Composite Lining & Leak Detection, Supply & Installation – Danielskuil Reservoir, South Africa — Case Study

Case Study Brief

The Danielskuil reservoir required a composite lining system within a structure containing 37 pillars and restricted access through a 1 m × 1 m opening. The scope brought together material supply, installation and quality checks. The system combined GeoDrain LD500, a conductive Durafoil layer and 1.5 mm EVA geomembrane. These components served distinct drainage, electrical-survey and containment functions within the approved assembly. A team of five welders supported by ten local workers installed and detailed the lining around the pillars and other interfaces. Access restrictions required coordinated material handling and careful sequencing inside the reservoir. Seam inspection and electrical leak detection supported the completion checks. A survey result applies to the liner condition and test conditions at the time of inspection; it does not establish a permanent zero-leakage guarantee.

The Installation Challenge

Restricted access through a 1 m × 1 m opening and 37 internal pillars complicated material handling, panel placement and sealing. The GeoDrain LD500, conductive Durafoil layer and 1.5 mm EVA membrane needed coordinated detailing within the reservoir.

Installation was sequenced around the access constraints and pillar interfaces. The drainage, conductive and containment layers were placed as the specified assembly, with welded EVA details and an electrical leak-detection survey supporting completion checks.

Installation Sequence

Prepare the reservoir

Review the supporting surfaces, access arrangements and pillar interfaces before introducing the lining materials.

Place the composite underlayers

Position GeoDrain LD500 and the conductive Durafoil layer in the specified assembly, maintaining continuity around the reservoir details.

Install and weld the EVA membrane

Deploy the 1.5 mm EVA panels and form seams, pillar collars and other interfaces to the project details.

Inspect, survey and hand over

Complete the applicable seam checks and electrical leak-detection survey, address identified defects and assemble the quality records.

Field Quality Assurance (QA/QC) Checklist

Quality checks recorded on this installation.

Substrate inspection and acceptance - concrete surfaces, pillar bases and wall junctions verified and signed off prior to deployment

Welding procedure validation - trial welds run and tested to establish machine settings, temperature and speed before production welding commenced

Drainage and detection layer placement - Geodrain LD500 and Durafoil continuity verified across floor and wall surfaces prior to liner deployment

Air channel pressure testing - all dual-track wedge seams tested to specified pressure and hold duration, with results logged against machine, operator and seam location

Vacuum box testing - 100% of extrusion welds, pillar details and penetrations tested and recorded

Electronic leak detection - full-system ELD survey across the completed liner, with any indications located, repaired, re-tested and closed out on the as-built drawing

Products Used in Project

Products supplied and installed on this project.

Geomembranes

EVA Geomembrane

Quantity: 2,200 m²

Drainage Composites

GeoDrain LD 500

Quantity: 2,200 m²

“In-house project comment: This reservoir required one coordinated installation around 37 pillars. The drainage, conductive layer and EVA membrane each had a distinct role, and the detailing and inspection had to follow the complete assembly.

Ivan M

Project Manager · Geosynthetics Africa — internal project team

Composite Lining & Leak Detection, Supply & Installation – Danielskuil Reservoir, South Africa — 2,200 m²