Archives

An open solicitation to work on development of a new GSI specification for EIA geomembrane

August 1st, 2022

GSI has a long history of writing specifications for geosynthetics. Like all engineered materials, geosynthetics are used in many applications and need general requirements for plans and specifications. When the NSF ceased servicing NSF #54 “Specification for Geomembranes” in 1991, The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) was requested by its membership to continue the effort. With a […]

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Aboveground storage tank liners for energy applications

June 1st, 2022

FIGURE 1 Wooden oil tank near Odessa, Texas. Photograph courtesy of the author Over the past 20 years, hydraulic fracking rules and regulations have become increasingly stringent, and oil and gas (O&G) producers have become progressively more concerned with environmental stewardship. Quality, factory-fabricated geomembrane liners for the aboveground storage tank (AST) market have become a […]

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PVC geomembrane specifications for South American lithium mining

June 1st, 2022

FIGURE 1 A covered pond with a PVC geomembrane (left) that complies with Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI) specifications. A second pond (right) is already filled with lithium brine. Lithium, one of the raw materials in various batteries, is the element powering the technological revolution over the past 30 years that has led to people having […]

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Pipe penetrations through geomembranes

June 1st, 2022

Q: Is there a recommended detail that you can provide or point me toward for pipe penetrations through geomembrane single and double liners? A: You should review American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D6497 Standard Guide for Mechanical Attachment of Geomembranes to Penetrations or Structures. It is excellent, with three tried-and-true standard details that […]

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Landfill closure best practices

April 19th, 2022

AGRU America Inc. explores landfill closure regulations and requirements, highlighting landfill closure best practices from the perspective of a geosynthetics manufacturer. In partnership with Watershed Geosynthetics LLC, AGRU America Inc. has manufactured more than 1,500 acres (607 ha) of ClosureTurf engineered landfill closure systems. Photograph courtesy of AGRU America Inc. Landfill containment is a complicated […]

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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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Transforming the geosynthetics world

April 1st, 2022

In this special issue of Geosynthetics magazine, we examine the rapidly evolving world of geosynthetics and sustainability with the timely, future-oriented feature by geosynthetics veteran Boyd Ramsey, “Geosynthetics and Sustainability: How Is Our Industry Doing?”  Sustainability is a complex issue. In his feature, Ramsey looks at how geosynthetics companies and organizations are rising to the […]

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Geomembranes for agriculture protect environment

March 9th, 2022

Experts at International Cover Systems Inc. discuss two major applications of geomembranes for agriculture that protect the environment. FIGURE 1 Large geomembrane-lined agricultural lagoon before filling. Photograph courtesy of International Cover Systems Inc. Many of us love meat and dairy, but most put little thought into the waste produced by the animals that bring us these tiers […]

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How to install a liner in a large pond

August 25th, 2021

An AGRU HDPE geomembrane installed in Tulfes, Austria. Photograph courtesy of AGRU Austria Ponds are useful in a variety of functions, serving in processes such as water treatment, thermal storage, farming and more. Regardless of their function, one of the most important considerations in pond design is containment. Containment is often handled through compacted clay […]

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GSI to host webinar on geosynthetics in heap leach mining

July 28th, 2021

Photograph courtesy of Seaman Corp. The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) will sponsor a webinar, “Geosynthetic Applications Used in Heap Leach Mining,”on August 11, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT. Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) member companies and their employees receive discounted rates on all GSI webinar and short course registrations. The chemical extraction of precious metals […]

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