Conductive liner for a copper mine reservoir
February 5th, 2021
At a large copper mine in the U.S., a lined stormwater reservoir needed to be constructed for containment of runoff and process water. The integrity of the reservoir liner was critical as failure could result in contamination of groundwater. Solmax installed a double liner system, using Leak Location Conductive liner. This would ensure reliable electric […]
CCR landfill final cover test pad—Part 2
October 1st, 2020
By Nina J. Balsamo, John Massey-Norton, John R. Klamut, Terry Queen,Charles F. Straley and Mark R. Lehner FIGURE 1 Test pass of loaded 45-ton (40.8-tonne) truck over 3 feet (0.9 m) of cover soil on bench An integrated drainage system (IDS) geomembrane, which provides both a low-permeability membrane and drainage space above the geomembrane, is […]
CCR landfill final cover test pad—Part 1
August 1st, 2020
By Nina J. Balsamo, John Massey-Norton, John R. Klamut, Terry Queen,Charles F. Straley and Mark R. Lehner An integrated drainage system (IDS) geomembrane, which provides both a low-permeability membrane and drainage space above the geomembrane, is being used in the final cover at a coal combustion residuals (CCR) landfill in West Virginia. Part 1 of […]
Test method for determining leakage through imperfections in GMs of a composite liner system
June 1st, 2020
George R. Koerner This article describes a large-scale test method intended to determine the leakage through imperfections in a geomembrane (GM) under a given head. It can be used as a performance test to simulate field conditions where the GM is physically breached. The test method places a GM test specimen of 2 feet (0.6 […]
International Achievement Awards
April 1st, 2020
Recognizing design excellence in geosynthetics The International Achievement Awards, sponsored by the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI), recognize innovation, technical skill and design excellence in geosynthetic applications. The awards are an annual competition promoting awareness of the specialty fabrics used in thousands of products and applications ranging in size and shape. For more than 70 […]
Water-conducting membrane allows carbon dioxide to transform into fuel more efficiently
February 7th, 2020
Methanol is a versatile and efficient chemical used as fuel in the production of countless products. Carbon dioxide (CO2), on the other hand, is a greenhouse gas that is the unwanted byproduct of many industrial processes. Converting CO2 to methanol is one way to put CO2 to good use. In research recently published in Science, […]
The GMA Techline
February 1st, 2020
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 […]
Erosion control using concrete-enhanced synthetic turf
February 1st, 2020
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 […]
Lessons learned in alternative coal ash pond closure design and construction
October 1st, 2019
By Anna M. Saindon Coal ash pond closures often face unique challenges due to location, available borrow soils and construction constraints. These challenges can lead to alternative methods of closure to comply with Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Subtitle D and coal combustion residuals (CCR) regulations. This article summarizes the construction of the first […]
Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI) updates PVC geomembrane specification
September 30th, 2019
The Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI) updated its Material Specification for New PVC Geomembranes, previously referred to as PGI 1104 and FGI 1117. The new specification, FGI 9119, addresses camber or layflat, film gloss, shore hardness, and color deviation within a manufactured lot. The new specification introduces the FGI circumference test which measures the roll circumference […]