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Before the New Year, in October and November 2021, the first two in-person geosynthetics industry events since the pandemic began took place: the Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) fall Lobby Day in Washington, D.C., and GeoNashville 2021. Both were well attended, and many participants were energized by the opportunity to meet with colleagues face-to-face for the first time since March 2020. For more on these two events, see the Updates sections about GMA Lobby Day and about GeoNashville. Does this energizing end to 2021 mean there will be many very profitable geosynthetics companies in 2022?
This issue of Geosynthetics has two regular features. In the first, “Reinforcement over Soft Soils with High-Strength Geogrids,” author Marianna Ferrara presents two case studies about using geogrids for basal reinforcement of soft foundation soils beneath infrastructure construction. The case studies include a project at the Port of Guaymas in northwestern Mexico, and the second involves a major highway interchange in Alexandria, Va., just outside Washington, D.C.
In the second feature, “Geosynthetics for Solar Farm Development,” author Ashley H. Loyola (MacMillan) looks at the use of durable geotextiles and geogrids for stabilization, separation, filtration, confinement and reinforcement applications at solar farms. She focuses on stabilization in her article, and she presents two case studies on projects in Chicot County, Ark., and Lamar County, Texas.
In addition to the two regular features, you will find in this issue the Geosynthetics Product Showcase, featuring a plenitude of new and existing products/services from companies.
With Congress passing and President Joe Biden signing (on Nov. 15, 2021) the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which includes a huge influx of federal dollars on infrastructure projects funneled through federal agencies like the Federal Highway Administration and the states, 2022 could well result in numerous very profitable geosynthetics companies.