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…
Read More
Bernard Myles was my friend

June 1, 2010  |  News

Written Wednesday, April 28, 2010 by Pete Stevenson Bernard Myles was my friend. We met in 1980 in New Orleans at an organizing meeting for the IFAI geotextile committee where he was the only sensible voice. During the next 30 years he became my friend and he remained a sensible voice. He was a teac…
Read More
Geosynthetics: The present and perspectives from Mexico

June 1, 2010  |  News

By Andrew Aho The Mexican economy has been battered by both the worldwide financial crisis and the effects of a steep downturn in the U.S., Mexico’s largest trading partner. And if that was not enough, Mexico’s economy absorbed another blow last year with its virtual shutdown during the …
Read More
Purging the geosynthetics system of dated test methods and specs

June 1, 2010  |  News

By Bob and George Koerner In May 1998, Maryann Gorman wrote a commentary in ASTM Standardization News entitled “How Specifications Live Forever.” She began the article by explaining how standard gauge railroad track spacing in North America is 4ft-8.5in. (1.4351m). It seems that this pre…
Read More
Personnel update at NAG

June 1, 2010  |  News

North American Green has named Gabe Weaver to the new position of manager of engineering and business development. In a press release this spring, the company said it “has married innovation with expertise in the erosion control industry,” given Weaver’s background as a professiona…
Read More
Cooley appoints business development manager

June 1, 2010  |  News

At the Cooley Group, David Shields has been appointed business development manager for Cooley Engineered Membranes. His responsibilities will include identifying and developing new markets for that division, according to a company press release. Citing his extensive background with the aviation indu…
Read More
Geo-Frontiers 2011 Short Course Announcements

June 1, 2010  |  News

The Geo-Institute of ASCE, the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) and the Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA), and the North American Geosynthetics Society (NAGS) join forces to present Geo-Frontiers 2011 at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel. The conference is conducted under the auspi…
Read More
Subgrade enhancement geotextiles

June 1, 2010  |  News

Editor’s Note: An August 2009 article briefly described a new California DOT (Caltrans) guide for using subgrade enhancement geotextiles. In a comment on this article, the reader poses a question, which is answered by (a) the author of the Caltrans guide and (b) Geosynthetics editor Ron Bygnes…
Read More
Seismic performance

June 1, 2010  |  News

Editor’s Note: The August 2009 issue included an article regarding seismic performance of geocells by Prof. Dov Leshchinsky. A reader offered a compliment and a request. Comment From: Slobodan Riger, Alfa Invest Posted: Aug. 28, 2009 Excellent presentation. We will be interested [in] analysis …
Read More
Slope angles

June 1, 2010  |  News

Editor’s Note: In the June 2009 issue, Tim Stark, an engineering professor at the University of Illinois, answered a question regarding geosynthetic-lined slopes. Prof. Ed Kavazanjian’s comments offer further information on the subject. Comment From: Ed Kavazanjian, Arizona State Univers…
Read More