The Relative Sustainability Case for Geosynthetics in Roadways
The Geosynthetic Institute opened 2019 with its White Paper 41: “Relative Sustainability (i.e., Embodied Carbon) Calculations With Respect to Applications Using Traditional Materials Versus Geosynthetics.” The independent organization has returned...
Hydropower Project Realizes Huge Savings with Reinforced Soil
The newly constructed Arkun Dam hydropower facility on the Çoruh River (Turkey) would have been considerably more expensive if conventional concrete walls were used along the edges of the power station. NAUE Geosynthetics profiles the project and the reinforced earth option that was selected and which saved 40% on the cost for this portion of the project.
Sustainable Development Goals and Geosynthetics
This April, Geosynthetica is promoting 30 Days of Earth Day (#30DaysEarthDay). Each day we will publish stories on the intersections between geosynthetics and environmental protection, sustainable development, climate change,...
Giroud and Touze Interview – IGS Two for a Few
At the 11th International Conference on Geosynthetics (September 2018, Seoul), Dr. Nathalie Touze (Vice President, International Geosynthetics Society) delivered one of the most inspiring lectures the geosynthetics field had...
High-Strength Wicking Geotextile Stabilizes Detention Pond
The availability of high-strength wicking geotextile has been a fascinating development. From pond slope reinforcement to highway frost boil management, these materials have shown significant benefits. Here, John Folts...
GeoAmericas 2020 Rescheduled to Late October
GeoAmericas 2020 will be the 4th Pan-American Regional Conference on Geosynthetics. With COVID-19 concerns impacting travel around the world, large and small events alike have rescheduled to protect their participants...
GeoU Event Rescheduled to April 2021 Due to COVID-19
The global spread of the COVID-19 virus has caused events around the world to be rescheduled. The organizers of GeoU, which co-locates multiple geosynthetics short courses, are following suit....
Improved Soil Bearing Capacity for Minerals Storage Yard with Geocells
A major intermodal logistics facilities and solutions provider for global commodities transport sought to construct new warehouses at a site in Perú. However, poor foundation conditions--clay silt materials, high...
GeoU 2021 Update: In a Fast-Changing Field, You Can’t Sleep on Geo
GeoU 2021 will be held 20 - 23 April 2021 in Austin, Texas during what is annually the spring CQA Week events: dirty boots and high-level professional development that...
ISGPEG 2020 Honors Dr. Erol Güler
The International Conference on Innovative Solutions for Geotechnical Problems 2020 will be held 11 – 12 June 2020 in Istanbul, Turkey—the birthplace of renowned geosynthetics researcher Erol Güler. You...
High-Tenacity Polyester Linear Strips in Non-Standard MSE Structures
Extensible geostrip or strap reinforcement has been a fascinating topic in reinforced soil discussions, particularly over the past five years. It’s an older reinforcement technology, with inextensible metallic strip...
GSI Fellowships Continue to Have Extraordinary Impact on Geosynthetics
The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) has invested tens of thousands of dollars in its engineering research over the years, both in-house and with its GSI Fellowships program. The latter endeavor...
National Survey Underscores GeoU 2021’s Engineering Value
A late 2019 blind survey from CentralSquare of more than 5,000 participants found that Americans are overwhelmingly supportive of infrastructure improvements. In fact, 2/3 of respondents cited that infrastructure...
The Use of Geosynthetics in Mining Works
The use of geosynthetics in mining operations grows annually, as mining companies focus on the technical and economic advantages of geosynthetics. These materials have enabled more efficient barriers, stronger...
GeoU 2020 Reinforcement Course Adds Zornberg, Tutumluer, MacMillan
This article has been UPDATED (12 March 2020) to reflect the event’s new dates.
The organizers of GeoU 2020's reinforcement course have announced the additions of Dr. Jorge Zornberg, P.E....
Permanent Deformation and Stiffness of Fouled Ballast
Fouled ballast results in the degradation of mechanical properties of ballast and railway track instability. Seasonal dry-wet cycles increase the severity of the situation. In this latest addition to...
Polish Experiences with Geogrids in Soil Structures
The International Geosynthetics Society runs a series of high-level workshops that are organized by the IGS Technical Committees. Two of the major TCs are TC – Soil Reinforcement and...
Petrochemical Site Requires Unconventional Road Design on Soft Soils
Geosynthetics are used frequently to support roads that are built specifically for temporary or limited exposure to very heavy loads. This petrochemical installation project, first presented at GeoAmericas 2016...
Roadway Embankment Reconstruction after Extreme Weather
Composite reinforcement systems that combine geosynthetics with different facing systems and supports (steel mesh, soil anchors, etc.) have grown substantially in use. These systems enable very efficient construction of...
INTERVIEW: Mallick on Geosynthetic-Reinforced Chip Seal
A few years ago, I had the opportunity to interview Dr. Rajib Mallick of Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) who was about to deliver multiple papers at the annual TRB...
Implementation of Geotechnical Asset Management
While bridge and pavement conditions receive much of the media attention and legislative directives for transportation agencies, the value and performance of other assets are also important to the...
Bernardi to Lead Reinforced Soil Structures Course
Geosynthetic reinforced soil structures (GRSS) have had a highly beneficial impact on infrastructure throughout the world. GRSS strategies, materials, and designs enable more sustainable projects, steeper slopes, safer retaining...
Long-Term Outdoor Exposure Testing of Geosynthetics
During GeoAmericas 2016, K. Lin, A. Tang, and J. Wu detailed some ongoing exposure testing with geosynthetics in Taiwan. The results were somewhat unique in the field, due to...
Permanent and Resilient Deformation Behavior of Geogrid-Stabilized and Unstabilized Pavement Bases
Prajwol Tamrakar, Mark H. Wayne, and David J. White present field tests and results with Automated Plate Load Testing (APLT) to determine the permanent and resilient deformation behavior of...
The Benefits of Accelerated Pavement Testing on Infrastructure
Testing plays a vital role in the design and performance of transportation projects. Testing and monitoring improve infrastructure by providing valuable data before and after construction, allowing the designer...
