Features Archives

Accelerating innovation: The IDEA Program for MSE wall evaluations

March 11, 2026 | Features

There are many areas of expertise involved in MSE wall development, such as corrosion science, polymer behavior and chemical durability, which extend beyond the typical knowledge base of agency engineers.

Geotextiles provide an upgraded recreational field

March 5, 2026 | Case Studies, Features

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection required that the soil be capped and overlain by a geotextile.

Rehabilitating a Maryland landfill with geosynthetics

February 23, 2026 | Case Studies, Features

In Rockville, Md., the Gude Road Landfill operated from 1964 until 1982, disposing of municipal solid waste. The dumpsite predated modern landfill design regulations, lacking an engineered liner cover system. This led to significant environmental concerns requiring remedial action to meet current re…

ASCE Geo-Institute Geosynthetics committee

February 18, 2026 | Features

The geosynthetics committee is one of 20 technical committees sponsored by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Geo-Institute (G-I).

Enhancing load-bearing capabilities with woven geosynthetic

February 10, 2026 | Case Studies, Features, IAA

The primary challenge was to develop a cost-effective, durable and practical solution that could support these heavy loads without requiring excessive excavation or material use.

Pavement design life vs. water: Geosynthetic solutions

February 5, 2026 | Features

Water is generally recognized as the cause of most geotechnical failures or poor performance. This is because water affects both sides of the stability equation. It increases the loading and reduces effective strength.

Geohazard mitigation with geosynthetics

January 27, 2026 | Features

Geohazards can pose significant threats to people, property, and infrastructure. These events include landslides, rock fall, debris flows, floods, earthquakes and others.

IAA Case Study: Yerba Buena Island

January 21, 2026 | Case Studies, Features

The city of San Francisco and private developers planned a $1.5 billion redevelopment of Yerba Buena Island (YBI) and its adjoining island, Treasure. This required infrastructure improvements, upgrades and slope failure repair to the road—work that was necessary after heavy precipitation in fall 2…

Intelligent compaction for quality assurance of geogrid-reinforced soil

January 13, 2026 | Features

One of the barriers to increasing the use of this technology in the design of pavement foundations is the ability to verify the benefit of the introduction of geosynthetic reinforcement.

Association board chair Craig Zola on textile industry goals

January 5, 2026 | Features, Perspective

For Craig Zola, stepping into the role of board chair felt like the natural next step of a decades-long career dedicated to textiles and association leadership.

Category: Features