Geosynthetics and sustainability: How is our industry doing?

April 1, 2022  |  Features

Sustainability is a complex issue, but there are some very simple and direct truths about it. The world’s population is nearly 8 billion people; while the population growth rate has slowed in recent years, the earth’s population continues to rise. There are simply not sufficient resources to pro…
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Complex geosynthetic liner system for the 70 Ranch Raw Water Reservoir

April 1, 2022  |  Features

Irrigation water in the western United States has always been a major concern for farming and ranching, especially in drought years. Water can be both scarce and expensive, and planning for future water storage and accessibility based on projected use is of paramount importance for irrigation distri…
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Ultralightweight foamed glass aggregate as MSE wall backfill

April 1, 2022  |  Features

Mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) systems are a popular and economical option to construct retaining walls for highways and railways, wingwalls and abutments for bridges, and numerous other applications for public and private development. An MSE wall is comprised of alternating layers of fill and …
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Reinforcement over soft soils with high-strength geogrids

February 1, 2022  |  Features

Construction over soft foundation soils is usually associated with poor bearing capacity, excessive differential settlements and lateral sliding instability. Furthermore, the presence of poor ground conditions at a construction site is the most frequent cause of long construction durations.
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Geosynthetics for stabilization in solar farm development

February 1, 2022  |  Features

With renewed focus on clean electricity, an era with massive investment in new solar power has begun, leading to its widespread development. Although these systems have become more cost-effective, there are often solutions left on the table that could make the costs associated with development and m…
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Using bentonite-polymer composite geosynthetic clay liners to contain CCR leachates

October 1, 2021  |  Features

Coal combustion residuals (CCRs) are the byproducts from combustion in coal-fired boilers that are disposed in lined landfills when they cannot be used beneficially in other applications (EPRI 2009) (Figure 1). Land disposal of CCRs is regulated under the “coal ash rule” incorporated into Subtit…
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Hybrid geosynthetic clay liners for attenuation of PFAS in landfill leachates

October 1, 2021  |  Features

An exponential increase in understanding of the provenance, migration, and fate of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is evident over the past decade. The environmental and health concerns from this group of contaminants are well recognized, but they are still evolving with advancing studies…
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Energy industries use HDPE liners for flowback water evaporation/recycling ponds

October 1, 2021  |  Case Studies, Features

The problem to be solved is the disposal and recycling of millions of gallons of production water (brine water) and flowback water annually generated from the oil and gas industry in an environmentally safe, less costly and efficient manner. A technology that is effective and safe is the evaporation…
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IFAI Expo: The industry in person

September 1, 2021  |  Features

Celebrate textile innovation—in person!—at IFAI Expo, the leading show in the textile industry for sourcing, education and networking. Join thousands of industry stakeholders on the show floor, in valuable education sessions and at long-awaited social gatherings. Reconnect with your industry and…
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Koerner Lecture: Geosynthetic-reinforced column-supported embankments: Improving practice with better theory

August 1, 2021  |  Features

This article summarizes the third Dr. Robert M. Koerner Lecture given by the author at the 2021 Geosynthetics Virtual Conference.
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