Industry standard for wall drainage systems?
June 1st, 2021
Q: I just watched your recorded video of mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall inspection. Thank you for the presentation; it was very informative. I do have a follow-up question for you. I was recently the site engineer for a precast panel MSE wall and now have the opportunity to inspect construction of the wall that […]
Solmax launches online Geosynthetic Drainage Tool for design engineers
October 16th, 2020
Geosynthetics play a vital role in the containment of solid and liquid waste in landfills, mining, energy, construction, and oil and gas applications. To help design engineers accurately specify the materials needed, Solmax has launched an online resource for engineers–its Geosynthetic Drainage Tool. Geosynthetics are used to contain, drain and protect, but specifications will be […]
Distinctive uses of geosynthetics
October 1st, 2020
This issue of Geosynthetics takes a look at bridges, drainage/coal combustion residuals and highways/geosynthetic wall systems. It’s a diverse issue showing the breadth of geosynthetics applications. Patricia Guerra-Escobar’s “Reinforced embankments for the causeway for a North Wales bridge project” examines the use of geogrids in the replacement of a 160-year-old bridge in the U.K. “CCR […]
GSI to host webinar on geosynthetic drainage materials
June 10th, 2020
The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) will sponsor a webinar, “Geosynthetic Drainage Materials: Applications, Design, Installation and Performance,” on June 17, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT. Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) member companies and their employees receive discounted rates on all GSI webinar and short course registrations. Geosynthetic drainage materials consist of a drainage core (geonet […]
Enhanced moisture management of pavement systems through capillary suction
June 1st, 2020
By René B. Laprade and John M. Lostumbo Moisture within pavement layers is a principal cause of pavement deterioration (Cedergren 1994, Christopher and McGuffey 1997, Henry and Holtz 2001). Specific problems associated with moisture include (1) reduction in pavement strength caused by excess water in the base course layers and/or the subgrade soils, (2) shrinking […]
Geosynthetics: An extraordinary handler of water
April 1st, 2020
Most geosynthetics deal with water in some shape or form. Geosynthetics are an extraordinary handler of water, whether the project involves erosion control, water storage, wastewater, stormwater, seawater or mining. This issue of Geosynthetics looks at water applications in several forms. Drainage, leak detection layers, potable water storage, a mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall at […]
MSE wall failures can be mitigated through the use of geotextile filters
April 1st, 2019
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 reinforced soil zone. We sincerely hope that our […]
GSI to host webinar on back drainage design of MSE walls
February 5th, 2019
The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) will sponsor a webinar “MSE Wall: Back Drainage Design,” on Feb. 20, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. EST. Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) member companies and their employees receive discounted rates on all GSI webinar and short course registrations. Within GSI’s database of 320 failed mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls reinforced […]
The magic of water and geosynthetics
February 1st, 2019
Water is a fundamental issue in many projects using geosynthetics. From erosion control to reservoir liners and covers, from landfill leachate pond barriers to coal ash dewatering, handling water and the effects of water are considerations nearly every engineer employing geosynthetics considers. Geosynthetics can effectively manage water applications of erosion control, reinforcement, barriers, filtration and […]
GSI to host webinar on geosynthetic drainage materials
January 11th, 2019
The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) will sponsor a webinar “Geosynthetic Drainage Materials: Applications, Design, Installation and Performance,” on Jan. 24, 2019, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. EST. Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) member companies and their employees receive discounted rates on all GSI webinar and short course registrations. Geosynthetic drainage materials consist of a drainage core […]