, the second zipper moves with the first zipper, thereby simultaneously creating a positive-locking zipper connection 60 in the lower area with the help of the lower zipper 72.

[0073] After closing the zip connection 60, the sections 51 and 52e, as well as 41 and 42e, come into contact with one another, as the spacing web 80 is further drawn and ends at the end of the section in the longitudinal direction of the web. The connecting sections are pressed together by a vacuum applied to the resulting channel such that the connecting means 51c and 52c, as well as 41c and 42, which are designed in particular as adhesives 51c and 52c, as well as 41c and 42c, come into contact with one another and form a connection. Alternatively, the resulting channel can be pressed or flooded, for example, with a sealing agent.

[0074] Fig. 5a shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of two connecting elements. A functional element 41a, which is head-shaped here, is arranged on a connecting element 41 of a first sealing sheet (as described, for example, in Fig. 3 or Fig. 4). A functional element 52a, which has a recess for receiving a head-shaped functional element, is arranged on a connecting element 52 of a second sealing sheet. Thus, the two functional elements 41a, 52a can interlock and form a positive connection 60.

[0075] Fig. 5b shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of two second connecting elements. A first functional element 41a and a second functional element 41b are arranged on a connecting element 41 of a first sealing sheet (as described, for example, in Fig. 3 or Fig. 4). The first functional element 41a is head-shaped here, and the second functional element has a recess for receiving a head-shaped functional element 41b. A first functional element 52a and a second functional element 52b are arranged on a connecting element 52 of a second sealing sheet. The first functional element 52a has a recess for receiving a head-shaped functional element, and the second functional element 52b is head-shaped.Thus, the two functional elements 41 a, 41 b of the first connecting element 41 can engage with the two functional elements 52 a, 52 b of the connecting element 52 of a second sealing sheet and thus form a positive connection 60.

[0076] Fig. 6 shows a schematic process flow of a method for sealing soil layers and / or for creating liquid barriers and / or gas barriers in soils. The method 100 for sealing soil layers and / or for creating liquid barriers and / or gas barriers in soils comprises the following steps: In a step 110, generating a laying plan depending on three-dimensional position data, preferably generated by laser scanning and taking into account geometric distortions caused by, for example, inclinations, curvatures or kinks. In a step 120, determining the required sealing membranes depending on the laying plan. In a step 130, manufacturing the required sealing membranes depending on the laying plan. In a step 140, providing a first sealing membrane. In a step 150, providing a second sealing membrane.In a step 160, arranging the connecting section of the first sealing sheet on the connecting section of the second sealing sheet. In a step 170, producing a materially bonded connection and / or a positive-locking connection between the connecting section of the first sealing sheet and the connecting section of the second sealing sheet. In a step 180, arranging a tension element on the second connecting element and / or the third connecting element of the first and / or the second sealing sheet. In a step 190, creating a positive-locking connection between the second connecting element of the first sealing sheet and the third connecting element of the second sealing sheet and / or between the third connecting element of the first sealing sheet and the second connecting element of the second sealing sheet by pulling the tension element, in particular in a direction parallel to the longitudinal extent of the first and / or the second sealing sheet.In a step 200, by means of negative pressure pressing or by means of heating wires, melting or flooding the channels of the connecting sections with sealant and / or pressing agent.

Claims

Claims 1. Use of a geosynthetic sealing membrane, comprising a flat main body (20) with a length, a width and a thickness, wherein the thickness is many times smaller than the length and wherein the thickness is many times smaller than the width, and a connecting section (10) which is arranged along an edge section of the main body and is integrally connected to the edge section of the main body, wherein the connecting section comprises or consists of a thermoplastic material, in particular polyethylene and / or polyvinyl chloride and / or polypropylene and / or a biodegradable plastic, wherein the connecting section has a first connecting element (21, 42d, 41c, 42c) which is designed to produce an integral connection with a further connecting element of a further sealing membrane,wherein the first connecting element for producing a material-locking connection comprises a thermoplastic plastic, in particular polyethylene, and / or a soluble plastic, and / or an adhesive and / or an adhesive-receiving surface, or comprises a second connecting element (41) which is designed to produce a form-fitting connection (60) with a further connecting element of a further sealing membrane (30), wherein the second connecting element has at least one form-fitting functional element (41a) which is designed to be connected in a form-fitting manner to a matching function-receiving element on the further connecting element, or comprises a first and a second connecting element, wherein the first connecting element (21, 42d, 41c, 42c) is designed to produce a material-locking connection with a further connecting element of a, further sealing membrane, wherein the first connecting element comprises a thermoplastic plastic, in particular polyethylene, and / or a soluble plastic, and / or an adhesive and / or an adhesive-receiving surface for producing a material-locking connection, and wherein the second connecting element (41) is designed to produce a positive connection (60) with a further connecting element of a further sealing membrane (30), wherein the second connecting element has at least one positive-locking functional element (41a) which is designed to be positively connected to a matching function-receiving element on the further connecting element, wherein preferably the first and second connecting elements are designed integrally, for sealing soil layers and / or for creating liquid barriers and / or gas barriers in soils in such a way,that a first sealing sheet and a further sealing sheet are laid out next to each other at an installation site, in particular rolled out, and are sealingly connected to each other by means of a material-locking connection of the first connecting element of the first sealing sheet and / or a form-locking connection of the second connecting element of the first connecting sheet with a further connecting element of the further sealing sheet.

2. Use of the sealing sheet according to the preceding claim, wherein the first connecting element is designed for tool-free production of a material-locking, in particular water-impermeable, connection with a further connecting element of a further sealing sheet.

3. Use of the sealing sheet according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the first connecting element is designed to produce a material connection with a further connecting element of a further sealing sheet without using a welding process, wherein the first connecting element preferably has a means for producing a material-to-material connection, which can be activated when laying the sealing membrane and which is preferably integrated in the first connecting element.

4. Use of the sealing sheet according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for producing the material-locking connection is designed as an activatable adhesive and / or as an integrated heating element, in particular for melting a region of the first connecting element.

5. Use of the sealing sheet according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the second connecting element is designed to produce a form-fitting connection with a further connecting element of a further sealing sheet without the use of tools, and / or wherein the connecting section has a third connecting element which is designed to produce a form-fitting connection, in particular with a further connecting element of a further sealing sheet, wherein the third connecting element has at least one second functional element which is designed to engage with at least one corresponding functional element, wherein the third connecting element is designed to produce a form-fitting connection with a further connecting element of a further sealing sheet without the use of tools.

6. Use of the sealing membrane according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the second connecting element is designed to produce a positive, in particular water-impermeable, connection with a further connecting element of a further sealing membrane by means of a zipper and / or a zip fastener, and / or wherein the third connecting element is designed to produce a positive, in particular water-impermeable, connection with a further connecting element of a further sealing membrane by means of a zipper and / or a zip fastener.

7. Use of the sealing membrane according to at least one of the preceding claims, as a first and / or second sealing membrane of a sealing membrane arrangement according to at least one of claims 22-24.

8. Use of a sealing membrane according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing membrane is designed for sludge pond covering and / or for sealing a retention basin and / or for tunnel sealing and / or for temporary soil covering and / or for sealing in mining and / or for sealing soil layers on a landfill.

9. Use of a sealing membrane according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sealing membrane is developed according to one of claims 10-20.

10. Geosynthetic sealing membrane for sealing soil layers and / or for creating liquid barriers and / or gas barriers in soils, comprising a flat main body (20) having a length, a width and a thickness, wherein the thickness is many times smaller than the length and wherein the thickness is many times smaller than the width, and a connecting section (10) arranged along an edge section of the main body and integrally connected to the edge section of the main body, wherein the connecting section comprises or consists of a thermoplastic material, in particular polyethylene, wherein the connecting section has a first connecting element (21, 42d, 41c, 42c) designed to produce an integral connection with a further connecting element of a further sealing sheet, wherein the first connecting element for producing an integral connection has a thermoplastic material, in particular polyethylene, and / or a soluble plastic, and / or an adhesive and / or an adhesive-receiving surface, or a second connecting element designed to produce a positive connection (60) with a further connecting element of a further sealing sheet (30),wherein the second connecting element has at least one form-fitting functional element (41a) which is designed to be connected in a form-fitting manner to a matching function-receiving element on the further connecting element, or has a first and a second connecting element (21, 42d, 41c, 42c), wherein the first connecting element is designed to produce a material-locking connection with a further connecting element of a further sealing membrane, wherein the first connecting element has a thermoplastic, in particular polyethylene, and / or a soluble plastic, and / or an adhesive and / or an adhesive-receiving surface for producing a material-locking connection, and wherein the second connecting element is designed to produce a form-fitting connection (60) with a further connecting element of a further sealing membrane (30),wherein the second connecting element has at least one form-fitting functional element (41 a) which is designed to form-fit with a matching, Function receiving element to be connected to the further connecting element, wherein preferably the first and second connecting elements are designed integrally.

11. Sealing membrane according to the preceding claim, wherein the at least one first functional element (41 a) is designed to produce a positive connection by means of a sliding closure and / or a zipper and / or a pressure closure and / or a snap connection.

12. Sealing membrane according to at least one of the preceding claims 10-11, wherein the at least one first functional element (41 a) has an outer contour with a circular segment-shaped cross-section, wherein the outer contour of the at least one first functional element is preferably designed to engage in a corresponding functional element with a circular segment-shaped recess.

13. Sealing sheet according to at least one of the preceding claims 10-12, wherein the connecting section has a third connecting element (42e) which is designed to produce a positive connection (60), in particular with a further connecting element of a further sealing sheet, wherein the third connecting element (42e) has at least one second functional element (41b) which is designed to engage with at least one corresponding functional element.

14. Sealing membrane according to at least one of the preceding claims 10-13, wherein the at least one second functional element (41 b) has a circular segment-shaped recess, wherein the at least one second functional element is preferably designed to receive a corresponding functional element with an outer contour with a circular segment-shaped cross-section, wherein preferably the at least one first functional element (41 a) and the at least one second functional element (41 b) are designed such that the at least one first functional element can engage in the at least one second functional element in order to establish a positive connection.

15. Sealing membrane according to at least one of the preceding claims 10-14, wherein the second connecting element and the third connecting element are formed as flat layers arranged at least partially one above the other, which are at least partially not connected to one another.

16. Sealing membrane according to at least one of the preceding claims 10-15, wherein the main body (20) has a plastic layer, in particular comprising a thermoplastic, preferably polyethylene.

17. Sealing membrane according to at least one of the preceding claims 10-16, wherein the sealing membrane is water-impermeable and / or gas-impermeable.

18. Sealing membrane according to at least one of the preceding claims 10-17, wherein the connecting section has at least one heating element (45), preferably in the form of at least one heating wire, which is arranged in the region of the first or the second connecting element, wherein the heating element is preferably surrounded by the thermoplastic material in the connecting section, wherein the heating element preferably has a plurality of heating wires which are arranged in the region of the first connecting element.

19. Sealing membrane according to at least one of the preceding claims 10-18, wherein the sealing membrane is designed as a plastic sealing membrane, preferably comprising polyethylene, and / or a geosynthetic clay sealing membrane, comprising a swellable material such as a clay mineral layer arranged between two geotextile layers, and / or a swelling agent sealing membrane, and / or wherein the sealing membrane comprises geotextile composites.

20. Sealing sheet according to at least one of the preceding claims 10-19, wherein the sealing sheet has a thickness of at least 0.15 mm, preferably at least 0.2 mm, in particular at least 1 mm, and wherein preferably the sealing sheet has a thickness of at most 20 mm, preferably at most 10 mm, in particular at most 5 mm.

21. Sealing membrane arrangement for sealing soil layers and / or for creating liquid barriers and / or gas barriers in soils, comprising a first sealing membrane (20) according to at least one of claims 10-20, a second sealing membrane (30) according to at least one of claims 10-20, wherein the connecting section of the first sealing membrane and the connecting section of the second sealing membrane are connected to one another in a materially bonded and / or form-fitting manner.

22. Sealing sheet arrangement according to the preceding claim, wherein the first connecting element of the first sealing sheet is materially connected to the first connecting element of the second sealing sheet, and / or wherein the second connecting element of the first sealing sheet is positively connected to the third connecting element of the second sealing sheet, and / or wherein the third connecting element of the first sealing sheet is positively connected to the second connecting element of the second sealing sheet.

23. Sealing sheet arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims 21-22, wherein a test channel is formed between the connecting section of the first sealing sheet and the connecting section of the second sealing sheet, wherein the test channel preferably extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first sealing sheet and / or parallel to the longitudinal direction of the second sealing sheet.

24. Sealing sheet arrangement according to at least one of the preceding claims 21-23, wherein a grouting channel is formed between the connecting section of the first sealing sheet and the connecting section of the second sealing sheet, wherein the grouting channel preferably extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first sealing sheet and / or parallel to the longitudinal direction of the second sealing sheet, wherein a grouting means for providing a watertight connection between the connecting sections of the first and the second sealing sheet is preferably arranged in the grouting channel.

25. A method (100) for sealing soil layers and / or for creating liquid barriers and / or gas barriers in soils, comprising Providing (140) a first sealing membrane according to at least claims 10-20, Providing (150) a second sealing membrane according to at least one of claims 10-20, Arranging (160) the connecting section of the first sealing sheet on the connecting section of the second sealing sheet, Producing (170) a material-locking connection and / or a positive-locking connection between the connecting section of the first sealing sheet and the connecting section of the second sealing sheet.

26. Method according to the preceding claim, wherein the provision of the first sealing membrane and / or the provision of the second sealing membrane comprises the following steps: Producing the sealing sheet, comprising the main body and the connecting section, by means of an extrusion process, and / or Producing the main body by means of an extrusion process, and producing the connecting section, and then materially connecting, in particular by means of welding and / or gluing, the main body to the connecting section.

27. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims 25-26, comprising: Generating (110) a laying plan as a function of three-dimensional position data, preferably generated by laser scanning, Determining (120) the required sealing membranes depending on the installation plan, Production (130) of the required sealing membranes depending on the installation plan, 28. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims 25-27, wherein the production of a material connection between the connecting section of the first sealing sheet and the connecting section of the second sealing sheet comprises the following steps: Heating a heating element, in particular by applying an electrical voltage to the heating element designed as a heating wire and / or by inducing an electrical voltage by moving a magnetic element along the connecting section, for melting a plastic and subsequently cooling the plastic, and / or Chemically activating the adhesive and / or creating pressure in the area of ​​the adhesive and / or adding an activator to the adhesive.

29. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims 25-28, comprising Arranging (180) a tension element on the second connecting element and / or the third connecting element of the first and / or the second sealing membrane, and Creating (190) a positive connection between the second connecting element of the first sealing sheet and the third connecting element of the second sealing sheet and / or between the third connecting element of the first sealing sheet and the second connecting element of the second sealing sheet by pulling the pulling element, in particular in a direction parallel to the longitudinal extent of the first and / or the second sealing sheet.

30. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims 25-29, wherein the production of a material connection between the connecting section of the first sealing sheet and the connecting section of the second sealing sheet comprises the following steps: Creating at least one channel between the connecting section of the first sealing sheet and the connecting section of the second sealing sheet, wherein the channel preferably extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first sealing sheet and / or parallel to the longitudinal direction of the second sealing sheet, 31. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims 25-30, wherein the production of a material connection between the connecting section of the first sealing sheet and the connecting section of the second sealing sheet comprises the following steps: Generating a negative pressure in the at least one channel in order to press the connecting section of the first sealing sheet and the connecting section of the second sealing sheet against each other at least in sections, Creating at least one material-to-material connection between the connecting section of the first sealing sheet and the connecting section of the second connecting sheet, wherein preferably a further channel is formed by the material-to-material connection.

32. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims 25-31, comprising Testing the gas tightness and / or water tightness of the material-locking and / or form-fitting connection by means of pressure testing in the at least one channel and / or in the further channel, and / or Filling the at least one channel and / or the further channel with a grouting agent and pressing the connecting sections of the first and second sealing membrane arranged in the region of the at least one channel and / or the further channel.

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