As tariffs begin, auto industry given one-month exemption
March 5th, 2025
Imports from Canada and Mexico to U.S. automakers were given a one-month exemption to new tariffs on goods from these two countries, which began March 4. This decision by President Donald Trump comes after a March 5 conversation with three leading U.S. auto manufacturers: Ford, General Motors and Stellantis. The administration indicated this would be […]
Public comments on trade open, tariffs begin next week
February 27th, 2025
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) opened its invitations last week for public comments on foreign trade practices and the Section 301 sanctions on China. The deadline to submit comments on foreign trade practices is March 11. The deadline to submit comments on Section 301 sanctions is March 24. USTR will hold […]
Airports zone in on geosynthetics
October 1st, 2023
FIGURE 1 Tensar mechanically stabilized the recycled congregate aggregate sublease at Toronto Pearson Airport so that subexcavation and removal of the subgrade soil was not required. Photo courtesy of Tensar Airport runways are not mere roads. They need to be built smoother and stronger to support the loads of jet planes without buckling under the […]
IGS North America: New board of directors, big agenda
February 1st, 2023
As this issue of Geosynthetics is released, IGS North America (IGS-NA) will be announcing its new board of directors. Elections took place in January 2023. The official passing of the gavel takes place at the in-person IGS-NA chapter meeting at Geosynthetics Conference in Kansas City, Mo. (February 5–8). If you are in Kansas City, as […]
Terrafix Geosynthetics Inc. acquires Geosynthetic Systems
October 4th, 2022
Terrafix Geosynthetics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Leggett and Platt, has acquired Ottawa-based Geosynthetics Systems. Geosynthetic Systems specializes in the distribution of products used for erosion and sediment control, drainage and stormwater management, construction, gabion systems, engineered walls and landscaping. Geosynthetic Systems was founded by Peter Mulrooney, an entrepreneur whose background consists of experiences in […]
Wick drain ground improvements
August 1st, 2022
Editor's note: This is part 1 of a two-part article. Part 2 will appear in the October/November issue of Geosynthetics. FIGURE 1 Wick drain installation Construction of a large mine waste stockpile was required at the Rainy River Mine in Ontario, Canada. The mine rock stockpile foundation has up to 131 feet (40 m) thick […]
Multi-linear drainage geocomposites for railways
June 1st, 2022
FIGURE 1 Multi-linear drainage geocomposite under railway embankment In civil engineering, drainage systems are traditionally made with granular material layers and perforated collector pipes. The use of drainage geocomposites became more common 30 years ago with the development of products that met the specific requirements of each application. Moreover, the geocomposite is cheaper than the […]
Montreal to host 13ICG
April 25th, 2022
The International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) chose Montreal to host 13ICG, to be held Sept. 13–16, 2026, in Canada for the first time. The International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) announced that Montreal, Que., Canada, has been selected to host the 13th International Conference on Geosynthetics (13ICG) in 2026. The bidding process began last August, when IGS President Chungsik […]
Layfield’s Fraser joins GSI board
April 20th, 2022
Layfield’s Fraser joins GSI board of advisors, bringing his 40+ years' experience in the geosynthetics industry to GSI. Brian Fraser joins GSI board of advisors. Photograph courtesy of Layfield Group Ltd. The Layfield Group Ltd. announced that Brian Fraser, vice president of business development for Layfield Geosynthetics, has been appointed to the Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) […]
Geocells and geotextiles for separation/reinforcement at an oil-drilling platform
April 1st, 2022
Installing and filling in the GEOWEB 3D Soil Stabilization System at the Angle Energy Inc. oil drilling platform, Olds, Alta., Canada. Photograph courtesy of Presto Geosystems An Angle Energy Inc. oil drilling platform in northern Canada required year-round access for equipment to service and maintain a conventional wellsite pad. Several new wells were to be […]