This article is a review of the Upper Chiquita Reservoir project originally constructed in 2011 and today remains one of the largest and most challenging potable-water liner and geomembrane floating cover projects installed in the United States. The reservoir liner and floating cover have been in operation approaching 15 years and a 2024 project inspection confirmed the geosynthetic cover system performing very well as designed.

In February 2023, Geosynthetics magazine published a feature article titled “Innovative solution for ballast fouling.” The feature focused on the phenomenon of ballast fouling where mud from saturated soil conditions migrates up into the sub-ballast and ballast material in rail applications. The ballast fouling issue is prevalent in coastal areas where high groundwater is often present and rail lines are necessary for operations. The feature article in the February 2023 issue focused on understanding the ballast fouling problem, and highlighted a case study where ballast fouling was requiring the Port of Texas City to full-depth reconstruct a section of rail every 24 to 36 months.

In the civil engineering discipline, the challenge of constructing durable and cost-effective roadways over problematic soils is a common yet complex issue. High-plasticity clay subgrades, known for their susceptibility to moisture and subsequent weakening, pose significant hurdles. Traditional methods of soil excavation or chemical treatment can lead to increased costs and project delays. However, with the increased utilization of geogrids, particularly the TerraGrid® TXG-7, a cost-effective and reliable solution, engineers have a trusted option to keep their projects on track.

Spring 2024 brought with it the grand opening of a one-of-a kind fossil park and museum in Gloucester County, N.J. Part of Rowan University in South Jersey, the new Jean and Ric Edelman Fossil Park and Museum includes 44,000 square feet of exhibit space above a former marl quarry, featuring a world-class museum and active fossil dig site. With the highly anticipated museum, Gloucester County invested in a variety of infrastructure enhancements to improve access to the museum, including the extension of Mantua Boulevard.

EPS geofoam has emerged as a popular material in construction projects due to its lightweight and versatile nature. Used for various applications in civil engineering, this expanded polystyrene foam offers excellent insulating and structural properties. However, when exposed to hydrocarbons such as those found in oil, gasoline or other chemical substances, it can deteriorate over time. To counter this issue, reinforced EIA (ethylene interpolymer alloy) geomembranes have been employed as a protective barrier. In this article, we will delve into the use of EPS geofoam and explore methods to shield it from the damaging effects of hydrocarbons using reinforced EIA geomembranes.

How vital is landfill leachate management? Recent guidance from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the disposal of PFAS shows that leachate management is one of the core functionalities of a modern landfill—and perhaps one of its biggest selling points moving forward.