Categories

Using geosynthetics for avalanche protection in northern Iceland

October 1, 2007

By Ron Bygness One of the northernmost towns in Iceland, while picturesque, sits at the base of avalanche-prone mountainsides. Tiny Siglufjördur—population about 1,400—has sought to have this situation addressed for years. But a final answer—a reinforced-soil avalanche-barrier system—was implemented only recently. The beginnings of the latest earth-retention system was installed in 2005—a soil-stabilizing solution, and …

Landfill liner installation inspection

From the GMA Techline Subject: Landfill liner installation inspection— I was hoping that maybe you would have information on training or certification on the inspection of installations of geomembrane liners for landfills. (Daniel, New York) Reply: We have the exact program you are looking for. It is called the Inspectors Certification Program, and it is …

Eliminating erosion runoff at a Canadian quarry’s stockpile slope

August 1, 2007

By Sarah Willnerd and Ron Bygness Introduction With ownership of some 900 quarries around the world to sustain its building materials operations, the Lafarge Group claims a commitment to achieving sustainable development hand in hand with environmental compliance. However, attempts to stabilize a large stockpile at its Woodstock, Ontario, quarry were challenging that goal. Lafarge …

Using geosynthetics to rehabilitate Fisher Cañon Dam and Reservoir

Installation of a reservoir liner restored more-efficient irrigation to a Colorado resort By Richard A. Millet, P.E., Jennifer L. Williams, P.E., Dennis A. Minchow, John B. Heap Introduction Fisher Cañon Reservoir is an off-channel storage facility that supplies irrigation water to the golf courses at the legendary Broadmoor Resort near Colorado Springs, Colo. The Fisher …

Road realignment, a sediment pond and an unsuspected spring play part in county project

By Lawrence Berkland, CPESC Introduction This project showcases the use of a geosynthetic drainage system as an outfall for a sediment pond, and the accompanying road realignment, both built in Steele County, Minn., in 2006. In this example, the land usage was primarily agricultural, the watershed approximately 90 acres, and the disturbed area about 5 …

Highways for LIFE: Changing the way today’s infrastructure is built

Mission The purpose of Highways for LIFE is to advance Long-lasting highways using Innovative technologies and practices to accomplish Fast construction of Efficient and safe pavements and bridges, with the overall goal of improving the driving experience for America. HfL goals It’s a new way of doing business. Just as the construction of the U.S. …

Geotextile transport layer

June 1, 2007

From the GMA Techline Subject: Geotextile transport layer We need some information about the characteristics of the transport layer (special geotextile) used in association with leak-detection sensors and placed between a drainage geocomposite layer (geonet plus geotextile separator) and the HDPE geomembrane, corresponding to part of the impervious system projected for the base of a …

Sheet-drain system is the correct call for Louisiana wood plant

With geosynthetic sheet-drain technology, a more-efficient and cost-effective system was proposed and eventually built. A new engineered-wood manufacturing facility is up and running this year, thanks in part to a comprehensive geosynthetic sheet-drain system. Martco Limited Partnership, the manufacturing arm of the Roy O. Martin Lumber Co., completed a new oriented-strand board (OSB) plant near …

Product specification

From the GMA Techline Subject: Product specification We are proposing to stabilize a section of eroded riverbank with riprap. We would like to install a fabric beneath the riprap to hold the existing sandy soils in place. Can you give us a recommendation? The river is tidal and the area is exposed to full sun …

Expedient site construction provided housing for Mississippi residents displaced by Katrina

Geosynthetic materials helped in offering a solution for the construction of temporary roads and group housing sites atop wet and soft soil conditions. By Lloyd W. Young Jr. and Robert E. Jordan Introduction The objective of this article is to describe the use of geosynthetics during the preparation of temporary group housing sites in southern …