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Transmissivity article unnecessarily confusing
June 1st, 2008
In response to Rich Lacey’s article in the February/March 2008 issue of Geosynthetics (“Transmissivity: An ambiguous contradiction,” pp. 26–31), everything he says is correct, but I find the explanation more complicated and confusing than it needs to be for a design practitioner wishing to specify a material. The essence of this article is the difference […]
Active LFG control: An unreliable aid to veneer stability
June 1st, 2008
By Gregory N. Richardson, Stacey A. Smith, and Pieter K. Scheer Abstract The potential for sliding failure of final covers and piggyback liners in municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills equipped with active landfill gas (LFG) control systems is demonstrated and the need for a contingency passive venting system is presented. Two final cover failures illustrate […]
Case history: “Intelligent” geosynthetics
June 1st, 2008
Reinforcement and deformation monitoring of a railway embankment in France Compiled and edited by Ron Bygness Introduction This project was the first practical realization of the RAFAEL research project for the use of high-strength geosynthetics for base courses over cavities, including the first “intelligent” geosynthetic. This product combines the benefits of a high-strength geocomposite with […]
Geogrid slope reinforcement, track refurbishing for German rail lines
June 1st, 2008
Compiled and edited by Ron Bygness Hallstadt rail crossing An existing railroad crossing in the Hallstadt section of railroad track 5100, from Bamberg to Hof (Saale), had to remain open for rail traffic, but had to be replaced by an underpass for the street. An underpass for Michelin Street, under the railroad tracks, had to […]
Three challenges in using SRWs and other reinforced-soil structures: Part 3A
June 1st, 2008
By Michael R. Simac, P. E., and Blaise J. Fitzpatrick, P. E. Introduction While segmental retaining walls (SRWs) have been routinely used for more than 15 years now, there are still three challenging issues facing owners considering their use. What is the best way to procure, design, and then build these structures to minimize short-term […]
Third national paper MSE wall competition held at GeoCongress in New Orleans
June 1st, 2008
By Dave Elton Eleven university teams competed in the 2008 GeoCongress student competition March 12 in New Orleans. The Louisiana State University (LSU) Tigers took top honors, topping twotime reigning champion University of Missouri–Columbia. The Drexel University GeoDragons took second-place honors. The Drexel team was coached by the immediate past-president of the North American Geosynthetics […]
Geotextiles help create green clothing shop
June 1st, 2008
A multilevel building in Seoul uses geotextiles planted with herbaceous perennials to form the living walls and an extensive green roof system. The blend of natural and artificial, the new Ann Demeulemeester fashion retail shop in the Gangnam district of South Korea’s capital city brings green building to a new level. Located on an alley […]
Indefatigable nonwovens pioneer retires
June 1st, 2008
During his nearly 4 decades with Fleissner, Alfred Watzl exerted a decisive influence on the development of nonwovens installations. Under his direction in sales and marketing, a variety of technical textile equipment innovations was developed, built, and sold worldwide, including the Fleissner “AquaJet” components for airlaid web lines for man-made fibers. Recently retired, Watzl helped […]
Industrial parks in the Middle East to convert polymers into value-added products
June 1st, 2008
Local governments in the Middle East are showing mounting interest in converting polymers into products for export and local consumption to meet growing demand, according to several sources that monitor the plastics industry. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), a net importer of most plastics products, has been weighed down by a weakening dollar and faces […]
Celebrating a decade of GSI/GRI polyolefin specs
June 1st, 2008
By Bob Koerner From the very beginning of the GSI/ GRI consortium in 1986, it was recognized that specific focus groups were the way to initiate individual programs and documents. After a draft document is eventually established within a group, the entire membership is then brought into the activity for modification and eventual agreement. This […]