Method and apparatus for improving heat stability in temperature-sensitive geotechnical applications

Abstract

A geotechnical application including a geotechnical site having a process area sensitive to temperature. A geosynthetic sheet covers the site process area, wherein the geosynthetic sheet includes an ultraviolet (UV) light stabilizer, is substantially impervious to water, and is at least translucent to light. The geosynthetic sheet prevents heat loss to the air which helps to elevate and/or maintain the temperature of the process area.

1 . A geotechnical application, comprising:
 a site having a process area, wherein said process area is temperature sensitive;   a geosynthetic sheet covering said site process area, said geosynthetic sheet including a ultraviolet (UV) light stabilizer and thermal stabilizer and being substantially impervious to water, and   at least translucent to light.   
     
     
         2 . The geotechnical application of  claim 1 , wherein said sheet is linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE). 
     
     
         3 . The geotechnical application of  claim 1 , wherein said sheet one or more of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), thermoplastic olefins (TPO), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and coextrusions thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The geotechnical application of  claim 1 , wherein said sheet reduces heat loss to air at the site. 
     
     
         5 . The geotechnical application of  claim 1 , wherein said sheet is sufficiently translucent to allow visual inspection of underlying materials in said process site through said sheet. 
     
     
         6 . The geotechnical application of  claim 5 , wherein said sheet is substantially transparent. 
     
     
         7 . The geotechnical application of  claim 1 , wherein said UV light stabilizer includes a hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS) formulated to resist extraction/destruction by chemicals used in the geotechnical site process area. 
     
     
         8 . A geosynthetic sheet for covering a geotechnical site having a temperature sensitive process area, said sheet including a ultraviolet (UV) light stabilizer and being
 substantially impervious to water, and   at least translucent to light.   
     
     
         9 . The geosynthetic sheet of  claim 8 , wherein said sheet is linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE). 
     
     
         10 . The geosynthetic sheet of  claim 8 , wherein said sheet one or more of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM), thermoplastic olefins (TPC), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and coextrusions thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The geosynthetic sheet of  claim 8 , wherein said sheet reduces heat loss to air at the site. 
     
     
         12 . The geosynthetic sheet of  claim 8 , wherein said sheet is sufficiently translucent to allow visual inspection through said sheet of underlying materials. 
     
     
         13 . The geosynthetic sheet of  claim 12 , wherein said sheet is substantially transparent. 
     
     
         14 . The geosynthetic sheet of  claim 8 , wherein said UV light stabilizer includes a hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS) formulated to resist extraction/destruction by chemicals used in a covered geotechnical site process area. 
     
     
         15 . The geosynthetic sheet of  claim 8 , wherein said sheet further includes a thermal stabilizer.