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The GMA Techline
April 1st, 2019
Vegetation causing gases under geomembrane? Q: I have a site where we are installing a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) liner in an existing pond. Because of some residual heavy metals in the top layer of soil, I would like to strip off the top 3–6 inches (7.6–15.2 cm) of soil and vegetation. Alternatively, we could mow and […]
The GMA Techline
February 1st, 2019
Geomembranes for canal lining Q: Our company is an international member of the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI). Our government is planning to line their water canals with a geomembrane to prevent water seepage into the soil. We have been approached by many to suggest the most suitable material with specifications to guide them in […]
Changing the ‘one per 500 feet’ paradigm on geomembrane field seam sampling
February 1st, 2019
The late Henry Haxo Jr., Ph.D., former president of Matrecon Inc., deserves considerable credit for developing many of the concepts and practices involved in waste containment liner and cover systems. Beginning in the 1970s, various projects, many of them funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), were actively researched. His capstone document is the […]
Christopher honored with 2018 Koerner award and lecture series
February 1st, 2019
The Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA), led by a Koerner awardee selection task force, chose Barry R. Christopher, Ph.D., P.E., as the recipient of the 2018 Robert M. Koerner Award and Lecture Series. The award and lecture series is named for Robert M. Koerner, Ph.D., the founder and director emeritus of the Geosynthetic Institute and professor […]
The many applications for geosynthetics in the energy sector
October 1st, 2018
The opportunities for geosynthetics in energy applications are nearly endless. There are huge energy categories, such as oil, natural gas and coal, but geosynthetics also play a role in nuclear energy, hydropower, wind power and solar power, among others. Geosynthetics line storage tanks, support roads to remote sites, line tailings ponds, provide filtration, dewater coal […]
The GMA Techline
October 1st, 2018
Toxicity of nonwovens? Q: Are there any comprehensive tests (or a general synopsis) of the environmental toxicity of leachate from nonwoven polypropylene fabrics when aged in a freshwater or saltwater solution? Regulatory and municipal bodies in Europe and New Zealand are requesting more info about products that are used in riparian and coastal environments. A: […]
Geosynthetics opportunities and solutions in shale gas extraction
October 1st, 2018
While natural gas contained within shale rock is geologic and thus ancient by its very nature, the practice of its removal by horizontal drilling coupled with hydrofracking is a relatively recent development (Figure 1). Indeed, these dual technologies are making possible the recovery of huge amounts of natural gas—so much so that one can envision […]
Barry R. Christopher honored with 2018 Koerner award and lecture series
September 11th, 2018
The Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA), led by a Koerner awardee selection task force, selected Barry R. Christopher, Ph.D., P.E., as the recipient of the 2018 Dr. Robert M. Koerner Award and Lecture Series. The award and lecture series is named for Dr. Robert M. Koerner, Ph.D., the founder and director emeritus of the Geosynthetic Institute […]
The GMA Techline answers all
August 1st, 2018
UV Weathering of Geotextiles Q: My firm is providing construction quality assurance services for a landfill cell expansion. We are having an issue with our contractor and are going to be in a position of having 8 ounces/square yard (271 g/m2) of nonwoven geotextile exposed for a period of time, which exceeds the seven-day limit […]
The durability of exposed geomembrane covers
October 1st, 2017
The most frequently asked question by people in the geosynthetics world is how long is the anticipated lifetime of geosynthetics. So much so that of the more than 3,000 questions submitted to the GMA Techline since it began in 2004, 591 (19.7%) have been on lifetime, aka durability. Of these, 49% were on buried lifetime, […]