Cohesion (or adhesion) and friction angle in direct shear tests
April 1st, 2009
A technical note regarding interpretation of cohesion (or adhesion) and friction angle in direct shear tests By Richard Thiel Introduction Direct shear testing with geosynthetics is generally performed in accordance with ASTM D5321, Standard Test Method for Determining the Coefficient of Soil to Geosynthetic or Geosynthetic to Geosynthetic Friction by the Direct Shear Method. There […]
Seattle Seahawks football complex features 8-layer “sandwich”
April 1st, 2009
The ‘sandwich’ includes liner, grids and textiles. Compiled and edited by Ron Bygness Among the hundreds of projects judged at the national competition for the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) in Washington, D.C., in April was an athletic compound in Washington state featuring several geosynthetic components. The engineering involved brownfield remediation, as well as […]
Project helps open Pennsylvania freeway
April 1st, 2009
Design/build pyrite remediation project using geosynthetics. By Archie Filshill Introduction The Pennsylvania DOT’s Interstate-99/S.R. 6220 project extends from the village of Bald Eagle to the Mount Nittany Expressway (U.S. 322) in Centre County, just west of State College. The project involved the construction of a four-lane, limited-access highway with four interchanges and approximately 18 miles […]
Finland mine features bituminous geomembrane liner
April 1st, 2009
The liner is at the Kittilä Gold Mine in northern Finland. By Bertrand Breul, Mikko Huru, Anton Palolahti Abstract This article will describe the mine in general, including the opening date and the years of operations, and the purpose and construction of ponds to retain pollution. The structure of the bituminous geomembrane (BGM) is more […]
Prefabricated bituminous geomembrane: A candidate for exposed geomembrane caps
April 1st, 2009
By Ian Peggs Landfill caps prevent incident precipitation from becoming leachate that has to be treated, contain landfill gas that can be used to generate electricity, and prevent odors that annoy neighbors. Typically, geomembrane caps are covered with soil and vegetation for appearance and for the construction of parkland and recreational facilities. However, exposed geomembrane […]
Geotextiles in levees (Part 1 of 2)
April 1st, 2009
History, performance, and design of geotextiles in levees: A report from New Orleans By Jody Dendurent and Mark Woodward Abstract Geotextiles are a key element in building levees that will survive catastrophic storms. The geotextile-reinforced earthen levees in New Orleans performed remarkably well during Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. With the current focus on updating […]
Geosynthetics 2009 conference is a big hit
April 1st, 2009
With a total of 820 participants, 86 exhibiting companies, 76 papers presented at 22 technical sessions, five short courses, two special sessions, and three impressive keynote addresses, the Geosynthetics 2009 conference and trade show Feb. 25–27 in Salt Lake City was another hit in a series of geosynthetics conferences presented by the Industrial Fabrics Association […]
Commentary on Wikipedia®
April 1st, 2009
By Bob Koerner While recently researching various additives used with soil-filled geotextile tubes, I was unsure about subtle differences between flocculation, coagulation, and agglomeration. By simply searching these words on Wikipedia, my indecisions were immediately clarified. I thought to myself, this is a wonderful service! It turns out that others think so as well, since […]
GSI calls for requests-for-proposals
April 1st, 2009
By Jamie R. Koerner, The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) has announced a worldwide call for requests-for-proposals (RFPs) focusing on innovative geosynthetics research and development projects. This will be Class No. 2 for this award, the first presented in 2008. There are multiple awards, each for $10,000 per year, and they are renewable pending an annual written […]
Giroud elected to National Academy of Engineering
April 1st, 2009
Jean-Pierre Giroud has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), one of the highest professional distinctions given to an engineer. His election citation reads: “For pioneering research in geosynthetics engineering and its practical application in civil/geotechnical engineering.” J. P. Giroud, chairman emeritus of Geosyntec Consultants, was among 65 newly elected members into the […]