Why are GCLs often used for liners in landfills?
July 21st, 2023
Ongoing management of landfill sites involves complex environmental challenges and requires strict compliance with certain guidelines. Managing issues such as leachate, runoff, gases, and other by-products of the waste management process have traditionally been managed by lining and capping cells with clay. Geosynthetic Clay Liners (GCLs), however, offer an alternative to traditional clay lining of landfill […]
FGI offering webinar on Geosynthetic Clay Liners in Mining Applications
May 4th, 2022
The Fabricated Geomembrane Institute will be hosting a webinar on the use of geosynthetic clay liners May 12. This presentation by Christopher Bareither, Ph.D. Colorado State University, will focus on the use of GCLs in mining applications. The discussion will highlight laboratory testing to assess mechanical and hydraulic behavior of GCLs. In addition, common design […]
Landfill geosynthetics for abandoned Italian dump
February 7th, 2022
Landfill geosynthetics transform the abandoned dump near Cava De’Tirreni, Italy, into a green oasis in the heart of the Metelliana Valley. Installing landfill geosynthetics at the dump near Cava De’Tirreni, Italy. Photograph courtesy of Officine Maccaferri S.p.A. In 2018, a significant environmental recovery and securing plan began for the former municipal landfill for Cava de’ Tirreni, Italy, […]
Sewn versus welded seams
February 1st, 2022
Q: On your GMA Techline website list of sample questions and answers, a question is asked about a recommendation for sewn versus welded seams for geotextiles. Bob Koerner answered this question by stating that you have done a study for joining geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) overlap seams via eight methods. Can you share that study […]
GSI to host webinar on geosynthetics in heap leach mining
January 27th, 2022
Photograph courtesy of NAUE GmbH & Co. KG The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) will sponsor a webinar, “Geosynthetic Applications Used in Heap Leach Mining,” on Feb. 9, 2022, 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. The […]
GSI to host webinar on geosynthetics in hydraulic applications
December 23rd, 2021
A 30-mil (0.8-mm) polyvinyl chloride (PVC) geomembrane with a 10-ounces-per-square-yard (339-g/m2) nonwoven geotextile cushion is installed for a stormwater/erosion control project in Harrisburg, Pa. Photograph courtesy of ACF Environmental The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) will sponsor a webinar, “Geomembranes in Hydraulic Applications (dams, canals, reservoirs, tunnels, pipes),” on Jan. 12, 2022, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 […]
Hybrid geosynthetic clay liners for attenuation of PFAS in landfill leachates
October 1st, 2021
An exponential increase in understanding of the provenance, migration, and fate of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is evident over the past decade. The environmental and health concerns from this group of contaminants are well recognized, but they are still evolving with advancing studies. A key property of PFAS compounds at a molecular level is […]
Geosynthetics for CCR, PFAS and energy applications
October 1st, 2021
This issue of Geosynthetics magazine delves deep into two innovative uses of geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) in very different applications: coal combustion residual (CCR) leachates and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) mitigation in landfills. We also examine three case studies of energy companies using high-density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembranes for flowback water in water evaporation/recycling ponds. […]
GSI’s new GCL test method
August 1st, 2021
The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) has a new standard test method for “Determination of the Polymer Loading in Geosynthetic Clay Liners (GCLs).” It was developed over several years without consensus of the membership. GSI forged ahead with it because we see many such products in the market and believe there is a need to start the […]
Geosynthetic clay liners in landfill engineering
July 20th, 2021
Installing a geosynthetic clay liner at a landfill. Photograph courtesy of ACF Environmental A critical component of a well-conceived waste management plan, landfills are highly engineered facilities. In particular, the design and management of municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills carry environmental significance. The site, design, construction and operation of landfills require stringent compliance with government […]