Containment

ASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics has revised Standard D6243, "Standard Test Method for Determining the Internal and Interface Shear Resistance of Geosynthetic Clay Liner by the Direct Shear Method," to D6243-09. The procedure described in this test method for the shear resistance for the GCL or the GCL interface is intended as a performance test to provide the user with a set of design values for the test conditions examined. Learn more here.;

Ireland-based FLI Environmental is known in the geosynthetics field for its supply and installation expertise. But the firm is also active in alternative energy development. FLI formed 3NRG to further this field with a particular emphasis on waste to energy projects. Read an article on how a former landfill in the United Kingdom is being transformed into a power source with FLI's insight. Learn more here.;

The Welsh seaside town of Aberaeron has experienced significant erosion along and around its seawall defenses, in part because the defense system was out-of-date, and in part because the land behind it was so low. Regular overtopping required a constant repair process. But a new revetment scheme set on geotextile separation fabrics aims to defuse wave energy and prevent the land beneath from washing out. Learn more here.;

Iran has announced that it has launched its first underground natural gas storage facility. The Qom reservoir, which is located in the Sarajeh region, has the capacity to store 3.3 billion cubic meters of natural gas a year. Iran has the world's second largest gas reserves after Russia but has struggled for years to develop its oil and gas resources. Learn more here.;

The International Erosion Control Association (IECA Region One) rarely enjoys a quiet moment. The organization is very active in education, event management, and general promotion of expert and issues...

In the opening column to the International Geosynthetics Society's IGS News (Volume 29, Issue 2), IGS President Jorge Zornberg notes, "The conferences of the IGS have played a remarkable...

Tens of thousands of miles of aging sewer and water treatment systems need extensive repairs and upgrades that could cost New York billions in the next two decades, an expensive undertaking even with the help of federal stimulus funding, according to state officials. New York's Department of Environmental Conservation found sewage-treatment infrastructure around the state is aging out and in need of an estimated $36.2 billion in repairs over the next 20 years. A similar state Health Department study estimated that drinking water infrastructure is in need of approximately $38 billion in repairs over 20 years. Read more in the Washington Post. Learn more here.;

Maryland Environmental Service (MES) owns and maintains the Midshore Regional Solid Waste System in a region that serves 140,000 residents on the eastern shore of Maryland's Chesapeake Bay. The...

The International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) is holding its first-ever photo competition. Members should keep an eye on the deadline date: 1 February 2010. This initiative comes just ahead of the planned April 2010 launch of the redesigned IGS website and May 2010's major, quadrennial IGS conference: 9ICG. The 9th International Conference on Geosynthetics will be held 23-27 May 2010 in Guaruja, Brazil (near São Paulo).

"Geosynthetics Evolved" is the credo of the newest manufacturer to enter the geosynthetics industry. SYNTEC, based in Baltimore, MD, is a newly formed company with many familiar faces. In a recent transaction, SYNTEC acquired the environmental division of TENAX Corporation. Read more about this new venture.

The troubled Union-Go Dairy in Winchester, Indiana has finally resolved the problem of whales (“bubbles”) in the 21-million-gallon manure lagoon’s liner. It wasn’t a joke: on April Fool’s Day, engineers moved about the lagoon on flat-bottom boats and slowly released the gas from each swollen whale. A tube and valve device was used to minimize risk of an explosive release. Learn more here.;

SKZ's 2nd International Conference on Geosynthetics Middle East will be held in Dubai, UAE, 10-11 November 2009. The speaker and topic line up is certainly an impressive list. Ian Peggs of I-CORP will present on predicting end-of-life for high-density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembranes and the incorporation of flexible solar cells on exposed landfill caps; Carl De Leon of Solmax will present on geomembrane liners in harsh, petrochemical containment operations; Detlef Schramm of Dow will present a geomembrane global review; Silke Schwöbken of SENSOR will present on drainage detection systems; and much more. Dr. Helmut Zanzinger will chair the seminar. Download the program in PDF.

The 9th International Conference on Geosynthetics (9ICG) Brazil - 2010 will provide an opportunity to learn about and discuss highly technical and scientific geosynthetics issues and their solutions. A primary objective of the conference is to present the most recent developments, improvements and new technologies from the international geosynthetics community. The IGS Brasil (Brazilian Association of Geosynthetics) and ABMS (Brazilian Association of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering) will organize the conference under the auspices of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) in association with the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE) and with the support of the ABINT (Brazilian Association of Nonwoven and Technical Textiles). Read more.

SAN DIEGO - Layfield Environmental Containment, a worldwide leader in floating cover technology, is pleased to announce the recent award of a contract to fabricate and install a new...

The long-running geosynthetics CQA Week training courses from TRI Environmental return 10 - 14 May 2021 in an online format. The live, online format has been a quick success,...

The 10th International Conference on Geosynthetics (10 ICG) will be held 21-24 September 2014 in Berlin, Germany. This quadrennial conference from the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) will be hosted by the IGS Germany chapter and co-located with the German Geotechnical Society 2014 conference. Abstracts are invited through 15 May 2013. Learn more and upload your abstract via the online submission system.

The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports that Propex will shift its corporate focus to erosion control. In addition to civil and environmental engineering solutions like erosion control blankets and mats and geotextiles, the company has a long history of producing products such as carpet backing. But Propex, like many companies, suffered during the economic recession, and its carpet backing business has recovered to only about one-third of its previous height as that industry completely changed. Today, Propex's civil engineering solutions are growing and returning the company to strength. Learn more here.;

In a January 14 press release, Heytex Group announced its acquisition on BondCote. Heytex is involved in geosynthetics through the industrial side of the market. The company has established...

Rebecca McWatters from Queens University (Canada) won the 2009 North American Geosynthetics Society (NAGS) student paper competition. The award was announced in February at the Geosynthetics 2009 conference in Salt Lake City, Utah. McWatters' paper, "Diffusive Transport of VOCs through a Co-Extruded Geomembrane with a Nylon Barrier for use in Landfill Cover and Contaminant Barrier Systems," was judged on the content and her presentation at the conference. She is working for a PhD under the direction of Professor R. Kerry Rowe at Queens University. Read more about the award.

More than 40 civil and geotechnical engineering professors from across the US and Canada gathered in Austin, Texas in late July to take part in the Educate the Educators™...

The Minnesota Erosion Control Association (MECA) has extended the deadline for the MECA awards to January 31. If you know of an individual, group, company or organization that should be recognized, please complete the nomination form. Categories include the Innovation Award, Industry Leadership, Environmental Excellence, Environmental Leadership, and the MECA Recognition Award. Learn more. Learn more here.;

From the arrival of the Romans to the Saxons and Normans clashing upon the shore, and from the Spanish Armada to Napolean and two World Wars, England has a...

Earthmate Geosynthetics has taken the next step to facilitate its expansion in the European market by earning the CE Mark for its geogrids. Testing was conducted by the independent laboratory BTTG, which is based in the United Kingdom. The current testing values and certification is good until 23 December 2011. Learn more here.;

From 16 – 18 June 2014, the Honduran Chapter of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) will hold that country’s First National Conference on Geosynthetics (Honduras 2014). This is a...

A levee in Wood River, Illinois near St. Louis, Missouri is causing some concern for the US Army Corp of Engineers after a leak was discovered. Sand boils have been found in the structure, indicating the seepage has caused hydrostatic pressure to build up and is threatening the levee's stability from the inside outward. Various repair plans are being discussed. Learn more here.;