Christopher honored with 2018 Koerner award and lecture series
February 1st, 2019
The Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA), led by a Koerner awardee selection task force, chose Barry R. Christopher, Ph.D., P.E., as the recipient of the 2018 Robert M. Koerner Award and Lecture Series. The award and lecture series is named for Robert M. Koerner, Ph.D., the founder and director emeritus of the Geosynthetic Institute and professor […]
The magic of water and geosynthetics
February 1st, 2019
Water is a fundamental issue in many projects using geosynthetics. From erosion control to reservoir liners and covers, from landfill leachate pond barriers to coal ash dewatering, handling water and the effects of water are considerations nearly every engineer employing geosynthetics considers. Geosynthetics can effectively manage water applications of erosion control, reinforcement, barriers, filtration and […]
The many applications for geosynthetics in the energy sector
October 1st, 2018
The opportunities for geosynthetics in energy applications are nearly endless. There are huge energy categories, such as oil, natural gas and coal, but geosynthetics also play a role in nuclear energy, hydropower, wind power and solar power, among others. Geosynthetics line storage tanks, support roads to remote sites, line tailings ponds, provide filtration, dewater coal […]
Barry R. Christopher honored with 2018 Koerner award and lecture series
September 11th, 2018
The Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA), led by a Koerner awardee selection task force, selected Barry R. Christopher, Ph.D., P.E., as the recipient of the 2018 Dr. Robert M. Koerner Award and Lecture Series. The award and lecture series is named for Dr. Robert M. Koerner, Ph.D., the founder and director emeritus of the Geosynthetic Institute […]
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 […]
Talking geosynthetics with Congressman Bruce Westerman
August 1st, 2018
One of the few professional engineers in Congress, Republican Rep. Bruce Westerman of Arkansas pulls no punches when discussing the potential use of geosynthetics in federal infrastructure projects. “I think geosynthetics should be part of the toolkit,” Westerman said during a phone interview with Geosynthetics magazine on May 19. First elected to Congress in 2014 […]
Geosynthetics need to be part of the infrastructure package
June 1st, 2018
In its 2017 Infrastructure Report Card, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) gave U.S. infrastructure a grade of D+. Not good. The sector report card on American roads faired even worse, earning a D, while TRIP, a national transportation research group based in Washington, D.C., says 32% of major urban American roads had pavement […]
Editorial: Geomembranes and water
April 1st, 2018
The World Health Organization (WHO) asserts that a clean water supply is “fundamental to global health.” WHO estimates that considerable exposure worldwide to contraction of many waterborne diseases and conditions (diarrhea, malaria, malnutrition, parasites, bacterial infections, etc.) could be diminished by increasing access to safe drinking water, improving sanitation and hygiene, and improving water management. […]
Geosynthetics and erosion control
February 1st, 2018
Terra firma often does not morph in ways that modern society appreciates. Erosion from stormwater, snowmelt, long-term water flow and unrelenting waves sweep away soil and rock from steep slopes, riverbanks, ditches, channels, shorelines, building foundations and much more. To understand the power of erosion, simply think about the Grand Canyon, which was formed by […]
Recap of the 2017 GMA Spring Lobby Day
August 1st, 2017
‘Here, sir, the people govern.’ Alexander Hamilton said these words in 1788, remarking on the U.S. House of Representatives during debate on the adoption of the Constitution. At the time, the United States system of government was unique in a monarchical world. Even today, America’s experiment with democracy makes it impossible to go to Capitol […]