Achieving zero leaks on a budget with geomembranes

June 1, 2017  |  Case Studies

For more than 30 years, the geomembrane industry has been told that “all geomembranes leak” (Giroud 1984), as if this were some foregone conclusion no matter what might happen from geomembrane manufacturing to the time it is put into service. But recently, the idea of “zero leaks” has been a…
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History of geosynthetics use on national forest roads

June 1, 2017  |  Case Studies, Features

Introduction The objectives of this article are to document the long history of geosynthetic materials used in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service and other rural roads, to document the many creative and useful ways geosynthetics have been used, and to promote the cost-effective…
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International Geosynthetics Society North American Chapter News

June 1, 2017  |  IGS-NA, News

A busy Geotechnical Frontiers conference for IGS–NA The International Geosynthetics Society–North American (IGS–NA) Chapter annual meeting was held on March 14, 2017, at Geotechnical Frontiers in Orlando, Fla. Among the key items discussed at the meeting were the appointment of the 2017–2019…
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Panorama: IFAI Advanced Textile Conference Testing Program and ASCE Infrastructure Report Card

June 1, 2017  |  News

IFAI’s Advanced Textiles Conference: Testing Program 2017 At the 2017 Advanced Textiles Conference (ATC), four educational tracks—military, medical, smart fabrics, and testing—will give attendees the latest news on the processes, products, and profit potential in working with high-tech fabrics…
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Protecting geomembranes from animal damage

June 1, 2017  |  Case Studies

Resisting animal and insect attacks on geomembranes is an interesting problem. Geomembrane installers and manufacturers have had numerous geomembranes damaged by bears, deer, coyotes, birds, beavers, and ground squirrels (Figures 1 and 2). In most cases, the damage is incidental to something else th…
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Geosynthetics Materials Association News

June 1, 2017  |  GMA News, News

GMA honors Dr. Robert M. Koerner and Dr. George Koerner On March 14 in Orlando, Fla., the Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) hosted the inaugural Robert M. Koerner Award and Lecture Series. Established by GMA in 2016, the award and lecture series is given to an individual who has had a measura…
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Recap of the 2017 Geotechnical Frontiers conference

June 1, 2017  |  Events

More than 2,100 attendees and some 200 exhibitors flocked to the Hyatt Regency Orlando Hotel in Florida, March 12–15, 2017, for the jointly sponsored Geotechnical Frontiers conference. A major event in the geosynthetics world, the once-every-six-years conference unites the Geosynthetics Conference…
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Geosynthetics Institute News

June 1, 2017  |  GSI News, News

Robert M. Koerner on his namesake award and lecture series On March 14, 2017, at the Geotechnical Frontiers conference in Orlando, Fla., George Koerner graciously accepted the Robert M. Koerner Award and Lecture Series. The biennial award and lecture series were established by the Geosynthetic Mater…
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Are zero leaks with installed geomembranes possible?

June 1, 2017  |  Editorial

Abigail Gilson-Beck and Glen Toepfer step into a geosynthetics minefield in this issue of Geosynthetics with their article “Achieving zero leaks on a budget,” a goal that is controversial in the industry. Whether this goal should even be an objective is the question the debate hinges on. A spiri…
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Final Inspection: IGS–NA Photo Contest winners

June 1, 2017  |  Final Inspection

The International Geosynthetics Society North American (IGS–NA) Chapter held the 2017 IGS North America Photo Contest this past winter. The first, second, and third place winners were announced at the Geotechnical Frontiers conference in Orlando, Fla., March 14, 2017. Photographs were required to …
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