From our readers

Page 1 of 4 (57 results total)

  • Facilitating interaction between engineers and contractors

    October 1, 2011

    A reader responds to Bob Koerner's article about the Geosynthetics Institute's second Inspector Certification Program.

  • University of Illinois students participated in the annual GeoChallenge during Geo-Frontiers last March in Dallas. Photo by Mark Skalny Photography.

    Geo-Frontiers 2011: A Geo-Success!

    October 1, 2011

    North American Geosynthetics Society president, Dean Sandri, originally wrote about Geo-Frontiers 2011 for IGS News.

  • Another dam question

    August 1, 2011

    A follow-up to this question and answer came from a reader in India.

  • Photo courtesy of Cory Schneider.

    Kwig, Alaska, article is popular with readers

    August 1, 2011

    "Tales from the tundra" prompted these questions and comments.

  • Interface friction info

    April 1, 2011

    A reader asks about available interface friction information between PVC to RCSPE layers.

  • Ongoing geocell discussion

    April 1, 2011

    The following comments were submitted regarding the GMA Techline article "Geocell application," from the April 2010 Geosynthetics.

  • Protecting pipelines

    April 1, 2011

    The comment below in response to the February–March 2010 Geosynthetics article "Geotextiles are protecting pipeline."

  • Cancún on the Caribbean coast

    The raw material?

    April 1, 2011

    A reader asked about the raw material for the product mentioned in "Geotextile tubes provide hurricane protection for Cancún beach."

  • Zero cohesion

    April 1, 2011

    The question below was submitted regarding the Richard Thiel article "Cohesion (or adhesion) and friction angle in direct shear tests," from the April 2009 Geosynthetics.

  • Biogas geomembrane?

    February 1, 2011

    This question came from a reader in Thailand after he read an October/November 2009 article.

  • EuroGeo4 Proceedings?

    February 1, 2011

    A reader of "Geosynthetics: A key toward sustainability" asks a question about EuroGeo4.

  • October/November Geosynthetics

    Here is more information for two previous questions

    February 1, 2011

    There are two GMA Techline responses where additional information may be useful.

  • Liner comparisons?

    February 1, 2011

     A few more online queries arrived regarding liner materials.

  • Missing information?

    February 1, 2011

    A reader asked a follow-up question regarding specifications for a particular geogrid.

  • MSEW drainage?

    February 1, 2011

    From the Geosynthetics article: "Pipeless drainage system" (April/May 2008).

  • The U.S./Canadian Geosynthetics Market

    Sponsored by IFAI Market Research

    The use of geosynthetics—geotextiles, geomembranes, drainage composites and geogrids—is an annual growth market in the U.S./Canadian specialty fabrics industry.

    Prior to 2009, the U.S./Canadian geosynthetics market grew 5 to 6 percent per year before the economic debacle of 2009. In 2009, the use of geosynthetics declined about 5 percent in the U.S. and Canada; but growth rebounded to about 2 percent in 2010.

    Developments driving optimism in the U.S. market for geosynthetics include:

    • The U.S. EPA announcing in the spring of 2010 that it plans to regulate coal ash containment sites, requiring that all sites be fitted with liners (geomembranes); the result translates to $300-$350 million for the geosynthetic industry over the next 5-7 years
    • Improving U.S. GDP growth to 2.8 percent in 2010 after achieving an abysmal negative 2.6 percent in 2009; U.S. GDP for 2011 is projected to reach 3.3 to 3.6 percent

    Constraining growth:

    • Continued high unemployment in the U.S., which averaged 9.6 percent in 2010
    • Rising oil prices in 2010 and 2011 will continue to lead to higher prices for raw materials such as polypropylene, polyethylene, etc.
    • Local government reduced budgets that curtail funds available for geosynthetic usage in key markets like road and bridge construction

    The 2010 U.S./Canadian geosynthetics market improved moderately in terms of sales and general business conditions. The majority of geosynthetic suppliers/distributors are optimistic that 2011 will yield increased sales and an overall improvement in general business conditions.

    This information is taken from the 2011 MarketWatch Geosynthetics Snapshot. For the full report visit the IFAI bookstore: www.ifai.com/bookstore.