Archives

Geosynthetic Institute announces RFP

July 17th, 2024

GSI is in the process of transitioning to the next generation of leadership and venue. For the past 40 years, the Geosynthetic Institute has been directed by someone in the Koerner family (Robert (1984-2014) and George (2015-present). It is now time for someone else to take the reins and help move the institute forward. The […]

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Koerner announces GSI ascendancy plan

July 1st, 2024

One of the big announcements at the 5th Pan-American Conference On Geosynthetics (GeoAmericas 2024) in Toronto came from George Koerner who announced that he is stepping down as director of the Geosynthetics Institute (GSI) but is not retiring in 2025. “I’m transitioning but certainly not ending my duties,” Koerner said. “GSI is alive and well. […]

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Koerner announces GSI ascendancy plan

May 30th, 2024

One of the big announcements at the 5th Pan-American Conference On Geosynthetics (GeoAmericas 2024) in Toronto came from George Koerner who announced that he is stepping down as director of the Geosynthetics Institute (GSI) but is not retiring in 2025. “I’m transitioning but certainly not ending my duties,” Koerner said. “GSI is alive and well. […]

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The 2023 Koerner Lecture Q&A session

April 1st, 2024

George Koerner: Geomembranes used as landfill liners may experience differential settlement or local strain due to protrusions or anomalies in the subgrade. Therefore, it is important to define a maximum allowable strain that any given geomembrane can tolerate without compromising its integrity. Do you have an opinion on what this strain limit should be for […]

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New GSI test method for resistance of conductive geosynthetics

June 1st, 2022

The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) has a new test method for resistance measured across positions on conductive geosynthetics. Conductive geosynthetics contain an electrically charged backing (usually a thin layer of polyolefin with letdowns containing 20%–30% carbon black) that allows leaks to be detected in lined systems without the need for a conductive subgrade beneath the liner […]

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Adding graphene to geosynthetics

June 1st, 2022

Q: I have some commercial application questions in the field of geosynthetics. We manufacture graphene powders in the most sustainable way, and it allows us to supply graphene to manufacturers much more economically. As you may have heard, graphene has wonderful material properties atomically to offer, and I am looking for opportunities to leverage its […]

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Landfill trenches with geocomposites

June 1st, 2022

Q: I am wondering if you know of or can point me in the right direction in regard to determining viability of leachate disposal via spraying back onto the active face of a landfill. I have a landfill that has a few issues, and while, from a practical sense, we have had some success with […]

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Welding HDPE geomembranes with biogas present

April 1st, 2022

Q: We are a Brazilian company specializing in biogas plants. We have built a big lagoon biodigester with a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembrane cover. Now the cover is leaking liquid contained in the lagoon: We are organizing the repair procedure, and we would like to first investigate state-of-art practices and procedures for welding HDPE geomembranes […]

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Scratch impact on HDPE liners

April 1st, 2022

Q: I have a project where multiple and extensive scratches were created on the high-density polyethylene (HDPE) liner for a reservoir due to poor construction practices. (See the following Figures 2–4.) FIGURE 2 Construction equipment that caused scratches at crest of slope FIGURE 3 Overview of scratches in 60-mil (1.5-mm) high-density polyethylene (HDPE) conductive liner […]

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Methane gas geomembrane permeability

April 1st, 2022

Q: What is the least permeable geomembrane to methane gas? Regarding the permeability of geomembranes to methane gas, could you send me some technical guidelines? A: High-density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembranes are denser (more crystalline) than linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) geomembranes and less permeable. The water vapor, solvent and methane transmission (diffusion) of an HDPE barrier […]

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