Designing to minimize geomembrane leakage

August 1, 2014  |  Products

By Abigail Beck Introduction Specifying a geomembrane as a barrier system component for a containment facility seems like a straightforward task. Once a geomembrane is specified, the containment facility won’t leak, right? The reality behind geomembrane installations is that the ultimate perfo…
Government relations delivers success & long-term benefits

August 1, 2014  |  News

By Lucie Passus A major win for the geosynthetics industry, GMA It is official: For the first time in U.S. history, the phrase ‘geosynthetic materials’ appears in federal law in the newly enacted Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) signed by President Obama on June 10, 201…
“Educate the Educators”: A retrospective

August 1, 2014  |  News

1994–1998 at Auburn University By Bob Koerner For a week during five summers, 1994–1998, geosynthetic seminars were held at Auburn University in Auburn, Ala., under the general title “Educate the Educators.” The host, coordinator, and facilitator was Prof. Dave Elton of Aubur…
Allowable stress on geonets based on laboratory creep tests

August 1, 2014  |  Features

By Dhani Narejo and Sam Allen Introduction This article focuses on biplanar geonets to the extent of the possible tendency for the two sets of integrally joined ribs to roll over on one another while load is applied. The significance of such a rollover is a reduced transmissivity value as compared t…
Tensar acquired by Castle Harlan

August 1, 2014  |  News

By Ron Bygness Atlanta-based Tensar Corp. announced in a July press release that it has been acquired by Castle Harlan Inc., a middle-market private equity firm. Tensar is a worldwide manufacturer of geosynthetics, including geotextiles, geogrids, and drainage and erosion control materials. The rele…
GSE moves forward with Chapter 11 reorganization

August 1, 2014  |  News

By Ron Bygness Houston-based GSE Environmental Inc. announced in a June press release that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware has approved the company’s Disclosure Statement filed in connection with a proposed Joint Plan of Reorganization. The court’s approval of the …
Gary Kolbasuk receives Award of Merit

August 1, 2014  |  News

By Ron Bygness ASTM International Committee D35 on Geosynthetics has honored Gary Kolbasuk, director of innovation and technology at Raven Industries, Sioux Falls, S.D. with the Award of Merit. The Award of Merit and its accompanying title of fellow is ASTM’s highest organizational recognition…
In memoriam: Gianmario Beretta

August 1, 2014  |  News

By Piergiorgio Recalcati and Ron Bygness Gianmario Beretta, founder of the Tenax Group, died May 28 in an aviation glider accident in Northern Italy. He had been at the helm of Tenax for several decades. A pioneer in plastics production, Beretta developed innovative geosynthetic materials for use in…
Geotextile tubes as submerged breakwaters

August 1, 2014  |  Products

Improvements in wave transmission reduction for beach restoration By Alfonso Solís Pimentel, González Leija Mariana, Aguilar Escalante Sergio Abstract The north coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico has been in a regression process for decades. After Hurricane Gilbert (1988) …
Geosynthetics solutions for Australian desalination plant

August 1, 2014  |  Case Studies

By Pat Elliott Introduction Climate changes and drought have prompted major coastal cities in Australia, and worldwide, to construct desalination plants large enough to provide major populations with rainfall-independent sources of drinking water. In July 2009 the Australian state of Victoria signed…