CQA Plan - Full PDF
CQA Plan - Full PDF
CQA Plan - Full PDF
CONSTRUCTION QUALITY
ASSURANCE PLAN
Form 24, Part VI
PERMIT MODIFICATION APPLICATION:
PHASE II REPORT
Lanchester Landfill
Honey Brook, Pennsylvania
Prepared by:
January 2009
Revised October 2009
Revised October 2010
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Purpose of the Construction Quality Assurance Plan ........................................ 1
1.2 Construction Quality Assurance and Construction Quality Control .................. 1
1.3 Applicable References........................................................................................ 2
1.4 Organization of the Construction Quality Assurance Plan ................................ 2
2. PROJECT PERSONNEL ........................................................................................ 3
2.1 Overview ............................................................................................................ 3
2.2 Owner ................................................................................................................. 3
2.3 Project Manager ................................................................................................. 3
2.4 Engineer ............................................................................................................. 3
2.5 Contractor ........................................................................................................... 3
2.5.1 Overview................................................................................................... 3
2.5.2 Qualifications ............................................................................................ 3
2.6 Geosynthetics Manufacturer .............................................................................. 4
2.6.1 Overview................................................................................................... 4
2.6.2 Qualifications ............................................................................................ 4
2.7 Geosynthetics Installer ....................................................................................... 4
2.7.1 Overview................................................................................................... 4
2.7.2 Qualifications ............................................................................................ 4
2.8 Surveyor ............................................................................................................. 5
2.8.1 Overview................................................................................................... 5
2.8.2 Qualifications ............................................................................................ 5
2.9 CQA Consultant ................................................................................................. 6
2.9.1 Overview................................................................................................... 6
2.9.2 Qualifications for Specific CQA Team Members .................................... 6
2.9.2 CQA Managing Engineer Duties .............................................................. 7
2.9.3 CQA Site Manager Duties ........................................................................ 7
2.9.4 CQA Monitor Duties ................................................................................ 9
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B i 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B ii 07.12.20
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B iv 07.12.20
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(continued)
TABLES
FIGURE
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B v 07.12.20
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
1. INTRODUCTION
This Construction Quality Assurance Plan (CQA Plan) establishes the construction
quality assurance monitoring and documentation activities that will be implemented
during construction of the liner and final cover systems, and related facilities (erosion
control structures, leachate transmission and landfill gas management systems, access
roads, etc.) associated with the Area E expansion of the Lanchester Landfill, located in
Honey Brook, Pennsylvania (Site). The purpose of the CQA Plan is to provide specific
procedures that will be followed by CQA personnel in order to assure the Owner that
the construction was performed in accordance with the Drawings and Technical
Specifications. This CQA Plan does not address design guidelines, installation
specifications, or selection of soils, geomembrane, and other geosynthetic components.
This CQA Plan is a site-specific document which addresses the following: (i) CQA
personnel responsibilities and authorities; (ii) monitoring and testing activities that will
be performed during construction; and (iii) CQA documentation requirements. In the
context of this document, Construction Quality Assurance and Construction Quality
Control are defined as follows:
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 1 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
Organizations whose standards are referenced in the CQA Plan and Technical
Specifications include: (i) American Association of State Highway and Transportation
Officials (AASHTO); (ii) American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM); (iii)
Geosynthetic Research Institute (GRI); (iv) Maryland Department of Transportation
(MDOT); (v) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA); (vi) Plastic Pipe
Institute (PPI); and (vii) American Concrete Institute (ACI).
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 2 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
2. PROJECT PERSONNEL
2.1 Overview
The project organization chart depicting the key roles and lines of communication
for the Lanchester Landfill (Project) is presented in Figure 1. The duties and
responsibilities of the CQA individuals identified in Figure 1 are described below.
2.2 Owner
In this CQA Plan and Technical Specifications, the term “Owner” refers
specifically to Chester County Solid Waste Authority (CCSWA).
The Project Manager is the official representative of the Owner (i.e., Owner’s
Representative) and is responsible for the coordination and management of activities
associated with construction of the Project.
2.4 Engineer
The Engineer is the firm that prepared the Drawings, Technical Specifications, and
CQA Plan for the Project. Geosyntec Consultants (Geosyntec) of Columbia, Maryland,
is the Engineer for the Project.
2.5 Contractor
2.5.1 Overview
2.5.2 Qualifications
The Contractor shall exhibit prior experience in the scope of work that is specific
to the project. The Contractor shall have a demonstrated history of successful
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 3 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
completion of roadway, landfill, and earthwork construction and shall have all
appropriate Federal, State, and local licenses required to perform the work.
2.6.1 Overview
The Geosynthetics Manufacturer is the firm or firms responsible for the production
of geosynthetics (i.e., geomembrane, geosynthetic clay liner, geogrid, etc.) to be used
on this Project and its delivery to the Site.
2.6.2 Qualifications
2.7.1 Overview
2.7.2 Qualifications
The Geosynthetics Installer will be trained and qualified to install the geosynthetics
proposed for this project. The Geosynthetics Installer, in particular, must be approved
and/or licensed by the various Geosynthetics Manufacturer(s) for installation of the
various geosynthetic components. Further, the Geosynthetics Installer must be pre-
qualified and approved by the Project Manager and Engineer. The Geosynthetics
Installer shall provide a list of ten (10) projects totaling a minimum of 5,000,000 ft2 of
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 4 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
material it has installed which required substantially the same materials as required for
this project. Each project does not require every material, but the total of all the
projects must equal at least 5,000,000 ft2 for each geosynthetic material.
The Geosynthetic Installer shall provide a superintendent to this project who shall
have supervised the installation of a minimum of 2,000,000 ft2 of HDPE geomembrane
on at least five (5) similar projects. The Geosynthetic Installer shall provide at least one
seamer with experience seaming a minimum of 100,000 lineal ft. of HDPE
geomembrane seams using the same type of seaming apparatus to be used at this
project. Seamers with such experience will be designated “master seamers” and shall
provide direct supervision over less experienced seamers. All seaming personnel shall
have been trained in the seaming methods required for the project. No seaming shall
take place without the master seamer being present.
The Geosynthetics Installer shall provide the Project Manager with a list of
proposed seaming personnel and documentation of their experience and qualifications.
Any seaming personnel deemed insufficiently experienced will not be accepted for the
project or invited to pass a seaming test. The Superintendent proposed by the
Geosynthetic Installer shall exhibit good communication skills and shall be approved by
the Project Manager.
2.8 Surveyor
2.8.1 Overview
2.8.2 Qualifications
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 5 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
2.9.1 Overview
The CQA Consultant is a party, independent from the Owner, the Contractor, the
Manufacturer(s), and the Geosynthetics Installer. The CQA Consultant will be a team
of individuals who are experienced in the provision of CQA services for similar
projects. The CQA team will include the CQA Managing Engineer, a CQA Site
Manager, and the CQA Soils and Geosynthetics Monitor(s). The CQA Managing
Engineer will lead the CQA team. The CQA team may utilize the services of other
qualified individuals to assist with the assignments. Together, the CQA team will
perform several assignments during construction. These assignments will include
performing CQA for earthwork construction, geosynthetics installation, and all other
related components of the Project. The CQA team is responsible for observing and
performing field testing and documentation activities related to the performance of the
various components of the design. Field and laboratory testing are to be performed in
accordance with applicable standards and specifications. The CQA Consultant is also
responsible for issuing a final report to CCSWA after the completion of work for the
Project.
The CQA team must be experienced in monitoring the construction of the various
components of the Project and must include a qualified engineer licensed as a
Professional Engineer in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The CQA Site Manager shall provide documentation of field CQA experience with
soils and geosynthetics on at least five (5) projects totaling 1,000,000 ft2 of landfill liner
or final cover system installation. Materials installed must correspond to the materials
required for this project. Each project does not require every material, but experience
with each geosynthetic material must make up a fraction of the 1,000,000 ft2 total.
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 6 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
The CQA Monitor(s) must have received prior CQA training in the particular soil
or geosynthetic material type they are observing and documenting.
The CQA Managing Engineer will manage the CQA activities. He will review all
clarifications and changes, which may affect the design and will serve as technical
reviewer of the final report. He will also be directly accessible to the Project Manager,
Engineer, and CQA personnel for technical direction during construction. The CQA
Managing Engineer must provide clear documentation demonstrating construction
experience on at least five previous landfill projects during the past five years.
becomes familiar with the Drawings, Technical Specifications, and CQA Plan;
attends the preconstruction meetings, progress meetings, and any resolution
meetings when requested;
administers the CQA program (i.e., assigns and manages all CQA personnel,
reviews all field reports, and provides engineering review of all CQA-related
issues);
provides quality control of the CQA personnel, including site visits;
reviews all changes to the Drawings, Technical Specifications, and CQA Plan;
with assistance from the CQA Site Manager, prepares the final CQA report,
including a review of the as-built record drawings provided by the Surveyor all
changes to the Drawings, Technical Specifications, and CQA Plan; and
certifies and seals the final CQA report, addressing PADEP review questions
which may arise.
The CQA Site Manager will interact on a frequent basis with all project personnel,
and will have authority over the field CQA monitors. The responsibilities and duties of
the CQA Site Manager include the following:
becomes familiar with the Drawings, Technical Specifications, and CQA Plan;
acts as the on-site (resident) representative of the CQA Consultant;
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 7 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 8 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
notes any on-site activities that could result in damage to the geosynthetics;
designates a senior CQA Monitor to act on his behalf whenever he is absent
from the Site while operations are on-going; and
prepares the final report with the CQA Managing Engineer.
The duties of the CQA Soil Monitor(s) and CQA Geosynthetic Monitor(s) are
assigned by the CQA Site Manager and include monitoring, logging, and/or
documenting associated earthwork construction and geosynthetics installation.
The operations to be monitored by the CQA Geosynthetic Monitors include, for all
geosynthetics:
observing and documentation of material delivery;
observing and documentation of material unloading and on-site transport and
storage;
observing and documentation of all geosynthetic placement operations;
observing and documentation of all joining and/or seaming operations;
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 9 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
The Soils CQA Laboratory will have experience in the physical testing of soils and
concrete, and be familiar with, and properly equipped to perform the geotechnical
testing required by the CQA Plan. The Soils CQA Laboratory must be certified by the
American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO).
The Geosynthetics CQA Laboratory will have experience in testing the types of
geosynthetics to be used on the Project, and be familiar with, and properly equipped to
perform the testing required by the CQA Plan. The Geosynthetics CQA Laboratory
must be certified by the Geosynthetic Research Institute (GRI).
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 10 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
FIGURE 1
LINES OF COMMUNICATION
LANCHESTER LANDFILL
HONEY BROOK, PENNSYLVANIA
CCSWA
Project Manager
CQA Consultant
Geosynthetics CQA Managing Engineer
Contractor Engineer
Installer Site CQA Manger
CQA Monitors
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 11 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
3. PROJECT MEETINGS
3.1 Introduction
Meetings with key project personnel are necessary to assure a high degree of
quality during construction, and promote clear, open channels of communication.
Therefore, preconstruction meetings for the major portions of the construction are
essential for the success of the Project. Preconstruction meetings will be held prior to
all major construction components of the Project including, but not be limited to
mobilization and geosynthetics installation.
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 12 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
A progress meeting (via teleconference or at the Site) will be held bi-weekly (or
more frequently as determined by Owner) during construction between select CQA
personnel, the Contractor, and the Project Manager. The CQA Managing Engineer
and/or Engineer will participate in the bi-weekly meetings when appropriate. Current
progress, planned activities for the upcoming week, and any new business or revisions
to the work will be discussed at this meeting. Minutes of the progress meetings will be
recorded by a member of the CQA team and will document in the meeting minutes any
problems, decisions, or questions arising at this meeting. Any matters requiring action
which are raised in this meeting will be reported to the appropriate parties. Minutes of
weekly progress meetings will be distributed to each party present at the meeting and
other designated parties and will be transmitted to all parties within five days of the
meeting.
Informal daily progress meetings will be held between the CQA Site Manager and
the Contractor prior to the start of work or following the completion of work. The
purpose of these meetings will be to review the previous day’s activities, review the
upcoming day’s activities, and identify any needs or potential construction problems. .
Special meetings will be held by the Project Manager when and if problems or
deficiencies are present or judged likely to occur. At a minimum, these meetings will
be attended by the Contractor, the Project Manager, and select CQA personnel. The
purpose of these meetings will be to define and resolve the problem or work deficiency
as follows:
define and discuss the problem or deficiency;
review alternative solutions; and
implement an action plan to resolve the problem or deficiency.
Items discussed during these meetings will be documented by the Project Manager,
and if deemed necessary, minutes will be transmitted to the appropriate parties.
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 13 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
4. CQA SURVEYING
The scope of surveying may include, but not necessarily be limited to:
It will be the responsibility of the CQA personnel and the Surveyor to coordinate
the surveying work such that areas are promptly surveyed, interim results are reviewed,
and approval is granted for the Contractor to proceed with subsequent work in the areas.
The CQA Site Manager will report any nonconformance or inconsistencies to the
Project Manager and Contractor promptly to minimize delays in the construction.
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 14 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
5. DOCUMENTATION
5.1 Introduction
The CQA Site Manager will provide the CQA Managing Engineer and Project
Manager with signed descriptive remarks, data sheets, and logs to verify that the
monitoring activities have been performed. The CQA Site Manager will also maintain
at the job site a complete file of the Drawings, Technical Specifications, CQA Plan,
checklists, test procedures, daily logs, and other pertinent documents.
5.2.1 Overview
The CQA Site Manager will prepare a memorandum (i.e., daily field report) each
day, summarizing their discussions with the Contractor and/or Geosynthetics Installer,
and construction operations, as well as CQA activities. Daily field reports will also be
prepared by each member of the CQA Consultant team. At a minimum, the daily field
report will include the following information:
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 15 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
Monitoring logs and test data sheets will be prepared daily when construction
activities involve placement of soils or geosynthetics installation. At a minimum, these
logs and data sheets will include the following information:
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 16 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
A summary of the supporting data sheets, along with final testing results and the
CQA Site Manager’s approval of the work, will be required upon completion of
construction in which the construction situation, deficiency and/or defect was
satisfactorily repaired and completed.
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 17 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
At the completion of the work, the CQA Consultant will submit to CCSWA a
signed and sealed final report. The final report will certify: (i) that the work has been
performed in substantial compliance with the Drawings, Technical Specifications, and
CQA Plan; (ii) physical sampling and testing, except as properly authorized, have been
performed at the appropriate frequencies; and (iii) that the summary document provides
the necessary supporting documentation.
The record drawings will include scale drawings depicting the location of the
construction and details pertaining to the extent of construction (e.g., depths, plan
dimensions, elevations, soil component thickness, etc.). All surveying and base maps
required for development of the record drawings will be prepared by the Contractor’s
Surveyor. The CQA Consultant will include these record drawings as part of the final
report.
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 18 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
6.1 Overview
This section of the CQA Plan addresses the CQA program to be implemented with
regard to erosion and sediment controls. The following CQA activities are discussed in
the remainder of this section:
Prior to construction, the Project Manager and/or Engineer will examine all of the
suppliers’ certifications to verify that the property values listed on the certifications
meet or exceed project requirements, and that proper and complete documentation has
been provided by the Contractor for the temporary and permanent erosion and
sedimentation materials that will be used at the Site. The Project Manager and/or
Engineer will report any deviations from the above requirements to the Contractor prior
to approving installation of the materials.
The CQA Consultant will observe the Contractor’s work activities and will verify
that, prior to initiating work in any given area, temporary erosion and sediment controls,
as required in the Drawings and Technical Specifications have been installed. The
CQA Consultant will routinely verify that the Contractor keeps the site free from
excessive sediment and in as neat a condition as possible. This includes the project
area, haul roads, borrow areas, stockpile areas, and the entrance area to the Site. The
CQA Consultant will verify that the Contractor selects the appropriate erosion and
sediment controls from the Drawings and Technical Specifications.
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 19 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
The CQA Consultant will verify that stockpiles are located as shown on the
Drawings or as approved by the Project Manager, and that the Contractor has installed
and is frequently maintaining all erosion and sedimentation control measures around
these areas, as required in the project documents.
The CQA Consultant will report any deficiencies and noncompliance in the erosion
and sedimentation controls to the Contractor. The extent of the deficiencies will be
evaluated by observations, review of records, or other means deemed appropriate by the
CQA Consultant and/or Project Manager. The Contractor will promptly correct any
deficiency to the satisfaction of the CQA Consultant and Project Manager.
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 20 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
7. EARTHWORK
7.1 Overview
This section of the CQA Plan addresses the CQA program to be implemented with
regard to general earthwork. Earthwork construction consists of placement and
compaction of all soil or aggregate components of the work. The following activities
are discussed in this section:
7.2.1 Overview
7.2.1 Subbase
Subbase shall be placed in a single loose lift that results in a compacted lift
thickness of 6 in. Tolerance for the thickness of the subbase layer is zero to +0.2 ft.
Compaction shall be performed using a vibratory smooth drum roller or sheepsfoot
compactor, unless other compaction equipment is approved by Engineer. Hand
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 21 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
Protective cover shall consist of an 18-in thick layer of aggregate meeting the
requirements for AASHTO number 57 stone, restricting the maximum particle size to 1-
inch (Table 1). Protective cover shall be hard, angular, non-carbonate aggregate that is
free of debris, foreign objects, organics, and vegetative matter. Hydraulic conductivity
of the protective cover shall be 1 x 10-2 cm/sec or greater.
Protective cover shall be placed in a single lift using low ground pressure
equipment. Equipment shall not travel over exposed geosynthetics. Low ground
pressure equipment shall track over the surface to spread and compact the protective
cover. Compaction equipment shall not be used. The completed thickness shall be zero
to +0.2 ft of the 18-in minimum.
Structural fill shall be used to construct the mechanically stabilized earth (MSE)
berm as well as embankments and other purposes as shown on the design drawings.
Structural fill shall consist of natural, relatively homogeneous soils that are free of
debris, foreign objects, oversize rocks, and excess vegetative matter. Specific structural
fill property requirements, including soil classification and particle size are found in
Table 1. Note that due to the specialized nature of structural fill which is placed within
the reinforced zone of the MSE berm, there are different structural fill property
requirements for this type of structural fill.
Structural fill shall be placed in a loose lift that results in a compacted lift thickness
between 6 and 12 in. The completed structural fill surface shall be within ±0.2 ft of the
lines and grades shown on the design drawings. Compaction shall be performed using a
vibratory smooth drum roller unless other compaction equipment is approved by
Engineer. Hand compaction of material shall be used in locations where larger
compaction is inappropriate due to limited area. Structural fill shall be compacted to at
least 95 percent of the maximum dry density and at an acceptable moisture content as
determined by standard Proctor testing (ASTM D-698).
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 22 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
Vegetative subsoil shall be placed in a single loose lift using low ground pressure
equipment. Equipment shall not travel over exposed geosynthetics. Equipment shall
track over the surface just enough to eliminate voids in the vegetative subsoil.
Compaction equipment shall not be used. The completed thickness shall be zero to +0.2
ft of the 15-in minimum.
7.2.5 Topsoil
Topsoil shall be a 9-in thick layer of soil capable of promoting the growth of
vegetation. Topsoil shall consist of natural, relatively homogeneous soils that are free
of debris, foreign objects, oversize rocks, clay clods, or excess vegetative matter.
Specific topsoil property requirements, including soil classification and particle size are
found in Table 1.
Topsoil shall be placed in a single loose lift using low ground pressure equipment.
Equipment shall track over the surface just enough to eliminate voids in the topsoil.
Compaction equipment shall not be used. The completed thickness shall be zero to +0.2
ft of the 9-in minimum. Nutrients (including agricultural lime and fertilizer) shall be
added to topsoil as necessary to promote vigorous growth of vegetation.
Prior to construction with any given soil or aggregate material, test results from the
Contractor for a sample of each material taken from the proposed source will be
submitted. The CQA Site Manager will review the test results with the requirements of
Table 1 in this CQA Plan to ensure that each material meets the project requirements.
Results of the preconstruction tests may be counted toward the conformance testing
frequency requirements, provided the results meet the specified material properties.
The CQA Site Manager may also request that the Contractor provide a sample of each
material for additional testing, if further preconstruction qualification testing is
warranted.
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 23 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
For subbase and low-permeability soils, the Contractor shall perform pre-
qualification testing to develop a window of acceptable in-place moisture content and
dry density to meet maximum hydraulic conductivity required in Table 1 of this CQA
Plan. The evaluation of the moisture-density-hydraulic conductivity relationship of the
material shall be based on a minimum of 3 pre-qualification tests in which the hydraulic
conductivity of the subbase and low-permeability soils is determined at varying
moisture and density conditions. The relationship shall be used by the CQA Consultant
during construction.
If a sample fails a conformance test, then the CQA Site Manager will notify the
Contractor and use of the material represented by that sample will not be allowed.
Additional tests will be performed by the CQA Site Manager as directed by the Project
Manager, or the Contractor will use material from a different source.
The CQA evaluation procedures specified herein shall be used during the
construction of the test pad. After construction is finalized, undisturbed soil samples
shall be collected and tested in the laboratory to verify that the specified soil properties
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 24 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
were met. Laboratory tests will include, at a minimum, moisture content, density, and
hydraulic conductivity.
The CCSWA Project Manager and/or Engineer will review the means and methods
used in the construction of the test pad, the CQA data collected during test pad
construction, and the laboratory test results conducted on the undisturbed samples.
Conclusions of this review will be used by the CCSWA Project Manager and/or
Engineer to evaluate the appropriateness of the contractor’s proposed means and
methods to construct the MSE berm. MSE berm construction shall only commence
after authorized by the CCSWA Project Manager and/or Engineer.
The CQA Consultant will monitor and document the earthwork activities.
Monitoring the construction work for the earthwork materials will include the
following:
The CQA Consultant will visually observe soils as they are placed, spread and
compacted. Visual observations will include checking for lift thickness, material
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 25 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
consistency with prequalified soil types, the presence of oversized rocks or deleterious
materials, and other conditions (e.g. excessive rutting or pumping), that would indicate
lack of conformance with required material placement procedures.
The CQA Consultant will be responsible for submitting enough samples to the
Soils CQA Laboratory to meet the minimum testing frequency. It is also the
responsibility of the CQA Consultant to monitor placement and compaction of soil in
the liner system anchor trench. The CQA Consultant will verify that the backfilling and
compaction techniques do not damage the geosynthetics in or near the anchor trench
and that good compaction techniques are used (i.e. soils are placed in multiple lifts, is
not excessively wet or dry, with adequate compactive effort). Moisture and density
testing of the backfill in the anchor trench is not required.
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 26 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
Prior to placing each lift of subbase and low permeability soils, the preceding lift of
compacted soil will be scarified to a depth no greater than 3-in. to promote bonding
between lifts.
Hydraulic conductivity samples will be taken such that the Shelby tube is inserted
into the subbase and low permeability soils normal (i.e., perpendicular) to the plane of
the constructed surface.
Perforations that must be filled will include, but not be limited to, the following:
All perforations of the subbase and low permeability soils (e.g. by probe or Shelby
tube) will be backfilled with either subbase and low permeability soils or a sand mixture
containing a minimum of a ten percent bentonite powder. The repair soils will be
compacted in-place with a tamping rod, hammer, or hand tamper, depending on the size
of the perforation.
Acceptance of the subbase and low-permeability soils will be based on the results
of laboratory hydraulic conductivity results from in-situ (Shelby tube) samples.
Subsequent soil or geosynthetic layers may not be placed on subbase or low-
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 27 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
permeability soils which have not been shown to meet the permeability requirements at
the test frequency shown in Tables 1 through 3 or this CQA Plan.
A special testing frequency will be used at the discretion of the CQA Consultant
when initial testing or visual observations of construction performance indicate a
potential problem. Additional testing for suspected areas will be considered when:
After defining the extent and nature of a defect, the CQA Consultant will notify the
Contractor, and at times, the Project Manager, to schedule appropriate retests after the
work deficiency is corrected.
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 28 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
At locations where the field testing indicates densities below the requirements of
the Technical Specifications, the failing area will be reworked. For subbase and low
permeability soils, where the field testing indicates the moisture content is above or
below the requirements, the area will be scarified, moisture-conditioned, and
recompacted. Alternatively, at the CQA Consultant and Owner’s Project Manager’s
option, undisturbed samples of in-place material will be obtained and hydraulic
conductivity testing will be performed as appropriate. Unless specified otherwise, the
density requirements for the subbase and low permeability soils may be waived if the
hydraulic conductivity tests reveal acceptable results.
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 29 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
8. GEOGRID
8.1 Overview
This section of the CQA Plan addresses the CQA program to be implemented with
regard to installation of the geogrid associated with MSE berm construction. Geogrid
will be supplied and installed by a specialty MSE Berm Installer, under direct contract
with the Contractor.
Conformance samples will be taken by the CQA Consultant across the entire width
of the roll and will not include the first 3 ft. of material. Unless otherwise specified,
samples will be 3-ft. long by the roll width. The CQA Consultant will mark the
machine direction on the samples with an arrow and affix a label, tag, or otherwise
mark each sample with the following information:
date sampled;
project number;
lot/batch number and roll number;
conformance sample number; and
CQA Consultant personnel identification.
All conformance test results will be reviewed by the CQA Consultant before
installation of the geogrid. Any nonconformance of the material’s physical properties
will be promptly reported to the Contractor and/or Geosynthetic Installer. The
following procedure will apply whenever a geogrid sample fails a conformance test
performed by the CQA Consultant.
The Contractor and/or Geogrid Installer will be required to replace all of the
rolls of geogrid within the lot/batch from which the non-conforming sample
was obtained.
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 30 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
During conformance testing, the CQA Consultant will also verify that the Geogrid
Manufacturer has identified all rolls of geogrid with the following information:
name of manufacturer;
product identification;
lot number;
batch number;
roll number; and
roll dimensions.
The CQA Consultant will record all of the above information for each roll
delivered to the Site using a Material Inventory Log form for the geogrid.
Each panel shall be continuous (e.g. without seams) for the entire embedment
length specified. Any holes or tears in a roll of geogrid shall be cut out by removing the
portion of the roll with the damage.
Geogrid shall be deployed so that is lays flat and adjoining geogrid panels butt
against one another. Placement of geogrid around corners, embedded pipes, or other
structures shall conform to the drawings. Care shall be taken to ensure that geogrid is
deployed in the proper orientation to the face of the MSE berm. After deployment,
geogrid shall be restrained from movement by staking or anchoring the geogrid with a
small quantity of soil prior to placing and compacting structural fill. Steel tracked
equipment may not travel directly on the geogrid, but must maintain a minimum 6-in
thickness of overlying soil. Rubber tired equipment may travel directly over the
geogrid at low speeds and without sudden braking or sharp turns. The Geogrid Installer
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 31 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
shall coordinate deployment of geogrid to minimize the need for incoming hauling
trucks to travel over geogrid.
The CQA Consultant will verify that the Contractor places all soil materials on top
of the geogrid such that:
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 32 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
steel tracked equipment does not travel directly on top of the geogrid.
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 33 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
9. GEOMEMBRANE
9.1 Overview
This section of the CQA Plan addresses the CQA program to be implemented with
regard to installation of the high-density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembrane.
Geomembrane will be supplied and installed by a specialty Geosynthetics Installer,
under direct contract with the Contractor.
Conformance samples will be taken by the CQA Consultant across the entire width
of the roll and will not include the first 3 ft. of material. Unless otherwise specified,
samples will be 3-ft. long by the roll width. Samples will be taken at a minimum
frequency of one sample per 200,000 ft2 with a minimum of one sample per lot.
Conformance tests will be performed in accordance with laboratory test methods
presented in Table 7 of this CQA Plan.
The CQA Consultant will mark the machine direction on the samples with an
arrow and affix a label, tag, or otherwise mark each sample with the following
information:
date sampled;
project number;
lot/batch number and roll number;
conformance sample number; and
CQA personnel identification.
The CQA Consultant will review all CQA and MQC conformance test results
before approving deployment of the geomembrane. Any nonconformance of the
material’s physical properties will be promptly reported to the Geosynthetic Installer.
The following procedure will apply whenever a geomembrane sample fails a
conformance test performed by the CQA Consultant:
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 34 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
During conformance testing, the CQA Consultant will also verify that the
Geomembrane Manufacturer has identified all rolls of geomembrane with the following
information:
name of manufacturer;
product identification;
thickness;
lot number;
batch number;
roll number; and
roll dimensions.
The CQA Consultant will record the above information for each roll delivered to
the Site using a Material Inventory Log form for the geomembrane.
During storage, the geomembrane shall be protected from excessive heat or cold,
puncture, cutting, or other damaging or deleterious conditions. The geomembrane shall
be stored in accordance with any additional requirements of the Geomembrane
Manufacturer.
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 35 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
seams shall be oriented up or down and not across slopes. The panel layout drawings
will be provided to the CQA Consultant to support field conformance activities.
Field panels shall be placed one at a time, and each field panel shall be seamed to
adjacent panels the same day that it is placed. Geomembrane shall not be placed when
the ambient temperature is below 32F or above 104F, unless otherwise authorized by
the Engineer. In addition, geomembrane shall not be placed during any precipitation, in
the presence of excessive moisture (e.g., frost, ice, fog, dew), in an area of ponded
water, or in the presence of winds exceeding 20 miles per hour. The method used to
place each field panel shall not scratch or crimp the geomembrane and shall not damage
the supporting soil. Care shall be taken to minimize wrinkles, especially differential
wrinkles between adjacent panels.
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 36 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
9.5.1 Overview
In general, seams shall be oriented parallel to the line of maximum slope, (i.e.,
oriented down, not across, the slope). In corners and at odd-shaped geometric locations,
the number of field seams shall be minimized. No horizontal seam shall be made within
5 ft. of any toe of the slope, except where approved by the Engineer.
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 37 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
Prior to seaming, the seam area shall be cleaned and made free of moisture, dust,
dirt, debris of any kind, and foreign material. If seam overlap grinding is required, then
the process shall be completed according to the Geomembrane Manufacturer’s
instructions within 20 minutes of the seaming operation and in a manner that does not
damage the geomembrane. The grind depth shall not exceed ten percent of the
geomembrane thickness. Grinding marks shall not appear beyond 0.25 in. of the
extrudate after it is placed. Seams shall be aligned with the fewest possible number of
wrinkles and “fishmouths”.
Geomembrane seaming shall extend to the outside edge of panels, including those
panels placed in the anchor trench. If required to provide a firm substrate, then a board,
or similar hard surface, placed directly under the seam overlap may be used to achieve
proper support. Fishmouths or wrinkles at the seam overlaps shall be removed by
cutting the geomembrane along the ridge of the wrinkle. At the end(s) of the cut, cut a
circle in the geomembrane to achieve a flat overlap. The cut shall be seamed as
described in the Section. Any portion where the overlap is inadequate shall then be
patched with an oval or round patch of the same geomembrane that extends a minimum
of 6 in. beyond the cut in all directions.
Approved processes for field seaming are extrusion welding and fusion welding.
Extrusion welding equipment shall be equipped with gauges giving the temperature in
the apparatus. Fusion-welding apparatus shall be automated vehicular-mounted devices
equipped with gauges giving the instantaneous temperatures and pressures of the
machine.
Trial seams shall be made prior to production seaming by all seamers and by all
equipment to be used during production seaming. The trial seams shall be made on
fragment pieces of geomembrane to verify that seaming conditions are adequate. Such
trial seams shall be made at the beginning of each seaming period, and at least once
each five hours, for each seaming apparatus used that day. Also, each seamer shall
make at least one trial seam each day. Trial seams shall be made under the same
conditions as actual production field seams. The trial seam sample shall be at least 5-ft.
long by 1-ft. wide (after seaming) with the seam centered lengthwise.
Four adjoining specimens, each 1.0-in. wide, shall be cut from the trial seam
sample by the Geosynthetics Installer. The specimens shall be tested in peel (both
tracks for fusion welds) using an electronic readout field tensiometer, and the specimen
shall fail by film tear bond (FTB) (i.e., failure in the parent material) rather than in the
seam. The Geosynthetics Installer shall test the specimens in the presence of the CQA
Consultant. If a specimen fails to comply with the properties stated in Table 8, then the
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 38 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
entire operation shall be repeated. If the additional specimen fails to meet these
requirements, then the seaming apparatus or seamer shall not be accepted and shall not
be used for seaming until the deficiencies are corrected and two consecutive successful
trial seams are achieved.
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 39 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
Air pressure testing shall be performed on double fusion seams only, and shall be
performed as follows:
a. Pressurize the seam to between 25 and 30 psi, allow two minutes for
pressure to stabilize, and sustain the pressure for not less than 5 minutes.
b. If loss of pressure exceeds 4 psi, or if the pressure does not stabilize, then
locate faulty area and repair.
c. Cut opposite end of air channel from pressure gauge and observe release of
pressure to ensure that the entire channel is not blocked.
d. Remove needle, or other approved pressure feed device, and repair the
puncture.
The CQA Consultant will obtain destructive testing of field seams on samples
collected from selected locations to evaluate seam strength and integrity according to
the requirements for seam strength presented in Table 8. Destructive testing shall be
carried out as the geomembrane installation progresses, not at the completion of all field
seaming.
Field seam samples shall be collected for destructive testing at a minimum average
frequency of one test location per 500 ft. of seam length. Test locations shall be
determined during seaming, and may be prompted by suspicion of excess
contamination, offset seams, or any other potential cause of imperfect seaming. The
CQA Consultant will be responsible for choosing the locations.
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 40 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
Samples of the field seams shall be cut with rounded corners by the Geosynthetics
Installer at locations designated by the Geosynthetics CQA Consultant as the seaming
progresses. Passing laboratory test results must be obtained before the field seams are
covered by another material. All holes in the geomembrane resulting from the field
seam sampling shall be immediately repaired in accordance with the repair procedures
described in Section 8.7 of this CQA Plan. The continuity of the new seams in the
repaired areas shall be nondestructively tested according to Section 8.6.2.
The CQA Consultant will obtain destructive seam samples and have them tested
as follows:
a. Two strips, 1-in. wide and 12-in. long with the seam centered parallel to
the width, shall be taken. The strips shall be spaced a clear distance of 42-
in. apart.
b. The two strip samples shall be tested using a field tensiometer for
conformance with the seam requirements in Table 8.
c. If these samples pass the field test, then a laboratory sample shall be taken.
The laboratory sample shall be at least 1-ft. wide by 42-in. long with the
seam centered lengthwise. The sample shall be cut into three parts and one
1.5-foot long portion will be sent to the CQA Consultant laboratory for
testing with the other two portions kept in reserve.
Passing destructive test results shall be achieved prior to placing any material over
geomembrane.
Should a sample fail to meet the seam strength requirements in Table 8 for a
destructive test, whether the test is conducted with the field tensiometer or by the CQA
laboratory, the Geosynthetics Installer’s laboratory, the Geosynthetics Installer shall
have two options, as below.
a. The Geosynthetics Installer can reconstruct the seam (e.g., remove the old
seam and reseam) between two passing destructive test locations. The
welding path of the seaming apparatus shall be tracked (in each direction).
b. The Geosynthetics Installer can trace the welding path to an intermediate
location, a minimum of 10 ft. from the location of the failed test (in each
direction) and take a small sample for an additional field test at each
location. If these additional samples pass the tests, then full laboratory
samples shall be taken. If these laboratory samples pass the tests, then the
seam shall be reconstructed between these locations. If either sample fails,
then the process shall be repeated to establish the zone in which the seam
should be reconstructed. In any case, all acceptable seams must be bounded
by two locations from which samples passing laboratory destructive tests
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 41 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
have been taken. In cases where the length of reconstructed seam exceeds
250 ft., a destructive sample taken from within the reconstructed zone must
pass destructive testing.
All seams and non-seam areas of the geomembrane will be examined by the CQA
Consultant for evidence of defects, holes, blisters, and any sign of contamination by
foreign matter. The surface of the geomembrane shall be clean at the time of
examination. The geomembrane surface shall be swept or washed by the Geosynthetics
Installer if surface contamination inhibits examination.
Each suspect location, both in seam and non-seam areas, shall be nondestructively
tested using the methods described Section 8.6.2 as appropriate. Each location that fails
nondestructive testing shall be marked by the CQA Consultant and repaired by the
Geosynthetics Installer. Work shall not proceed with any materials that will cover the
defective area until the suspect location is repaired and passing nondestructive test are
obtained.
Each repair shall be numbered and logged by the CQA Consultant and shall be
nondestructively tested using the methods described in this CQA Plan. Repairs that
pass the nondestructive test shall be taken as an indication of an adequate repair. Failed
tests will require the repair to be redone and retested until a passing test result is
achieved. At the discretion of the CQA Consultant, destructive testing may be required
on large caps.
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 42 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
In heavily trafficked areas such as access ramps, and in areas trafficked by rubber
tire vehicles, the thickness of overlying compacted soil shall be at least 3 ft. Placement
of soils above the geomembrane will not proceed at an ambient temperature below 32F
nor above 104F unless approved by Engineer.
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 43 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
10. GEOTEXTILE
10.1 Overview
This section of the CQA Plan addresses the CQA program to be implemented with
regard to the installation of the geotextile. The geotextile will be installed by the
specialty Geosynthetics Installer, under direct contract with the Contractor.
Conformance samples will be taken by the CQA Consultant across the entire width
of the roll and will not include the first 3 ft. of material. Unless otherwise specified,
samples will be 3-ft. long by the roll width. The CQA Consultant will mark the
machine direction on the samples with an arrow and affix a label, tag, or otherwise
mark each sample with the following information:
date sampled;
project number;
lot/batch number and roll number;
conformance sample number; and
CQA Consultant personnel identification.
All conformance test results will be reviewed by the CQA Consultant before
installation of the geotextile. Any nonconformance of the material’s physical properties
will be promptly reported to the Contractor and/or Geosynthetic Installer. The
following procedure will apply whenever a geotextile sample fails a conformance test
performed by the CQA Consultant.
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 44 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
During conformance testing, the CQA Consultant will also verify that the
Geotextile Manufacturer has identified all rolls of geotextile with the following
information:
name of manufacturer;
product identification;
lot number;
batch number;
roll number; and
roll dimensions.
The CQA Consultant will record all of the above information for each roll
delivered to the Site using a Material Inventory Log form for the geotextile.
Any holes or tears in the geotextile shall be repaired using a patch made from the
same geotextile. Geotextile patches will be sewn into place no closer than 1 in. from
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 45 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
any panel edge. Should any tear exceed 50 percent of the width of the roll, that roll
shall be removed and replaced.
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 46 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
The CQA Consultant will verify that the Contractor places all soil and aggregate
materials on top of the geotextile such that:
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 47 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
11.1 Overview
This section of the CQA Plan addresses the CQA program to be implemented with
regard to the geosynthetic clay liner (GCL). The GCL will be installed by the specialty
Geosynthetics Installer under direct contract with the Contractor.
Conformance samples will be taken by the CQA Consultant across the entire width
of the roll and will not include the first 3 ft. along the length of the roll. Unless
otherwise specified, samples will be 3-ft. long by the full roll width. The CQA
Consultant will mark the machine direction on the samples with an arrow and affix a
label, tag, or otherwise mark each sample with the following information:
date sampled;
project number;
lot/batch number and roll number;
conformance sample number; and
CQA Consultant personnel identification.
The Geosynthetic Installer will be required to replace all of the rolls of GCL
within the batch from which the sample that is not in conformance with the
specifications was obtained.
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 48 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
During conformance testing, the CQA Consultant will also verify that the GCL
manufacturer has identified all rolls of GCL with the following information:
name of manufacturer;
product identification;
lot number;
batch number;
roll number; and
roll dimensions.
The CQA Consultant will record all of the above information for each roll
delivered to the Site using a Material Inventory Log form for the GCL.
On slopes steeper than 10 horizontal to 1 vertical, GCL and vapor barrier shall be
continuous down the slope; that is, no horizontal seams shall be allowed on the slope,
unless otherwise approved by Engineer. At a minimum, adjoining GCL panels shall be
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 49 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
overlapped 12 in. along the length and width of the panel. The overlaps shall not be
nailed or stapled to the subgrade.
Any holes or tears in the GCL shall be repaired by placing a GCL patch over the
hole. The patch shall overlap the edges of the hole or tear by 2 ft. in all directions. The
patch shall be secured with a water-based adhesive approved by the GCL Manufacturer.
The CQA Consultant will observe rolls upon delivery and monitor that the GCL
rolls shipped and stored in opaque and watertight wrappings in a location that sheds
precipitation and is protected inundation. The CQA Consultant will monitor that GCL
rolls are handled using a spreader bar, “stinger” bar, or straps provided by the GCL
Manufacturer.
During installation, the CQA Consultant will verify compliance including but not
be limited to:
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 50 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
no more GCL is deployed during each day than can be covered by the end of
the day with seamed geomembrane; and
the geomembrane extends at least 2 ft. beyond the underlying GCL, and the
leading edge of the geomembrane has adequately ballast to avoid wind uplift
and reduce the likelihood of surface water running under the geomembrane and
hydrating the GCL.
The CQA Consultant will verify that the GCL panels are overlapped as required in
Section 10.3. The CQA Consultant will also confirm that the Engineer is made aware
of any end-to-end GCL seams on slopes, and that any special overlapping or connecting
methods required by the Engineer are implemented by the Geosynthetic Installer.
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 51 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
12. GEOCOMPOSITE
12.1 Overview
This section of the CQA Plan addresses the CQA program to be implemented with
regard to the geocomposite component of the liner system or final cover system. The
geocomposite will be installed by the specialty Geosynthetics Installer, under direct
contract with the Contractor.
Conformance samples will be taken by the CQA Consultant across the entire width
of the roll and will not include the first 3 ft along the length of the roll. Unless
otherwise specified, samples will be 3-ft long by the full roll width. The CQA
Consultant will mark the machine direction on the samples with an arrow and affix a
label, tag, or otherwise mark each sample with the following information:
date sampled;
project number;
lot/batch number and roll number;
conformance sample number; and
CQA Consultant personnel identification.
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 52 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
name of manufacturer;
product identification;
lot number;
batch number;
roll number; and
roll dimensions.
The CQA Consultant will record all of the above information for each roll
delivered to the Site using a Material Inventory Log form for the geocomposite.
The CQA Consultant will observe rolls upon delivery and monitor that the GCL
rolls shipped and stored in opaque and watertight wrappings in a location that sheds
precipitation and is protected inundation.
During field deployment, the CQA Consultant will verify compliance with the
following:
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 53 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
The core geonet shall be secured by tying with plastic fasteners, or polymer braid.
Tying devices shall be white or yellow for easy inspection. Metallic devices shall not
be used. Tying shall be every 5 feet along the slope, and every 2 feet on end-to-end
seams.
The top layers of overlapped geotextiles shall be continuously sewn (i.e., spot
sewing or thermal bonding is only allowed for repairs) using Stitch Type 401 and a flat
or single “prayer” seam (Federal Seam Type SSa), with the stitching a minimum of 1.5
in. from the edge of the geotextile. Stitching shall have an average of greater than 5
stitches per inch. Where indicated on the drawings, in high stress locations a “J’ type
seam will be required (Federal Seam Type SSn). Polymeric thread, with chemical
resistance properties equal to or exceeding those of the geotextile component, shall be
used for all sewing.
The CQA Consultant will verify that any holes or tears in the geocomposite are
repaired.
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 54 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
If the geonet is undamaged but the geotextile is damaged, then the CQA
Consultant shall observe the following repair the damaged area is completed:
Any holes or tears in the geocomposite material that extend more than 50 percent
of the width of the roll, then the entire damaged panel shall be removed and replaced.
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 55 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
13.1 Overview
This section of the CQA Plan addresses the CQA program to be implemented with
regard to installation of HDPE pipe and fittings for the leachate collection and
transmissions systems. Items in this section include the HDPE pipe, fittings, and
associated accessories.
Material conformance testing of the HDPE pipes will not be required unless
aspects of the prequalifying information are deficient or suspect, or if requested by the
Engineer. If deemed necessary by the Project Manager, the Contractor will remove a
minimum 3-ft long section of pipe and deliver it to the Geosynthetics CQA Laboratory
for testing to evaluate whether the pipe meets the required properties of the Technical
Specifications. The conformance test requirements will be determined at that time by
the CCSWA Project Manager and/or Engineer.
The CQA Consultant will verify that the HDPE pipe and fittings are stored on
clean level ground, free of conditions which could damage the pipe; and where
necessary (e.g., due to muddy or sloping ground conditions) the pipe is stored on
wooden sleepers, spaced suitably and of such width as not to allow deformation of the
pipe at the point of contact with the sleeper or between supports.
During construction, the CQA Consultant will verify compliance with the
following:
the perforated pipe has the proper amount, correct size, and spacing of
perforations, and that the perforations are oriented properly after the pipe is
installed;
handling of the pipe is conducted in such a manner that the pipe is not
damaged;
ropes, fabric, or rubber-protected slings and straps are used when handling
pipe;
pipe or fittings are not dropped onto rocky or unprepared ground or into
trenches or dragged over sharp objects;
the subgrade surface is firm and free of debris;
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 56 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
crushed aggregate for the leachate collection and transmission systems are
carefully placed under and around the pipe in accordance with the Drawings
and Technical Specifications;
pipe segments are not brought into position until preceding lengths have been
bedded and secured in its final position;
pipe sections are properly joined using procedures recommended by the
Manufacturer and/or allowed for in the Technical Specifications;
joints are stable and in secure condition prior to and after backfilling;
blocking is not used under the pipe unless pre-approved by the Engineer; and
placement of backfill over the pipe is conducted in lifts meeting the
requirements of the CQA Plan, and in a manner that will not damage the pipe.
The CQA Consultant will verify that the Contractor has performed the applicable
hydrostatic or low-pressure air testing of the solid HDPE pipes during installation. The
CQA Consultant will monitor the Contractor’s activities associate with all testing
activities and will confirm that the Contractor follows the procedures required in the
specifications. The CQA Consultant will either record the test results or will observe
the Contractor recording the results and review the results upon submittal by the
Contractor.
The Contractor will correct the deficiency to the satisfaction of the CCSWA
Project Manager and Engineer. All retests or subsequent re-evaluations recommended
must verify that the deficiency has been corrected before any additional work is
performed by the Contractor in the area of the deficiency.
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 57 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
14.1 Overview
This section of the CQA Plan addresses the CQA program to be implemented with
regard to installation of mechanical and electrical systems for the Project.
The CQA Consultant will verify that the mechanical and electrical systems are
installed in accordance with the Drawings and Technical Specifications, and to the
satisfaction of the Project Manager and Engineer.
The CQA Consultant will verify that the Contractor has performed the applicable
performance and startup tests for the electrical and mechanical systems in accordance to
the Drawings and Technical Specifications. The CQA Consultant will either record the
test results or will observe the Contractor recording the results and review the results
upon submittal by the Contractor.
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 58 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
TABLE 1
REQUIRED STRUCTURAL FILL PROPERTIES
SPECIFIED VALUES
REINFORCED TEST
PROPERTIES QUALIFIERS UNITS OTHER
ZONE- MSE METHOD
FILL
BERM FILL
GW, GP,
USCS GW, GM, GP, GM, GC, ASTM
-- --
Classification SW, SP, SM SW, SP, SM, D2487
SC, CL, CH
ASTM
Particle size Maximum in 2 4
D422
ASTM
Atterberg Limits Maximum PI 10 30
D4318
ASTM
Organic Content Maximum percent 5
D2974
SPECIFIED TEST
PROPERTIES QUALIFIERS UNITS
VALUES METHOD
GC, GM, SC,
USCS Classification -- -- ASTM D2487
CL, CH, ML
Particle size Maximum inch 1 ASTM D422
Atterberg Limits Maximum PI 30 ASTM D4318
Hydraulic
Maximum cm/sec 1 x 10-5 ASTM D5084
Conductivity(1)
Organic Content Maximum percent 5 ASTM D2974
(1) Testing performed on in-situ (Shelby tube) samples. The test shall be run at an effective
confining stress of 1,500 psf.
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 59 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
TABLE 1 (continued)
SPECIFIED TEST
PROPERTIES QUALIFIERS UNITS
VALUES METHOD
SW, SP, SM,
USCS Classification -- -- ASTM D2487
SC, ML
Particle size Maximum inch 1 ASTM D422
40 percent passing
Minimum percent US No. 4 sieve
pH Range -- 5.8 to 7.2
Organic Content Maximum percent 8 ASTM D2974
SPECIFIED TEST
PROPERTIES QUALIFIERS UNITS
VALUES METHOD
Sandy loam,
USDA Classification -- -- --
silt loam, loam
Particle size Maximum Inch 1 ASTM D422
75 percent passing
Minimum percent US No. 4 sieve
60 percent passing
Minimum percent US No. 10 sieve
pH Range -- 6.0 to 7.2
Soluble salts Maximum Ppm 500
Organic Content Range percent 5 to 8 ASTM D2974
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 60 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
TABLE 2
MINIMUM TESTING FREQUENCIES
FOR LABORATORY SOIL EVALUATION(1)
Notes:
1. Tests to be performed by CQA Consultant on samples of bulk soil samples
collected from soil to be placed. These tests will be performed in addition to
pre-qualification testing.
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 61 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
TABLE 3
MINIMUM FIELD CQA TESTING FREQUENCIES FOR SOILS
Notes:
1. If field oven moisture tests indicate that a moisture correction is required for
nuclear gauge testing, field oven moisture content shall be performed at a
minimum frequency of one test per week when soils requiring moisture
correction are being placed.
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 62 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
TABLE 4
REQUIRED GEOGRID PROPERTY VALUES(1)
SPECIFIED TEST
PROPERTIES QUALIFIERS UNITS
VALUES METHOD
Facing Geogrid (Biaxial)
Ultimate Tensile Strength Minimum Lb/ft2 1,300 ASTM D 6637
Long-Term Allowable Tensile
Minimum Lb/ft2 500 See Note 2
Strength
Interface Friction Angle(3) Minimum Degrees 24 ASTM D 5321
Minimum after 500
Ultra-violet Light Stability Percent 98 ASTM D 4355
hrs exposure
Structural Geogrid I (Uniaxial)
Ultimate Tensile Strength Minimum Lb/ft2 9,000 ASTM D 6637
Long-Term Allowable Tensile 2
Minimum Lb/ft 3,400 See Note 2
Strength(2)
Interface Friction Angle (3) Minimum Degrees 24 ASTM D 5321
Structural Geogrid II (Uniaxial)
Ultimate Tensile Strength Minimum Lb/ft2 7,000 ASTM D 6637
Long-Term Allowable Tensile
Minimum Lb/ft2 2,200 See Note 2
Strength(3)
Interface Friction Angle(3) Minimum Degrees 24 ASTM D 5321
Notes:
1. All values represent minimum average roll values (i.e., any roll in a lot should meet or exceed these
values).
2. The minimum long-term allowable tensile strength (TA) of geogrid shall consider the long-term creep and
environmental degradation characteristics of installed geogrid and is defined as follows:
TULT = Ultimate (or yield tensile strength) from wide width tensile strength tests (ASTM D 6637) based on a
minimum average roll value for the product.
RFD = Durability factor dependent upon the susceptibility of the geogrid to attack by chemicals,
microorganisms, thermal oxidation, hydrolysis, and stress cracking. RFD shall be set at 1.1.
RFID = Installation damage factor dependent upon the fill gradation, mass per unit weight and placement
techniques. RFD shall be set at 1.1.
RFCR = Creep reduction factor is the ration of the ultimate strength (TULT) of the geogrid to the creep limit
strength obtained from laboratory creep tests performed by the Geogrid Manufacturer for each product. RFCR
shall be established by creep test data supplied by the Geogrid Manufacturer.
3. Specimens shall be compacted to 95 percent of maximum dry density as determined by standard proctor testing.
The soil/geogrid interface shall be wetted and testing performed at normal stresses of 2,000lb/ft2, 4,000 lb/ft2 and
9,000 lb/ft2.
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 63 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
TABLE 5
TEST
PROPERTIES QUALIFIERS UNITS VALUE
METHOD
Polymer Composition
(polypropylene or Minimum Percent 95 ---
polyester)
Needle-punched,
Construction Type --- --- ---
Non-woven
2
Mass Per Unit Area Minimum oz/yd 8 10 16 ASTM D 5261
Apparent Opening Size Maximum US Sieve O95 ≥ 80 ASTM D 4751
Grab Strength Minimum lb. 200 240 380 ASTM D 4632
Tear Strength Minimum lb. 80 90 140 ASTM D 4533
Puncture Strength Minimum lb. 110 155 230 ASTM D 4833
UV Resistance at 500
Minimum Percent 70 ASTM D 4355
hrs
Note:
1. All values represent minimum average roll values (i.e., any roll in a lot should meet or
exceed these values).
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 64 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
TABLE 6
REQUIRED GCL PROPERTY VALUES(1)
SPECIFIED TEST
PROPERTIES QUALIFIERS UNITS
VALUES METHOD
GCL Properties:
Bentonite Content(2) Minimum lb/ft2 0.75 ASTM D 5993
(3) 3 2 -8
Hydraulic Flux Minimum m /m -sec 1 x 10 ASTM D 5887
Bentonite Swell Loss Minimum mL/2 g min 24 ASTM D 5890
Bentonite Fluid Loss Maximum mL 18 ASTM D 5891
Moisture Content (Bentonite) Maximum Percent 15 ASTM D 4643
(4) 2
Internal Shear Strength Minimum lb/ft 400 ASTM D6243
Interface Friction Angle
(between GCL and underlying Minimum Degrees 16 ASTM D 5321
soil)
Notes:
1. All values represent minimum average roll values (i.e., any roll in a lot should meet or exceed
these values).
2. The sodium bentonite component shall be applied at an average concentration of 0.75 lb/ft2 when
measured at a water content of zero percent.
3. Hydraulic flux the GCL shall be measured under an effective confining stress of 5 lb/in2.
4. Testing performed after hydrating the GCL for 24 hours under a normal pressure of 200 lb/ft2.
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 65 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
TABLE 7
SPECIFIED
PROPERTIES QUALIFIERS UNITS TEST METHOD
VALUES
nominal Mils 60 40 ASTM D 5994
minimum
Mils 57 38 ASTM D 5994
average
Thickness lowest for 8 out
Mils 54 36 ASTM D 5994
of 10 values
Lowest for any
Mils 51 34 ASTM D 5994
of the 10 values
minimum
Asperity Height Mils 10 GRI GM 12
average
ASTM D 792 or
Density minimum g/cc 0.940
ASTM D 1505
Tensile Properties
(each direction)
1. Yield Strength minimum Lb/in. 132 84 ASTM D 6693
2. Break Strength minimum Lb/in. 90 60 ASTM D 6693
3. Yield Elongation minimum % 12 ASTM D 6693
4. Break Elongation minimum % 100 ASTM D 6693
Notes:
1. All values represent minimum average roll values (i.e., any roll in a lot should meet or exceed these
values).
2. Carbon black dispersion (only near spherical agglomerates) for 10 different views:
minimum 9 in Categories 1 or 2; and
maximum 1 in Category 3.
3. See continuation of Table 7 for interface friction property requirements.
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 66 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
TABLE 7
SPECIFIED
PROPERTIES QUALIFIERS UNITS TEST METHOD
VALUES
Geomembrane Thickness Mils 60 40
Subbase-geomembrane Degrees 25 24
Interface Friction – Low minimum
Normal Stress Adhesion (psf) 25 0
Subbase-geomembrane Degrees 16
Interface Friction – High minimum na
Normal Stress Adhesion (psf) 0
Geomembrane-GCL Degrees 30
Interface Friction – Low minimum na
Normal Stress (see Note 2) Adhesion (psf) 0
Geomembrane-GCL Degrees 16 ASTM D 5321
Interface Friction – High minimum na See Notes 3 and 4
Normal Stress Adhesion (psf) 0
Geomembrane-
Degrees 32 24
Geocomposite or Geotextile
minimum
Interface Friction – Low
Adhesion (psf) 0 0
Normal Stress
Geomembrane-
Degrees 32
Geocomposite or Geotextile
minimum na
Interface Friction – High
Adhesion (psf) 0
Normal Stress
Notes:
3. Interface friction testing shall be performed between each layer of the bottom liner or final cover cross section
using the proposed liner system materials (i.e., low permeability soil, geomembrane, geocomposite, GCL,
geomembrane, geotextile and protective cover). Test specimens with soils shall be compacted to 95 percent of
maximum dry density and within two percent of the optimum moisture content as determined by the standard
Proctor compaction test (ASTM D 698). Soil/geosynthetic interfaces shall be wetted and the test specimen shall
be saturated for 24 hours prior to testing. Base liner testing shall be performed at two sets normal stresses: 150
lb/ft2, 300 lb/ft2, 500 lb/ft2 and 1,500 lb/ft2, 3,500 lb/ft2, and 7,000 lb/ft2. Closure cap testing will be performed
at normal stresses of: 100 lb/ft2, 200 lb/ft2, and 400 lb/ft2.
4. Under normal pressure of 150 lb/ft2, 300 lb/ft2, 500 lb/ft2, GCL used can be non-hydrated. Under normal
pressures of 1,500, 3,500 and 7,000 lb/ft2, the GCL shall be fully- hydrated.
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 67 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
TABLE 8
SPECIFIED TEST
PROPERTIES QUALIFIERS UNITS
VALUES METHOD
Gauge Nominal Mils 60 ASTM D5994
Shear Strength(1) Minimum lb/in 108 ASTM D6392
At yield point
Peel Adhesion Minimum lb/in 90 ASTM D6392
FTB(2) Fusion
Peel Adhesion Minimum lb/in 78 ASTM D6392
FTB(2) Extrusion
Notes:
1. Also called “Bonded Seam Strength.”
2. In addition to the minimum passing values, passing seams shall not separate more that 10
percent of the width into the weld and shall exhibit the following location of breaks:
Fusion Welded Seams – BRK, SE1, SE2, and AD-BRK
Extrusion Welded Seams – SE1, SE2, SE3, BRK1, and BRK2
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 68 12.08.31
Form 24, Part VI, Area E PMA
Lanchester Landfill
Construction Quality Assurance Plan
TABLE 9
GEOCOMPOSITE PROPERTY VALUES(1)
ME0584/MD10741_Appendix B 69 12.08.31