October 1, 2020
By George R. Koerner As you can see by Figure 1, we are experiencing a new age of geosynthetics. Over the past 15 years, we have seen a propensity of polymeric materials left exposed to rather than covered from the environment. This is in large part due to the strides geosynthetic manufacturers and polymer formulators …
August 1, 2020
On the surface, performing a benefit/cost (B/C) analysis is a straightforward process. However, ensuring that such an analysis is accurate and thorough is a much more nuanced task. In 2008, Bob Koerner laid out the procedure for geomembranes in Geosynthetic Research Institute (GRI) White Paper #12 “GS Selection Based on B/C Ratio.” This article expands …
June 22, 2020
The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) will sponsor a webinar, “In-Situ Stabilization of Soil Slopes Using Nailed or Anchored Geosynthetics,” on June 24, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT. Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) member companies and their employees receive discounted rates on all GSI webinar and short course registrations. The sliding of soil slopes in the …
June 1, 2020
George R. Koerner This article describes a large-scale test method intended to determine the leakage through imperfections in a geomembrane (GM) under a given head. It can be used as a performance test to simulate field conditions where the GM is physically breached. The test method places a GM test specimen of 2 feet (0.6 …
May 18, 2020
The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) announces a worldwide request-for-proposals (RFP) focusing on innovative geosynthetics research and development projects. There will be several awards given, each for $5,000. Emphasis will be placed on relevant topics of interest and/or concern to the geosynthetics community. The proposals must be submitted in the following four-page format: Page 1 – Letter …
April 1, 2020
An essential aspect of geosynthetics is that they function well over a large range of temperatures in either buried or exposed environments. There has been much work in this area; see Giroud and Morel (1992), Koerner and Koerner (1995 and 2006), Lord, Soong and Koerner (1995), and Tsuboi, Imaizumi and Miyaji (1998). Most of the …
February 1, 2020
By Robert M. Koerner The GMA Techline was initiated on Sept. 1, 2004, as a free worldwide answer center for questions involving any, or all, aspects of geosynthetics. There were no constraints put on the questioners, or on the answers that were provided by the Geosynthetic Institute (GSI). To date, 3,500 Q and As have …
October 1, 2019
By Robert M. Koerner In the late 1970s, I regularly invited speakers to make presentations to my geotechnical engineering classes at Drexel University. Two of them were very memorable: Bill Ragen of Mirafi and Bill Witherow of Carlisle. Their respective topics were “filter fabrics” and “pond liners,” and in truth I didn’t associate them with …
August 1, 2019
By Robert M. and George R. Koerner On Sept. 8, 1900, a Category 4 hurricane struck Galveston, Texas, which is situated on the Gulf of Mexico about 8 feet (2.4 m) above sea level. The storm created a 15-foot (4.6-m) storm surge, killing 8,000 to 12,000 people and causing massive destruction. Subsequently, four actions were …
June 1, 2019
By Robert M. and George R. Koerner Listening to and reading the news, there seems to be regular criticism of all plastics insofar as concerns as to their post-use disposal in light of their exceedingly long lifetimes. Rarely, if ever, is the distinction made as to which plastics are really necessary to society and which …
