Use of geomembranes in high altitude applications: examples of PVC-P geomembranes

Abstract

The aging of PVC-P geomembranes at high altitude is addressed through literature review and the example of a particular water storage pond used for artificial snow coverage. Test results are presented for 3 geomembrane samples extracted from the pond. Probable causes for the early degradation of the geomembrane and associated physico-chemical phenomena are then proposed. Then, the upmost importance of UV protection of geomembranes is underlined.