Method, waterproof liner and waterproof panels for installation in basins and canals

A method, a waterproof liner and waterproof panels for installations in basins and canals both dry and with stationary and flowing water. The liner consists of a plurality of prefabricated panels (14.1; 14.2) comprising at least one flexible waterproof membrane (16.1; 16.2), made of geosynthetic material, provided with side anchor bands (23) for anchoring to the ground and with side sealing flaps (26); the panels (14.1; 14.2) that are rolled up into rolls are sequentially unrolled and extended by fixing provisionally along at least one anchor band (23), by joining simultaneously the flaps (26) of adjoining panels (14.1; 14.2) by means of an intermediate zip fastener (28). Subsequently, the individual panels (14.1; 14.2) are firmly anchored by friction to the bottom and/or to the banks of the basin or canal, by means of a permanent ballast. According to a first solution, the panels (14.1; 14.2) comprise superimposed waterproof membranes (16, 17) made of geosynthetic material, and are configured with filling chambers or cells (18) into which a ballast cementitious mixture is injected; in a second solution each panel (14) consisting of a single flexible membrane (16) made of geosynthetic material, permanently ballasted by prefabricated blocks of concrete; in a third solution the panels (14A) comprises a first waterproof membrane (16) and a second waterproof membrane folded in a tubular shape and welded to the first watertight membrane (16). The individual panels (14.1; 14.2) can be removed and replaced by operating underwater, restoring the seal between panels (14.1; 14.2) of the entire waterproof liner. This solution enables the various panels to be sealingly connected directly during laying underwater, so as to reduce significantly the time and cost of laying the entire liner, also permitting close control of the quality of the work and a high degree of waterproof.