U.S. geosynthetics demand to reach 870 million yards2 by 2010
April 1st, 2007
Geosynthetics demand is projected to increase 4.4% per year through 2010 to 870 million yards2. Geosynthetics include geotextiles, geomembranes, geonets, geogrids, geosynthetic clay liners, preformed geocomposites, geocells, and geofoams. Advances will be fueled by a recovery in nonbuilding construction. Additionally, geosynthetics will continue to increase their use in a wider range of applications, such as […]
Commentary RE #1: article on structured geomembranes
April 1st, 2007
To the editor: The February/March 2007 issue of Geosynthetics contains an article on the use of structured geomembranes in landfill final closure designs. The article contains many positive statements regarding polyethylene geomembranes with structured surfaces that are manufactured by the flat-die method. The article discusses many fine products, as well as attributes of those products […]
IECA rolls into Reno
April 1st, 2007
Environmental Connection—EC-’07—filled the halls of the Reno-Sparks Convention Center Feb. 12-16. The event featured full-day training courses addressing topics such as wind erosion, construction site management, and NPDES regulations and compliance. PHDs and CEUs were available for participants. More than 50 case studies and technical papers providing original research and proven techniques were also presented. […]
Geosynthetics-2007 is a hit in D.C.
April 1st, 2007
After more than 1,000 participants and 76 exhibits, more than 60 papers and presentations, 9 short courses, 4 special sessions, 3 keynotes, and 2 panels—after all that in just 4 days, the Geosynthetics-2007 Conference and Trade Show came to a close in Washington, D.C. The Jan. 16-19 event marked an enthusiastic high point on the […]
Geomembrane raincoat liners in the mining heap leach industry
April 1st, 2007
By Allan J. Breitenbach and Mark E. Smith Introduction Raincoat liner (RCL) terminology is used in the mining heap leach industry in reference to a temporary exposed geomembrane cover (EGC) that minimizes rain stormwater infiltration into the ore heap fill and diverts cover surface storm runoff to the natural drainages (see Thiel and Smith, 2004, […]
Geocell, grid, and reinforced-soil in restoring eroded steep slopes
April 1st, 2007
By Stan Boyle and Kathy Robertson Abstract In October 2003, stormwater overflows from an intense, short-duration storm eroded approximately 20,000 yds.3 of soil from the bottom and side slopes of a ravine between the Tacoma Narrows Bridge and a subdivision near Tacoma, Wash. The erosion ruptured two storm drains and left undermined slopes that continued […]
Multiple-tiered retaining walls
April 1st, 2007
The Norris Canyon Estates in San Ramon, Calif., east of San Francisco, are gaining a local presence not merely for luxury homes but also for the nearly half-million ft.2 of multiple-tiered retaining walls built throughout its challenging terrain. A location with 1:1 slope ratios and expansive clay soils required a major transformation to make the […]
Historic Fort Sheridan implements innovative ‘best-practices’ stormwater and landscape plan
April 1st, 2007
Five years ago, a housing develoment company needed to prepare a stormwater management plan and design best management practices (BMP) for stormwater management at historic Fort Sheridan. The military base, situated on bluffs overlooking the shores of Lake Michigan in the northern Chicago suburb of Highland Park, was in the midst of transformation from a […]
A conservative junction-strength requirement
April 1st, 2007
To the editor: Thank you for the article “Junction-strength requirements for roadway design, construction” (Geosynthetics, February/March, 2007), defining and categorizing the use of junction strength as a specifying property for geogrid reinforcements. The excellent summary of performance requirements for geogrids that junction strength might assess, along with industry’s and research attempts to quantify those requirements, […]
Further clarifications on GRS construction
April 1st, 2007
To the editor: Thank you for your response to my concern about a photo in Geosynthetics magazine, February-March 2007. While including a photo of the Bowman Road Bridge in the article, “Junction strength requirement for roadway design construction” was done [solely] for aesthetic purposes and not meant to mislead the reader, it has, in fact, […]