Panorama

GMA honors U.S. senator as ‘leader of the year’

The Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) honored Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D–R.I., with the GMA Leader of the Year Award during the fall Lobby Day in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 14, 2018. “I’m honored to be recognized in this way by the Geosynthetic Materials Association,” Sen. Whitehouse said, “and I’m grateful for GMA’s excellent work bringing together leaders in this industry. Rhode Island has a rich history in manufacturing, and I’m committed to growing and strengthening our businesses through bipartisan legislation like my IMAGINE Act.” The Innovative Materials for America’s Growth and Infrastructure Newly Expanded (IMAGINE) Act was introduced in the Senate last August by Sen. Whitehouse; Sen. Lamar Alexander, R–Tenn.; Sen. Mike Rounds, R–S.D.; and Sen. Cory Booker, D–N.J. The bill promotes the use of advanced infrastructure materials, including geosynthetics, in federal infrastructure projects.

Layfield launches gas barrier geomembrane

Layfield Geosynthetics announced the release of VaporFlex Premium geomembrane. VaporFlex Premium is a seven-layer coextruded geomembrane barrier with an ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) core layer. This high-performance geomembrane is specifically designed to provide an ultra-low permeability gas barrier in a broad range of geoenvironmental applications. It is also designed to provide containment for a broad range of applications. These include gas barriers, remediation of contaminated soil, brownfield barriers, odor control covers, landfill capping, geofoam wrap and leachate collection ponds.

Modeling demonstrates benefit of geogrid-reinforced aggregate base

Improved modeling of geogrid for use with the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s pavement design software, MnPAVE Flexible, will allow pavement designers to simulate field tests of stiffness and resiliency in pavements over bases with and without geogrid. The department, known as MnDOT, is using modeling results from a recent study to develop a design input that quantifies the benefits of geogrids in terms of pavement service life and aggregate thickness. “This innovative study will be especially beneficial for designs in areas with poor subgrade. We worked closely with the geogrid manufacturer to develop codes that accurately simulate geogrid behavior in a pavement,” said Bruce Tanquist, pavement computer applications engineer, MnDOT Office of Pavement Design. Many highways in Minnesota are built upon soft subgrades. These weak subgrades decrease the roadway pavement life. In the past, timber and cement have been used to stiffen pavement foundations, with mixed success. However, for the last 20 years, geogrids have been shown to be a beneficial and cost-effective method to stiffen the existing pavement structure.

EPT introduces new string-reinforced LLDPE geomembrane

Engineered Polymer Technologies (EPT) has announced a new string-reinforced linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) fabric. LLDPE has been in increasing demand due to its superior flexibility and better layflat versus high-density polyethylene (HDPE). EPT has specially formulated its LLDPE fabric for high resistance to chemicals and ultraviolet radiation, and offers the material with a puncture- and tear-resistant string-reinforced scrim. It is ideal for use in solid and hazardous waste landfills, construction and demolition (C&D) landfills, mining, industrial and municipal water treatment, and wastewater treatment. 

Act Global and Solmax release next generation of LiteEarth capping system

Act Global and Solmax announced the launch of the next generation LiteEarth PE capping system. LiteEarth is a patented synthetic-grass capping system developed for long-term closure of solid and hazardous waste landfills, coal ash, mining containment sites and other land reclamation projects. The premium LiteEarth capping system consists of factory-bonded synthetic grass and a linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) geomembrane liner. New formulations in LLDPE resins and antioxidant properties improve the performance and durability of the geomembrane liner. “Synthetic grass has been used for decades in a wide variety of functional applications, from rooftops and landscaping to airports and sports fields,” says Chuck Fleishman, director of Act Global, the synthetic turf manufacturer for LiteEarth. “LiteEarth fibers are fully tested and UV stabilized to keep the grass from fading, breaking down or losing tensile strength for decades.” Overall, the LiteEarth system provides long-term protection and a more sustainable and natural looking turf that blends with surrounding vegetation over exposed membrane. It eliminates wind or water erosion as no sand infill is required.