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2. Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC)
3. Cold Regions Research Engineering Laboratory (CRREL) - (2/1/1961 - present)
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5. CRREL Report

Title:	Evaluation of MESL membrane : puncture, stiffness, temperature, solvents
Authors:	Sayward, John M.
Keywords:	Cold effect Polyethylene Membranes Polypropylene MESL (membrane-enveloped soil layer) Puncture Non-woven fabric (plastic) Stiffness Plastic Plastics film Solvent action
Publisher:	Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory (U.S.) Engineer Research and Development Center (U.S.)
Series/Report no.:	CRREL report ; 76-22.
Description:	CRREL Report Abstract: Several membrane materials used or considered for MESL (membrane-enveloped soil layer) utilization of poor soils in road construction have been tested for cold effect on puncture and stiffness. PE (polyethylene) film was also tested for solvent soak effects. A simple blunt needle apparatus was devised for puncture testing. For plastic films (mainly PE), both puncture resistance and stiffness increase at low temperature (0°F, -18°C) For non-woven, spunbonded fabrics these properties are little affected by cold. For both non-wovens and PE film, puncture and bending strengths increase linearly with weight or thickness. The slope is steeper for the non-wovens, which generally are stronger on a per unit weight basis. PE film soaked in a hydrocarbon solvent swelled approximately 17% and lost 30-40% of its puncture strength. These effects are apparently reversible upon drying. Consideration has been given to sealing and patching requirements and to the drying of sealant liquids when adhenng film to film. Also considered have been possible slippage related to the reported low angle of friction of plastic films in soil and the possibility of lamination for improved membrane properties.
Rights:	Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
URI:	http://hdl.handle.net/11681/9545
Appears in Collections:	CRREL Report