Containment

The International Geosynthetics Society has published IGS News Volume 32, Issue. Here, in its conclusive issue for the 2016 year, the IGS promotes its new website, connects...

Andrew Aho, Executive Director of the Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA), writes: "Geotextile manufacturers are keen to update the specifying community regarding specifications that are outdated and no longer acceptable in the industry. Two tests retired by industry approval standards continue to creep into the occasional specification: the Mullen Burst Test and the Puncture Strength Test. The Mullen test was devised in 1887 by J.W. Mullen as a measure for the puncture strength of paper. Eventually it was adopted by the textile industry along with the Puncture Strength Text. In the 1970s these tests were available to the geotextile industry." Read more, including an open letter to specifiers of geosynthetics.

The first of three CUGR reservoirs is the 843 acre R-2 basin. When completely filled it can contain more than 9 billion gallons of water! The water will be pumped from the Scioto River by 4 vertical turbine pumps, each capable of pumping 40 million gallons of water per day through the 20,000 foot long, 72 inch pipeline from the pump station to the reservoir. The reservoir is being lined with 37 million square feet of 40 mil polypropylene geomembrane liner fabricated and installed by EPI.

TRI/Environmental has steadily (often quietly) added to its testing and training business over the years, but 2008 may have its most significant. New hires (including industry veteran Rich Lacey) have strengthened the efficiency and skill of TRI's work; new testing equipment has greatly expanded the company's capabilities, especially in geotechnical areas; TRI has achieved AASHTO's American Materials Research Laboratory (AMRL) certification; electrical resistivity testing training continues with participants coming from all over the world; the Denver Downs large-scale testing facility is maturing; and much more. It's been an important 2008 and bodes well for a strong future. Read TRI's annual letter for the full story.

In business news, Raven Industries, which has a very strong geosynthetics and engineered films division, reported 17% growth in the second quarter. Learn more here.;

The French construction publication, BTP, has posted an article about the importance of geotextiles and geocomposites in roadway improvement, such as for the reduction of reflective cracking and subgrade improvement through reducing water incursion and the mixing of fines. In particular, the publication cites TenCate's products currently being used in the French market. Read the article today (in French only). Learn more here.;

The PA Department of Environmental Protection announced today that Chief Oil and Gas LLC has paid $180,000 in civil penalties for a hydraulic oil spill and for failing to properly maintain a drill pit at a Marcellus Shale natural gas well in Jefferson Township, Somerset County. A June 10, 2010 site inspection by DEP found evidence of the discharge of hydraulic oil onto the ground. Operators are required to notify DEP of any spills of that nature because the oil is classified as a residual waste. Chief did not notify DEP of the spill and was not permitted to discharge residual waste at the site. Chief Oil and Gas has since successfully remediated the site.

The infrastructure of the United States received horrible grades in the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 2005 Report Card. As Rep. Heath Shuler's (D-NC) statement to the House Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Water Resources and the Environment hearing on the Water Resources Development Act of 2008 pointed out, the only passing grade given to the American infrastructure by ASCE was for waste management--the one sector in which geosynthetic technologies are required for use. ASCE estimates that it will take $1.6 trillion over 5 years to properly upgrade the troubled infrastructure. Organizations such as the Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) are now working with lobbyists to bring these issues straight to legislators' desks. And on Thursday, February 14, the US Senate Banking Committee interviewed Treasury Secretary Paulson and Federal Bank Chairman Ben Bernanke about the US economy. Senators Dodd (D-CN) and Hagel (R-NB) both expressed concern about the state of the US infrastructure and how an economic slowdown could make the US fall even further behind the world in modernizing the infrastructure system. What we should take from it all is this: modern infrastructures need modern materials. The waste management's industry engineers and regulators have understood this and adapted. Keep an eye on infrastructure and legislation news developments here at geosynthetica, follow the updates to ASCE's report card, and take a look at ASCE's infrastructure blog.

The 11th International Conference on Geosynthetics, organized by the International Geosynthetics Society’s Korean Chapter, will be held in Seoul, South Korea 16 – 21 September 2018. The Young IGS Members...

By Bruno Pedroni and Chris Kelsey – The BW Expo is Brazil's most important gathering for service and technology presentations regarding the sustainable management of wastes, water, wastewater, energy,...

GSE Environmental is enjoying a very active year. In February, the company was awarded a patent for its CoalDrain geocomposite, which is designed specifically for work with coal...

W. CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — 28 March 2014 — ASTM International Committee D35 on Geosynthetics has established a new award in honor of L. David Suits, executive director of the North American Geosynthetic Society,...

In Southern Illinois, soy farmers, university researchers and others are examining how to beneficially reuse old strip mines (of which that region has many) for supporting fish farm operations. With tens of thousands of acres available to develop into fish farming habitats, they estimate that more than 50 million pounds of fish can be harvested. This industry could also utilize the state's plentiful soy production in fish feed. Learn more here.;

As supplies drop and demand rises, governments, companies and individuals look for cost-effective ways to save a limited resource. Geosynthetics are playing a strong role in containment projects for reservoirs, ponds, canals and more. The magazine Specialty Fabrics Review takes a look at some projects and players. Learn more here.;

The IGS India promoted workshop: Applications of Geosynthetics - Present and Future” was held 20-21 September 2007 in Gandhinagar (Gujarat), India. Read a review sent by A.C. Gupta, Treasurer, Indian Chapter of IGS.

The Green Bay Press Gazette reports on the growing acceptance of anaerobic digesters on farms. The average cost of $1.5 million has limited adoption, but as more farms adopt them and more systems are developed, costs are coming down and beneficial power generation revenue is realized. Geomembrane containment liners are gaining greater acceptance, though greater awareness of the potential is needed, the Press reports. Learn more here.;

CQA Solutions’ Glen Toepfer has made a name in the field through elevating construction quality assurance not just on site but in conference discussions and in publications. On Uncontained,...

Raven Industries Engineered Films Division announces the opening of their new Technology Solutions Center within their Sioux Falls, SD operation. The Center will provide full-spectrum product development through extensive research, analysis, processing and optimization of new product formulations. The Technology Solutions Center houses two state-of-the-art pilot extrusion lines. Read more.

The focus of the U.S. Government-funded Millennium Challenge Account Armenia Program (MCA-Armenia) is rehabilitation of Armenia’s vital irrigation infrastructure complemented with extensive technical and financial assistance to rural farmers and to the government irrigation entities that support them. Public Radio of Armenia reports that a December 3 workshop on agricultural applications included discussion geomembrane utilization in irrigation canal rehabilitation.

By Daniele Cazzuffi – RemTech 2013 will be held 18-20 September 2013 in Ferrara, Italy. This marks the 7th edition of a growing international event focused on remediation technologies. The...

Scott Barker of the Knoxville News Sentinel has published a nice update to the Kingston, Tennessee coal ash spill from December 2008. That reservoir break released 5.4 million cubic yards of contaminated fly ash. Some 25,000 pages of TVA records from the facility have been released and tell an interesting story of a dredge pond suffering continual leaks and breaks for decades. Cleanup may exceed $800 million. Learn more here.;

For the erosion-ravaged coast along Noosa Spit in Australia, tenders for the $1.6 million council first-stage plans, which involves geotextile bags and rock groyne, close this week. Learn more here.;

The Associated Press reports that another round of billions from the federal stimulus package in the United States will be released to the states over the summer. Among the many projects targeted, approximately 200 projects in rural waste and water systems will be performed by the US Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will expedite cleanup at 20 Superfund sites. US Vice President Joe Biden has added to the discussion that the stimulus work in the coming months will add roughly 600,000 jobs. A significant portion of those jobs will be part of the 1500 road projects aided by the next round of stimulus. Learn more here.;

Geosynthetica editor Chris Kelsey checks in with Lilma Schimmel, Head of Engineering for HUESKER North America. The company has a long history with geosynthetic composites. Market interest in enhancing...

On 1 November 2012, Dr.-Ing. F.- Hans Grandin took over as Managing Director of HUESKER Synthetic GmbH based in Gescher (Westphalia). Thus, after just ten months, Mr Grandin succeed Mr Wolfgang Huesker who, from now on, will return to devote his full attention to his tasks in the Advisory Board of the company. Established in 1861, HUESKER today is a company which pioneers the development and production of geosynthetics, agricultural and technical textiles for applications used throughout the world.