California dam expansion using geosynthetic-strip reinforced MSE wall

August 1, 2013  |  Case Studies

By Fransiscus S. Hardianto, Robert Lozano, John E. Sankey, and David K. Hughes Introduction The Los Vaqueros Dam was originally built in 1997, creating the Los Vaqueros Reservoir, to improve the quality and reliability of water available to the Contra Costa Water District (CCWD) in Northern Californ…
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Geofoam solution for underground coal mine tunnel

August 1, 2013  |  Case Studies

By Terry Meier About 30 miles east of Salina, Utah, nestled in the western bituminous region of Sevier County, is Convulsion Canyon (Photo 1). This is home for a productive Southern Utah Fuel Co. (SUFCO) underground coal mine, where a longwall mining system and continuous miner units extract more th…
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South Bend recycles a new channel to protect the St. Joseph River

August 1, 2013  |  Case Studies

We don’t always have to use all virgin materials for new projects. By Kurt Kelsey Introduction Stormwater management is a necessary task that confronts every municipality. But how the stormwater is actually managed can differ. Typical gray-pipe solutions get the job done, but they do not provi…
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Performance, design, and redundancy

June 1, 2013  |  Case Studies

Geosynthetic reinforced walls in the public sector By Dov Leshchinsky and Fumio Tatsuoka Introduction Geosynthetic reinforced soil can be viewed as a subset area of slope stability. In slope stability analysis, the factor of safety signifies the margin of safety against failure. It physically means …
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Dominican Republic farm road improved with new retaining walls

June 1, 2013  |  Case Studies

Geogrid reinforcement improves access. By Ángel Conde Introduction The 25-km dirt road from Jarabacoa to Constanza in the mountainous central region of the Dominican Republic has long been a lifeline for local farmers transporting their bananas, vegetables, strawberries, coffee, and flowers. …
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How tubular drainage geocomposite was used in landfill final cover

June 1, 2013  |  Case Studies

A first for landfills in the southeastern United States. By Thomas B. Maier, P.E., and Stéphane Fourmont Introduction In landfill final cover systems, geocomposite drainage products are frequently used as a drainage layer above the geomembrane layer and for surficial landfill gas collection, …
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Geogrid lateral load?

June 1, 2013  |  Case Studies

From the GMA Techline RE: Geogrid lateral load? I have proposed a GRS wall to replace a cut fill failure. Our geotechnical division says it will not hold the lateral load of the surcharge of a car or truck. It will be 6 feet deep, 8 feet wide, and 90 feet long. We will excavate … <div><a href…
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Sustainable geomembrane recycling and downcycling

June 1, 2013  |  Case Studies

Shale oil and gas open sustainability opportunities. By Timothy D. Stark, Jennifer Miller, David LaFiura, and Scott Fought Introduction Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) officials have welcomed the recent eme…
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Evaluations of engineered cover systems for mine waste rock and tailings

June 1, 2013  |  Case Studies

Geosynthetics for mining waste rock and tailings. By Mark E. Smith and Christos Athanassopoulos Introduction Waste rock dumps and tailings impoundments are common features at mine sites. Many of these waste disposal facilities contain sulfide-rich minerals that generate acid mine drainage (AMD) when…
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Use of geosynthetics in wind farm access roads

April 1, 2013  |  Case Studies

Case histories from Poland, Canada, and U.S. By Stephan M. Gale, P.E., D.GE., Mark Kurtz, Fred Chuck, P.E., and Dick Janse Introduction The location of a renewable energy project is based on many technical and political issues. Sites are selected because of available wind forces, power distribution,…
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