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 […]
Don’t be afraid of making horizontal geomembrane seams on side slopes
August 1st, 2018
Over the years, there have been many discussions raising concerns about having geomembrane field seams located horizontally on side slopes. By not allowing such seams, it usually results in many short roll lengths that become either unused or difficult to tailor into the flat area of the project. Stated differently, the installation costs increase accordingly. […]
Estimating live loads in MSE wall and slope design
June 1st, 2018
In formulating a factor-of-safety value for a mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall or slope project, a design engineer calculates a ratio of resisting forces to driving forces. This contrast is further recognized when using load and resistance factor design (LRFD), which is in our not-too-distant future. The resisting forces are the soil’s inherent properties (e.g., […]
Commentary on attribution and referencing in technical papers
April 1st, 2018
In presenting written technical information in academic papers and presentations, including in geosynthetic papers, as well as conference proceedings and presentations, it is established practice for the author to attribute references, data, charts, tables, graphs, photographs, illustrations and concepts back to the initial originator/developer, who under law is the copyright holder to the work simply […]
IGS-NA news
April 1st, 2018
The following are highlights of the many initiatives of IGS-NA over the last few months. IGS-NA supports Geosynthetics 2019 The North American Chapter of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS-NA) is proud to support the Geosynthetics 2019 conference, which is organized by the Geosynthetic Materials Association, to be held Feb. 10–13, 2019, at the Marriott Marquis […]
Ten years of GSI student fellowships
February 1st, 2018
There are 29 types of 501(c) nonprofit organizations in the United States and probably many more worldwide. The most common are 501(c)(3) organizations, which include organizations with religious, charitable, scientific, literary and educational purposes. Of the approximately 4 million in the United States alone, the Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) is one of them. These organizations are […]
Geosynthetic Institute news: Mega waterbags
October 1st, 2017
According to the United Nations (UN), 1.1 billion people in 34 countries have inadequate access to safe drinking water. Furthermore, pollution, global warming and population growth will have continuing negative impacts on the availability of safe drinking water. By the year 2040, the UN estimates that more than 2 billion people in 60 countries will […]
Geosynthetic Institute News
August 1st, 2017
Commentary on geosynthetic specifications One can only suspect that the first specification on a given manufactured material came along with or very shortly after the first manufactured product became available. It follows then that some 200 years later, manufactured geosynthetic materials should do likewise. In fact, so-called standards organizations have evolved by publishing the following […]
The 2nd International GSI–Asia Geosynthetics Conference
October 1st, 2015
Some of you know that the Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) and Inha University, Incheon, Korea (Rep.), have had an association for more than 20 years. In June, we advanced this relationship during the 2nd International GSI–Asia Geosynthetic Conference. The conference chairman was Prof. Han-Yong Jeon of Inha University, the conference secretary was Dr. Jungjo Yuu of […]