Archives

Geosynthetic-reinforced retaining wall in a snowy landscape, featuring layered stone blocks, with a highway visible above.

Evolution of MSE wall design with geosynthetic reinforcement – Part II

August 11th, 2026

The evolution of the design for geosynthetic reinforced Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) walls was discussed in part I of this article.  The article discussed the development of the “Simplified Method” in the 1990s and replacing Allowable Stress Design (ASD) with the Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) platform starting in 2007.     US Highway 285 […]

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Solmax appoints Olivia Schmidt as President, Americas

August 10th, 2026

Olivia Schmidt; photo courtesy of Solmax. Solmax announces the appointment of Olivia Schmidt as President, Americas. “We are very pleased to welcome Olivia to Solmax,” said Bob Gilligan, President and CEO of Solmax. “Her experience in leading large-scale commercial organizations and her disciplined approach to growth will be critical as we continue to strengthen our […]

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A large excavation site covered with black fabric, featuring green vertical pipes and workers arranging black modular drainage units.

Standing strong in extreme weather with geosynthetics

August 6th, 2026

The construction of Layfield’s stormwater management system at the Burien School DistrictTransportation Department is shown. Layfield provided the modular underground stormwater tanksand a nonwoven geotextile to prevent contaminants from polluting the surrounding environment. Photo courtesy of Layfield Geosynthetics. Catastrophic hurricanes and raging windstorms. Epic floods and record-breaking droughts. Blazing heat waves and glacial cold snaps. […]

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Geosynthetics in rail design and construction

July 9th, 2026

The use of geosynthetics for rail infrastructure continues to grow not only in the United States but also worldwide.   As with other applications like roads, waste management, mining and erosion, the use of geosynthetics is recognized as capable of delivering durable, sustainable and cost-effective solutions for rail infrastructure projects.  This project used the Mirafi H2Ri […]

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A vast landscape with a pond in the background, a white, textured area in the foreground, and mountains under a clear blue sky.

The role of multilinear drainage geocomposites in tailings management

March 23rd, 2026

Tailings, the residual byproducts of mining operations, present one of the most formidable challenges in modern resource extraction. These materials hold little economic value but carry substantial environmental risks if not managed properly. The sheer volume of tailings generated globally, often millions of tons annually, demands storage solutions that are not only safe and environmentally […]

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Highway leading to tunnel

Communicating geotechnical technologies with non-geotechs

November 25th, 2025

Photo courtesy of Federal Highway Administration. As geotechnical engineers we often need to communicate complex solutions based on existing site conditions and design requirements to a project team which include non-geotechnical engineers. In addition, there can be several solutions with different costs and expected performance. The decision of the best approach on a given project […]

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Kord Wissman named DFI’s Distinguished Service Award winner

September 10th, 2025

Kord Wissmann, Ph.D., P.E., BC.GE, founder of Intechnics, is the recipient of the Deep Foundations Institute's highest award bestowed to an individual, the Distinguished Service Award (DSA). This award recognizes individuals who have made exceptionally valuable contributions to the advancement of the deep foundations industry. The award is being presented at the DFI 50th Annual […]

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Trends in geogrids: Crisis and opportunity

September 9th, 2025

As extreme weather becomes increasingly common, the demand for geogrid applications to prevent or address environmental damage is rising. Climate change is also sparking infrastructure and construction projects, making these products even more essential. Manufactured from high tenacity, multifilament polyester yarns aligned and coextruded with LLDPE to form polymeric strips, Maccaferri’s ParaDrain is designed to […]

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Conflict with BIS Indian Standard IS16352 for Geosynthetics

August 12th, 2025

Q: We are a manufacturer of HDPE and have run into a conflict with the BIS Indian Standard IS16352 for Geosynthetics — High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Geomembranes for Lining — that requires a geomembrane made with HDPE resin density greater than 0.94 g/cm3. Can you help? A: Most HDPE geomembranes are manufactured from polyethylene resin granules […]

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How erosion control products aid in natural disaster recovery

July 7th, 2025

When natural disasters strike, erosion and sediment control practices play a critical role in protecting the environment and supporting recovery efforts. Wildfires, which are becoming increasingly frequent and severe, can significantly destabilize soil. Post-fire erosion rates can increase up to 60 times compared to pre-fire levels, depending on rainfall intensity and fire severity. This accelerated […]

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