Geogrid reinforced soil structures reach new heights
June 1st, 2019
By Sachin Mandavkar and Mehari Weldu FIGURE 1 U.S. Route 460 RSS during construction Reinforced soil structures are geotechnical systems consisting of reinforcing elements and primarily include mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls and reinforced soil slopes (RSS) (Figure 1). MSE walls and RSS are constructed by placing alternating layers of reinforcement and compacted soil behind […]
Geosynthetics for reinforcement and stabilization
June 1st, 2019
Geosynthetics are widely used for reinforcement and stabilization, particularly in transportation-related applications, including base stabilization, reinforced soil slopes (RSS) and mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls. This issue of Geosynthetics considers many such applications from multiple viewpoints. Sachin Mandavkar and Mehari Weldu look at very tall MSE walls and RSS through several case studies in “Geogrid […]
MSE wall failures can be mitigated through the use of geotextile filters
April 1st, 2019
For the past 17 years, the Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) has been accumulating data on failures of geosynthetic reinforced mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) retaining walls. We presently have 320 cases, of which 201 (63%) have been caused in whole or part by water within, or adjacent to, the reinforced soil zone. We sincerely hope that our […]
GSI to host webinar on MSE inspection
March 15th, 2019
The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) will sponsor a webinar, “Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) Wall, Berm and Slope Construction Inspection,” on March 20, 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 inspection (aka monitoring) of MSE wall, […]
GSI to host webinar on MSE remediation and monitoring
February 28th, 2019
The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) will sponsor a webinar “MSE Wall Remediation and Monitoring,” on March 6, 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 database of failed MSE walls indicates that 44 out of […]
GSI to host webinar on back drainage design of MSE walls
February 5th, 2019
The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) will sponsor a webinar “MSE Wall: Back Drainage Design,” on Feb. 20, 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. Within GSI’s database of 320 failed mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls reinforced […]
2018 International Achievement Awards
February 1st, 2019
Recognizing design excellence in geosynthetics The International Achievement Awards, sponsored by the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI), recognize innovation, technical skill and design excellence in geosynthetic applications. The awards are an annual competition promoting awareness of the specialty fabrics used in thousands of products and applications ranging in size and shape. For more than 70 […]
GSI to host webinar on failed MSE walls
January 22nd, 2019
The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) will sponsor a webinar “A Data Base and Analysis of 320 Failed MSE Walls With Geosynthetic Reinforcement,” on Feb. 6, 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. Mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) […]
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 […]