The GMA Techline
August 1st, 2020
Seaming dissimilar geomembranes Q: I kindly request your technical support in the questions below: A nonpolyethylene geomembrane was used in phase 1 of the tailings dam waterproofing system of a gold mine. For the expansion (phase 2), the use of a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembrane is being evaluated. How can the HDPE geomembrane join the bituminous […]
The GMA Techline
June 1st, 2020
Moderated by George R. Koerner Minimum sediment thickness Q: We are going to construct some evaporation ponds on existing sediment on top of a Hypalon geomembrane. The sediment looks to be predominantly fine. The subgrade condition below the liner is not known for sure. In such conditions, can you recommend a minimum sediment thickness that […]
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 […]
Savannah River Nuclear Solutions wins award for geosynthetic coal ash project in South Carolina
October 22nd, 2018
Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) received the Project Management Institute (PMI) Award for Project Excellence at the PMI Professional Awards Gala held in Los Angeles, Calif. in October for work completed at the Savannah River Site (SRS) D-Area Ash Basin Project in South Carolina. The prestigious award recognizes global, large and complex projects that deliver […]
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 […]
Geosynthetics and coal combustion residuals
October 1st, 2018
According to the World Bank Group, in 2015 coal produced 41% of the world’s energy and about 34% of the energy production in the United States. While global warming and pollution are serious challenges according to most scientific evidence, and coal burning is cited as one cause of both, there are many staunch advocates of […]
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency updates geosynthetic liner guidelines for stormwater management
August 30th, 2018
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (Minnesota PCA) revised and released new geosynthetic liner guidelines for stormwater management in August. The guidelines specify where liners are required and where liners are recommended, liner specifications (e.g., HDPE, GCL, PVC), and how to select an appropriate liner. “Liners are designed to limit infiltration of water from a stormwater […]
Geosynthetics use expands in mining and ore processing
August 1st, 2018
The estimated value of nonfuel mining of raw materials in the United States alone totaled $75.2 billion in 2017, according to an annual report by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Everything from aluminum to zinc falls into this massive category, but that dollar figure is dwarfed by the USGS’s estimate in that same report of […]
Testing a new method for mining-waste storage using polymer-enhanced geosynthetic clay liners
July 31st, 2018
Geosynthetic clay liners (GCL) and polymer-modified geosynthetic clay liners (PMG) are gaining favor for use in industrial waste disposal and ore-processing applications (Athanassopoulos et al. 2015, Donovan et al. 2016a, Donovan et al. 2016b). The GCL or PMG can be a component of a composite liner system that will allow for increased performance (relative to […]
Part 2: The regulation of CCR in the United States: Geosynthetics and barriers
October 1st, 2017
As discussed in Part 1 of “The Regulation of CCR in the United States,” for the first time in decades, nationwide regulation of CCR (coal combustion residuals) surface impoundments expands the regulated use of geosynthetic materials. While the CCR Rule (2015) allows continued operation of existing CCR surface impoundments, it provides criteria for the disposition […]