Containment

The latest issue of Water & Wastes Digest includes Mark Oriol's article on protecting pipes with engineered liners and coatings. He underscores quickly just how major of a need this preventative measure is: there are nearly 1.2 million miles of sewer lines in the United States alone. Among the liners he highlights you'll find GSE's StudLiner, a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) embedment liner that uses extruded studs rather than ribs for anchor points. A system of this sort can deliver more than 50 years of service. Learn more here.;

ASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics has published a work item, WK26895 "Revision of D5261-92(2009) Standard Test Method for Measuring Mass per Unit Area of Geotextiles." Learn more here.;

GeoAfrica 2017 will be held between 08-11 October 2017 in Marrakech, Morocco. This major event marks the 3rd African Regional Conference on Geosynthetics. To be held under the auspices of...

Ignorance about the details of a key standard for ground engineering could lead to on-site disputes when it becomes effective in April 2010, NCE reports. A lack of training among smaller consultants and a general lack of awareness of the details of Eurocode 7 (EC7) and supporting documents such as execution standards are behind the fears. Learn more here.;

AGRU’s 2018 first quarter is off to a strong start. The company’s XXL Pipe Production Facility in South Carolina equipped to extrude the world’s largest high-density polyethylene pipe. The...

ASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics has announced work item WK36298, "New Test Method for Long Term Efficiency of Drainage Geocomposites." The work item's scope notes that it is intended to determine the potential loss of efficiency caused by biological or chemical growth which can develop in a drainage geocomposite; and to obtain an indication that both the filter and the core of a drainage geocomposite will remain functional over an extended period of time. Proof of leachate collection layer performance is key to the work item. Learn more here.;

The Sunshine Coast council in Australia is debating how to save its eroding Noosa Spit. After mixed feedback and considerable discussion, the council seems to be leaning towards the installation of an artificial reef made of geotextile bags. The council first reported considering this option in August 2009. Learn more here.;

After a series of well-received engineering webinars in September and October on canal lining, international geosynthetics manufacturer HUESKER is enhancing its education schedule with three free webinars in December....

The Klamath River along the California - Oregon border is the site of numerous 100-year-old dams. Proposals seem to be advancing, though, towards dismantling the power-oriented structures in order to free up more irrigation water. Plenty of erosion control, stabilization and containment technologies will be needed if this water rerouting project goes forth. It's still a ways away. Learn more here.;

The Business Times reports on NAUE's new Bentofix GCL factory in Malaysia. Learn more here.;

The Federation of International Geo-Engineering Societies (FedIGS) is a collaborative endeavor that brings together four major geotechnical societies. FedIGS facilitates interaction between these learned societies’ members, promotes common interests,...

The town of Ayer, Massachusetts is in contentious talks with Pan Am Railway over the company's construction of a railway area. The company was hesitant to provide samples of the crushed concrete in a rail car standing area, and the town was upset that a containment liner was not installed beneath the standing zone. Learn more here.;

Christine Basile has returned as staff manager for ASTM International Committee D35 on Geosynthetics. Her contact information is cbasile@astm.org, +1 610 832 9728. Learn more here.;

The International Geosynthetics Society Vice President, Dr. Nathalie Touze, delivered an inspiring Giroud Lecture at the 11th International Conference on Geosynthetics (September 2018, Seoul). The lecture’s topic was “Healing...

When gas gets under a geomembrane, operations-impairing bubbles can form. A number of reasons may be responsible, such as installation damage, poor seaming, or a lack of appropriate construction quality assurance (CQA) measures like liner integrity surveys. These bubbles are commonly referred to as "whales," and they can impact wastewater facilities, manure lagoons, ponds and other lined installations. As this photo demonstrates, even 6 in. (150 mm) thick concrete slabs are insufficient ballast to prevent whales due to trapped air and rising groundwater under a geomembrane liner. Read more.

Following the historic and overwhelmingly bipartisan passage in the US House and Senate of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA), Geosynthetica’s Chris Kelsey talked to Boyd Ramsey,...

The state of Wyoming is not alone in the need to evaluate and potentially remediate old, unlined landfills. The American waste management sector has continually scored the highest grades in the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) infrastructure "report cards." This is largely due to the geosynthetic liners required in modern landfills. But old landfills, pre-code, are another matter. Wyoming estimates it may need $225 million over 20 years to address problems. A new facility in Casper is helping ease waste management needs. Learn more here.;

geosynthetica posts its first CEN Standards Watch: a breakdown of the standards currently under development or up for approval with Europe-based CEN's Technical Committee 189 (CEN/TC 189), which focuses on geosynthetics. Other important groups will be monitored as we move forth in this tracking of international standards formation. Read the first update here.

The explosion in Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) structures designed and installed in the last 20 years has revolutionized the grade separation solutions used in site development construction. Accompanying this dramatic growth (or because of it) there has been an increasing frequency of MSE structure failure (excessive deformation and collapse) despite the fact that we know properly engineered and constructed MSE structures are capable of achieving what we are designing them to do. A new MSE Inspector Training and Optional Certification Exam will be held May 22 at TRI Environmental's Denver Downs Research Facility in Anderson, South Carolina. Read more in this preview.

Organizers for Geosynthetics Asia 2012 (GA2012) have shared a recap from December's event, which marked the 5th Asian Regional Conference on Geosynthetics (GA2012). The theme "Geosynthetics for Sustainable Adaptation to Climate Change" was well-supported by the technical sessions, sponsoring companies, and distinguished speakers. Learn more.

The Geosynthetics Interest Group of South Africa (GIGSA), which is a chapter of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS), has published the October GIGSA Newsletter. This edition features stories on a new nonwoven manufacturer in South Africa, geocontainers for erosion control, the historical use of geotextiles in the Namibian road system, and more.

The International Erosion Control Association (IECA) will hold a number of full-day courses on February 25 during Environmental Connection 2014. The full conference takes place 25-28 February 2014 in...

Precision Geosynthetic Laboratories International (PGLI) has been approved by the City of Los Angeles for the testing of Waterproofing Membranes and Methane Barriers. They are the first and only laboratory approved for Waterproofing Membranes and Methane Barrier. Their Test Agency permit number is TA 24784. They are capable of performing all of the tests required by the Los Angeles Department of Building Services for both Waterproofing Membranes and Methane Barriers.

The annual Waterproof Membranes conference from AMI returns 17 – 19 November 2015 at the Maritim Hotel in Bonn, Germany. The conference organizers have just released the program for...

Mark Harris and Steve Eckhart, both of whom are veterans of GSE Environmental, will take on new roles with the company. The company announced these key position organizational changes...