NAGS/GMA short courses update
February 1st, 2013
By L. David Suits During the past two years, the North American Geosynthetics Society (NAGS) and the Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) have worked together to sponsor several regional short courses on various areas of geosynthetics in transportation applications. These courses included one session on Geosynthetics in Walls, Slopes and Embankments held in Valley Forge, Pa., […]
A test pad guide to substantiate geosynthetic designs
February 1st, 2013
By Bob and George Koerner To construct and examine a scaled-down version of a final design to substantiate its appropriateness is often a worthwhile pursuit. One of the earliest such efforts with geosynthetics was done by Karl Terzaghi in 1958 at the Mission Dam in British Columbia, Canada. The task was to hydraulically connect an […]
Many applications for geosynthetic reinforcement
February 1st, 2013
To the editor: The August/September [2012] issue of Geosynthetics highlighted the success of geosynthetic reinforcement in traditional civil engineering applications, specifically walls, slopes, and abutments. The diversity of the markets is a testament to the continued expansion of the industry. Stream embankments, landfills, commercial and residential developments, and bridges were all featured in the articles. […]
RemTech 2012 report
February 1st, 2013
The sixth annual RemTech Remediation Technology Exhibition and Conferences was held in Ferrara, Italy, Sept. 19-21, 2012, under the auspices of various technology societies, including the International Geosynthetics Society–Italian Chapter (AGI-IGS). The RemTech Expo is an event dedicated to remediation techniques, featuring operators, manufacturers, contractors, institutions, and academics to help build workable solutions for the […]
Plastic connections
February 1st, 2013
From the GMA Techline RE: Reinforced geomembrane seams When we last spoke, I mentioned we were looking for a plastic connectlon to insert into concrete blocks. Currently, we use galvanized steel, but where sulphates are an issue we cannot do this. Can you recommend anything? (Chris | UK) Reply: First of all, the photo shows […]
Reinforced geomembrane seams
February 1st, 2013
From the GMA Techline RE: Reinforced geomembrane seams I was hoping you could give me a place to find a typical requirement for the seaming of reinforced geomembranes, specifically 60-mil reinforced thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO). When seaming a reinforced TPO geomembrane, what are typical values we can expect to meet for peel and shear? I noticed […]
Geotextile compatibility w/typical MSW landfill leachate
February 1st, 2013
From the GMA Techline RE: Geotextile compatibility w/typical MSW landfill leachate We need to respond to an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) request for additional documentation that shows geotextile and geomembrane compatibility with typical landfill leachate. The request is associated with a municipal solid waste (MSW) landfill expansion permit application in Illinois. We are able to […]
Geomembrane leakage rates
February 1st, 2013
From the GMA Techline RE: Geomembrane leakage rates I’m wondering if you can help me find an average value and range of values for geomembrane cover leakage rates (in gallons/acre/day) as it relates to waste rock stockpiles or covers for solid waste disposal. I reviewed the Geosynthetic Institute website but did not find any references […]
Floating covers
February 1st, 2013
From the GMA Techline RE: Floating covers I am looking for information on designing and installing a floating roof cover to a circular concrete reservoirs. We have completed many floating cover projects to square and rectangular (slope embankment) earth dams but we are very interested in finding information, articles, discussions, and/or books on designing and […]
Static shear strength of geosynthetic clay liners
February 1st, 2013
Part 2: Static shear strength By Chris Athanassopoulos, P.E. and Patrick Fox, Ph.D., P.E. Introduction Part 2 of our three-part series on geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) shear strength is devoted to static shear strength, which is the strength measured for relatively slow loading conditions. Internal and interface static shear tests have been conducted for a […]