Large-scale studies to evaluate the resilient modulus of geocell-reinforced pavement

April 1, 2019  |  Features

The 2017 ASCE report card (ASCE 2017) on civil infrastructure assigned grade “D” for America’s roads, and this rating necessitates the adoption of more sustainable and resilient approaches in design and construction of transport infrastructures such as highway embankments and pavements. Reclai…
Read More
Geosynthetics Conference watch: Enthusiasm for 2019, Looking ahead to 2020

April 1, 2019  |  Events

Good energy at the Geosynthetics Conference 2019 The Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI)-sponsored Geosynthetics Conference 2019 was a huge success in Houston, Texas, Feb. 10–13, with some 1,100 engaged attendees, presenters, speakers and exhibitors contributing to the intellectual…
Read More
Infrastructure funding remains uncertain

April 1, 2019  |  Editorial

Nearly a year has gone by since we published the June/July 2018 issue with a theme of “Geosynthetics Used in Highways and Bridges.” The editorial in that issue noted, “As of this writing, the White House and U.S. Congress are working on an infrastructure bill or bills after President Donald Tr…
Read More
Expanding a lakeside road with a reinforced soil slope

April 1, 2019  |  Features

Reconstruction of Hennepin County State Aid Highway 112 is a multi-phase project. Phase 1 was completed in fall 2018. Phase 1 included reconstruction and widening of the existing roadway as well as the construction of a bike trail between the road and the lake. The roadway/trail alignment is adjacen…
Read More
GMA heads back to Wisconsin and convenes in Texas

April 1, 2019  |  GMA News, News

GMA heads back to Wisconsin and convenes in Texas  The Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) followed up on its April 2018 advocacy trip to Wisconsin by providing geosynthetics education to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WI DNR) in January. Education is a key component of GMA’s…
Read More
Impact of geogrids on concrete highway pavement performance

April 1, 2019  |  News

The benefits of using geogrids for constructing flexible pavements is well documented. Additionally, the study prepared by White and Vennapusa (2017) discusses the method for field performance verification of the geogrid mechanically stabilized layer. However, this article looks beyond using geogrid…
Read More
The 2019 state of the geosynthetics industry

April 1, 2019  |  News

The U.S. and Canadian geosynthetics market includes geotextiles, geomembranes, geogrids, geosynthetic clay liners, drainage materials, geocells and erosion control materials. In 2018 the U.S. and Canadian geosynthetics market grew in the low single-digit range and is expected to grow somewhat higher…
Read More
Performance evaluation of a multi-span GRS–IBS

April 1, 2019  |  Features

The I-70 multi-span bridges (Figure 1) over Smith Road in Aurora, Colo., included design methodology changes that were classified as “experimental features,” and, thus, additional project funds were included for evaluation. In order to understand the geostructural performance of the multi-span g…
Read More
MSE wall failures can be mitigated through the use of geotextile filters

April 1, 2019  |  GSI News, News

For the past 17 years, the Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) has been accumulating data on failures of geosynthetic reinforced mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) retaining walls. We presently have 320 cases, of which 201 (63%) have been caused in whole or part by water within, or adjacent to, the reinfo…
Read More
Geocomposite waterproofing for Washington weather

April 1, 2019  |  Final Inspection

The wet weather in Washington state is a bane to the region’s travel infrastructure, plaguing the pavement with perpetual problems.  The westbound 3-mile (5-km) stretch across the US 2/I-5 interchange from Bickford Avenue in Everett, Wash., was in particular need of repair. A valuable pipeline fo…
Read More