The professor training courses for geosynthetics: 1994-1998

October 7, 2009  |  Features, News

By David J. Elton and David M. Shannon Introduction Fifteen years ago, the Professor Training Course for Geosynthetics began training U.S. professors to teach geosynthetics at the university level. This paper reviews how the course was conceived, funded and run, and examines the results. Origin The …
Read More
History, development, and future prospects for geosynthetics industries in China (Part 2 of 2)

October 7, 2009  |  Features, News

By Jingkui Chi Editor’s note: Part 1 of this 2-part series ran in the August/September issue of Geosynthetics. Following the Abstract, Part 2 concludes with sections 3 and 4 of this manuscript. Abstract This article presents an introduction to the development of China’s geosynthetic prod…
Read More
Floating interface testing for direct shear

October 7, 2009  |  Features

From the GMA Techline Subject: Floating interface testing for direct shear Can you give us some guidance on the appropriateness of conducting geosynthetic direct shear testing using “floating” or multiple interfaces? It is our understanding that this method is typically used when the cri…
Read More
A new sensible approach: Are we specifying action leakage rates or actionable leakage rates?

September 2, 2009  |  Features

By Glenn T. Darilek and Daren L. Laine Introduction The logical criteria for specifying an action leakage rate (ALR) is not whether a certain rate is achievable with good construction practices, but whether there is a practical solution if the ALR is not achieved. Specifying a low ALR can be a disas…
Read More
History, development, and future prospects for geosynthetics industries in China (Part 1 of 2)

August 1, 2009  |  Features, News

By Jingkui Chi Editor’s note: Part 2 of this 2-part series ran in the October/November issue of Geosynthetics. Following the Abstract, Part 2 concludes with sections 3 and 4 of this manuscript. Abstract This article presents an introduction to the development of China’s geosynthetics pro…
Read More
Research and innovation: Seismic performance of various geocell earth-retention systems

August 1, 2009  |  Features

By Dov Leshchinsky Editor’s note: Feature articles in Geosynthetics magazine focus on projects and how geosynthetic materials are used in a variety ofapplications. Very rarely is the focus solely on a specific product, company, or individual. Professor Leshchinsky and I note that this article&…
Read More
IAGI certified welding technician course, Romanian style

August 1, 2009  |  Features

By Ian Peggs When I knew that Lyn and I were going to EuroGeo4 in Edinburgh (September 2008), we decided to take advantage of the cheap European airfares to spend a few vacation (What a concept!) days in Prague. Having already proctored an IAGI welder certification course for Permathene in New Zeala…
Read More
Cohesion (or adhesion) and friction angle in direct shear tests

April 1, 2009  |  Features

A technical note regarding interpretation of cohesion (or adhesion) and friction angle in direct shear tests By Richard Thiel Introduction Direct shear testing with geosynthetics is generally performed in accordance with ASTM D5321, Standard Test Method for Determining the Coefficient of Soil to Geo…
Read More
Ageing standard

April 1, 2009  |  Features

From the GMA Techline Subject: Standard needed — I need the standard GM11. We produce geomembranes and we will do testing but I do not have the ageing standard. (Yohana, Colombia) Reply: The GRI–GM11 Test Method has now been superseded by ASTM D7238 and ours has been discontinued. Please…
Read More
GCL shrinkage: A possible solution

February 1, 2009  |  Features

By Richard Thiel and Chris Thiel Introduction A potential industry-wide concern for GCL shrinkage was identified by Thiel and Richardson (2005) at the January 2005 Geo-Frontiers conference in Austin, Texas, based on observed problems at several sites worldwide. All of the known problems were for ins…
Read More