Geomembranes are impervious polymeric thin sheets which are used primarily for containment of liquids, such as in landfills and canals. Tarpaulin sheets are generally used in small-scale local projects as liner material for the containment of water, where these sheets serve as a barrier between the water body and surrounding soil for prevention of seepage loss. For the stability of the lined structure, it is critical to study the soil–geosynthetic interface parameters. In this study interface shear tests have been performed on two sands with HDPE geomembrane and locally available tarpaulin sheets. Tests have been performed at three normal stresses. It has been observed that interface behavior is not significantly influenced by the gradation of sand. While a thick geomembrane offers higher resistance against tearing due to shear, the tarpaulin sheet tears significantly on shearing as the normal stress increases. A pilot scale reservoir has been designed based on the interface shear strength parameters. The results of the present study can help understand the interface behavior of locally available tarpaulin and its suitability as liner material.