February 1, 2020
By Robert M. Koerner The GMA Techline was initiated on Sept. 1, 2004, as a free worldwide answer center for questions involving any, or all, aspects of geosynthetics. There were no constraints put on the questioners, or on the answers that were provided by the Geosynthetic Institute (GSI). To date, 3,500 Q and As have …
Moderated by George R. Koerner and Y. “Grace” Hsuan DARCIAN PERMEABILITY Q: I am aware of the section in your book regarding geomembrane “permeability” and get from it that it aims to calculate an equivalent Darcian permeability using vapor diffusion via Fick’s law. Can one use the derived permeability then when calculating flow using Darcy’s …
By Bradford H. Cooley and Bryan Scholl Concrete-enhanced synthetic turf (CEST) is a hardened revetment system best described as a fiber-reinforced, flexible concrete liner. It consists of a high-friction, impermeable geomembrane layer overlain by an engineered synthetic turf, which is infilled with a 5,000 psi (3.45 × 107 Pa) high-strength cementitious mix. The turf fibers …
Design, construction and fire damage mitigation By Nathan M. Lichty, Stephan M. Gale and Timothy P. Bendell Demolition of the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome stadium in Minneapolis, Minn., occurred in 2014 and subsequent construction of U.S. Bank Stadium (Figure 1), the home of the Minnesota Vikings and host of the 2018 Super Bowl, occurred between …
Erosion control and reinforcement are two applications that geosynthetics are used for. Distantly related, the two applications form the backbone of this publication. But looming large over this issue is the passing of Robert M. “Bob” Koerner and Pauline “Paula” W. Koerner, a couple who had a huge influence over the founding and development of …
Here’s your first look at some of the new products and services that will be on the show floor at the Geosynthetics Conference 2020: CASE STUDIES in North Charleston, S.C., March 8–10. The 2020 show floor will bring together exhibitors covering the gamut of geosynthetic products and services, from geomembranes to electrical leak location testing, …
By John McCartney The North American Chapter of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS-NA) held another successful Educate the Educators (EtE) event at the University of California in San Diego (La Jolla), Dec. 9–10, 2019. EtE is designed to provide specialized, hands-on training and lecture materials to equip university instructors to offer effective geosynthetics content as …
The geosynthetics community is deeply saddened by the news of Robert M. and Pauline W. Koerner’s passing. The couple leaves a lasting legacy through their creation of the Geosynthetic Institute, their philanthropy, and their many accomplishments professionally and personally. Bob Koerner was a pioneer of geosynthetics, an influencer with a long record of geosynthetics achievements. …
By Barbara J. Connett We can’t wait to welcome you to Geosynthetics Conference 2020: CASE STUDIES. This is a great time to make final plans for what sessions you are going to attend, which exhibitors you are going to visit as well as carving out some time to get a group of colleagues together for …
Letter from the chair As I sat down to write this update of all the great things GMA has been doing, my computer screen interrupted me with an email, and now I type with a heavy heart as the email announced the passing of Robert M. Koerner. I had the privilege of knowing Bob for …