IGS–North America and GMA co-sponsor waste containment system design seminar

June 1, 2016  |  News

The International Geosynthetics Society–North America chapter (IGS–North America, formerly NAGS) and the Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) co-sponsored a day-and-a-half seminar March 22–23 in Syracuse, N.Y., that focused on the design of waste containment systems. The seminar drew more …
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Recycled materials reinforcement?

June 1, 2016  |  News, Q&A: GMA Techline

Questions and answers from the GMA Techline We are soliciting information on the use of recycled materials in the reinforced zone of MSE walls. I recall you as the keeper of many case histories. Do you have any success or failure stories about such recycled content in a reinforced zone? I’m mindfu…
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Weld or sew?

June 1, 2016  |  News, Q&A: GMA Techline

Questions and answers from the GMA Techline We have a liner contractor who would like to wedge-weld geotextile rather than sew it. The material is simply a cushion layer below the 40-mil geomembrane and the contractor is concerned the sewn seams will affect wedge welding of the above geomembrane. Do…
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Geosynthetics: The science that makes green roofs work

June 1, 2016  |  Case Studies

Green roofs 101­–From bottom to top Introduction Most green roofs use a variety of geosynthetic materials to support healthy and sustainable installations. Geosynthetics contribute in many ways to the operational success and long-term sustainability of green roof systems. Because they are lightwe…
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We’re losing the battle

June 1, 2016  |  News

The above title is not about military, political, or social issues; it is about the knowledge base of graduating students and other new employees entering the field of geosynthetics. In both situations (i.e., graduating students and other new employees), entry level men and women have little or no i…
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Strength test?

June 1, 2016  |  News, Q&A: GMA Techline

Questions and answers from the GMA Techline Something that has always puzzled me while performing the CQA for liners is the strength test for a weld using the extrusion gun. I always thought that if the weld does not pass for elongation, that has more to do with the sheet than how well the weld &hel…
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Environmental applications of geosynthetics in pipeline installations

June 1, 2016  |  Case Studies

Geo + Pipeline 101 Geosynthetics often play an important role on the environmental side of pipeline installations. During construction, actions must be taken to protect water quality, stabilize soil, and prevent soil erosion. Pipeline right-of-ways traverse many different types of landscapes, passin…
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GMA’s 2016 government relations program is in full swing

June 1, 2016  |  News

March 2016 was a great month for GMA to ramp up its 2016 federal and state lobbying efforts. GMA members and I had the opportunity to meet with three federal agencies in Washington, D.C. These meetings allowed GMA to educate government officials about the benefits of geosynthetic materials and at th…
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Part 3: Field evaluation of the performance of unpaved roads incorporating geosynthetics—Implementation

June 1, 2016  |  Features

Introduction The mechanisms that govern unpaved road performance are complex, and accurate field evaluation of the performance of unpaved roads incorporating geosynthetics is not easy because it involves many influence factors. Interpretation of test data can be correct only if there is a good under…
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Three of the most difficult questions

June 1, 2016  |  News, Q&A: GMA Techline

From the GMA Techline Q-and-A 1. Mold inside drainage layer? Q: Recently there has been a greater demand for sustainable projects in Southern California and I was glad to see published in Geosynthetics magazine “Geosynthetics: The science that makes green roofs work” (June/July 2014, Vol. 32, No…
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