Geomembranes represent the other largest group of geosynthetics and in dollar volume their sales are probably larger than that of geotextiles. Their growth has been stimulated by governmental regulations originally enacted in 1982. The materials themselves are "impervious" thin sheets of rubber or plastic material used primarily for linings and covers of liquid- or solid-storage facilities. Thus the primary function is always as a liquid or vapor barrier. The range of applications, however, is very great, and at least 30 individual applications in civil engineering have been developed.