‘Old-timer’ recalls the history of geomembrane interface strength tests (Part 2)

April 1, 2011  |  Features

By Allan J. Breitenbach, P.E. Editor’s note: Author Breitenbach’s treatise recalling geomembrane testing in days of yore started with Part 1 in the February/March issue of Geosynthetics. He continues in Part 2 with an examination of several related factors that influenced liner interface…
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‘Old-timer’ recalls the history of geomembrane interface strength tests (Part 1)

February 1, 2011  |  Features

By Allan J. Breitenbach, P.E. Introduction I was fortunate enough to attend the interesting 9th International Conference on Geosynthetics (9ICG) in Guarujá, Brazil, in May 2010. During the last day of presentations there was a good discussion on large-scale, laboratory, direct-shear liner tes…
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Smallest piezometer now on market

December 13, 2010  |  Features

Roctest Ltd., designer and manufacturer of high-precision sensors, has launched the FOP-MicroPZ, the smallest fiber-optic piezometer available in the market, according to a company press release. Piezometers measure pressure from pore-water or other fluids and are deployed in tunnels, embankments, e…
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Glen Raven lab certified for geotextile testing

November 12, 2010  |  Features

Strata Systems, a division of Glen Raven Technical Fabrics (GRTF), announced in a November press release that GRTF had received certification to test geosynthetic fabrics from the Geosynthetic Accreditation Institute’s (GAI) Laboratory Accreditation Program. This certification makes Glen Raven…
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Green roof market growth: Opportunities and challenges

October 1, 2010  |  Features, News

By Dhani Narejo Introduction The forecast for the North American roofing market is an anticipated worth of $18 billion in 2014(1) with the most rapid gains expected in alternative roofing technologies, including green roofs. This is good news for the geosynthetics industry. While traditional roofs d…
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Test parameters

October 1, 2010  |  Features

From the GMA Techline RE: Test parameters Most of the tests based on ASTM geotextiles provide for conditions of temperature and specific humidity. Do these parameters greatly influence the test results if you change or vary? Thanks, (José | Mexico) Reply: I believe that all of the standard te…
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Training and certification for geomembrane liner leak location surveyors

August 12, 2010  |  Features

By Ian Peggs, Ph.D., P.E Introduction The benefits of performing geoelectric leak location or liner integrity surveys (LIS) as the final stage of geomembrane liner construction quality assurance are well established. In fact, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) Divi…
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U.S. geosynthetics market is poised for a comeback in 2010-11

June 1, 2010  |  Features, News

By Jeffrey Rasmussen While U.S. geosynthetics manufacturers and distributors assess 2009’s lackluster performance, they can also look forward to the possibility of meaningful improvements before the end of this year. Sales in 2009 were down about 4-5%. However, a slow but steady growth is expe…
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Strong as silk: Using a bio-enabled approach to produce nanoparticle composites

April 1, 2010  |  Features, News

By John Toon Using thin films of silk as templates, researchers have incorporated inorganic nanoparticles that join with the silk to form strong and flexible composite structures that have unusual optical and mechanical properties. This bio-enabled, surface-mediated approach mimics the growth and as…
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Prospects for geosynthetic containment systems at Marcellus Formation shale-gas drilling projects

February 1, 2010  |  Features, News

By Robert M. Koerner Background The Marcellus Formation, also known as the Marcellus Subgroup of the Hamilton Group, Marcellus Member of the Romney Formation, or simply the Marcellus Shale, is a unit of marine sedimentary rock found in eastern North America. Named for a distinctive outcropping near …
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