New Board of Directors for 2017–2019

April 1, 2017  |  IGS-NA, News

The mission of  the North American Chapter of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS–NA) is to provide leadership in advancing geosynthetics education and research to attain their appropriate and widespread use as engineering materials. As the learned society for geosynthetics in North Amer…
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PART 2 Functions and applications of geosynthetics in roadways

April 1, 2017  |  Features

Introduction Part 1 of this article provided an overview of the various functions that geosynthetics can fulfill in roadway applications. These functions include separation, filtration, reinforcement, stiffening, drainage, hydraulic/gas barrier, and protection. Table 1 in that article identified a t…
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MSE wall failures vis-à-vis the lack of filtration design

April 1, 2017  |  GSI News, News

Since 2001, the Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) has been accumulating data on failures of geosynthetic-reinforced mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) retaining walls. We currently have 301 cases, with 191 (63%) caused in whole or part by water in, or adjacent to, the reinforced soil zone. We sincerely …
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Upcoming event: Educate the Educators (EtE) 2017

April 1, 2017  |  IGS-NA, News

IGA–NA has been an active participant in this geosynthetics training program for engineering professors. Many schools do not teach geosynthetics because their instructors may not have the knowledge, confidence, or materials to effectively teach it. Educate the Educators (EtE) provides specialized,…
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GMA Lobby Day coming at the perfect time for the geosynthetics industry

April 1, 2017  |  GMA News, News

Looking ahead Don’t forget to join the Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) for its upcoming D.C. fly-in on April 26–27.  Our biannual Lobby Day will consist of a GMA briefing dinner the evening of April 26 and about 30 meetings on Capitol Hill all day April 27. The GMA Executive Council wi…
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PART 1 ‘Geosynthetic reinforced soil 101’ leading to rational design of MSE walls and slopes

April 1, 2017  |  Features

Introduction The design of many geotechnical structures is based on limit state conditions. For example, in designing gravity walls, the load exerted by the retained soil on the wall is based on an assumed active state of stresses. That is, the wall moves sufficiently outward, enabling the retained …
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Handing over the reins

April 1, 2017  |  Editorial

The stellar reputation of Geosynthetics magazine is due to its reporting on innovative solutions to complex problems, publishing well-researched articles written by experts in their fields, and consistently putting in print reliable and relevant information for engineers, project managers, and emplo…
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2017 State of the Specialty Fabrics Industry

April 1, 2017  |  News

The U.S./Canadian geosynthetics market includes geotextiles, geomembranes, geogrids, geosynthetic clay liners, drainage materials, geocells, and erosion control materials. In 2016, the size of the U.S./Canadian geosynthetics market was $2.6 billion, up 3.5% over 2015. It is expected to swell to $2.7…
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Flood impact reduction and streambank repair along Spy Run Creek

April 1, 2017  |  Features

Background Spy Run Creek in Fort Wayne, Ind., is a 10-mile watercourse that drains several square miles on the northwest side of Fort Wayne. Spy Run Creek empties into the St. Mary’s River in downtown Fort Wayne, just upstream from its confluence with the St. Joseph River. The St. Mary’s and the…
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Geotechnical Frontiers a Success

April 1, 2017  |  Final Inspection

The 2017 Geotechnical Frontiers conference in Orlando, Fla., drew thousands to “The City Beautiful” Mar. 12–15, 2017, for four days of plenary lectures, awards honoring distinguished geosynthetics experts and work on innovative geosynthetics projects, panel discussions, technical sessions base…
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