Features Archives

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 …

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 …

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…

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…

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…

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…

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&…

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…

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…

Ageing standard