Special Series

GMA Geomembrane Focus Group meeting will be held in conjunction with the GRI conference. The meeting will take place on 12/12/01 from 8:00am to 2:00pm at the Hotel Sofitel in Houston, TX

Stevens Geomembranes has developed a new CD-ROM Technical "Binder" which will be ready for distribution in the next few weeks. For more information call 1-800-861-2281 ext. 1003.

CETCO, announced rollout of its new CETCO-Lining Technologies Engineering Website.

The annual Buyer’s Guide issue of Technical Textiles International has now been published. The Buyer’s Guide 2002 contains a listing of over 1300 companies and related organisations worldwide, together with full contact details and contact names. The companies are also indexed according to location and the products they make or services they supply. This means it is easy to find local companies which can supply materials, equipment, services, etc. Subscribers to Technical Textiles International will find the Buyer’s Guide in the December 2002 issue of the magazine. Nonsubscribers can buy the issue separately for GBP65 or USD 98 by emailing sales@intnews.com.

GSA editorial on lab updates Heard at the labs: Some labs are doing shear tests (in addition to peel tests) on each track of double track seams of geomembrane liners. Naturally they are charging twice as much as for single shear tests on both seams. While this is one way for the labs to increase their revenues it is of doubtful benefit in assessing the quality of the seam. It has been my contention for some time that measurement of seam strength provides little useful information anyway, but nothing of any practical importance can be gained by testing each track. Only adjacent geomembrane ductility is important in the shear test. In-service shear stresses only act across both tracks. Peel test are done on each track to assess the quality of the bond on each track and since peeling stresses can be applied to each track in service. The same does not apply to shear stresses. I don't believe it is necessary to do a shear test on each track. Geosynthetica.net offers space for an opposing point of view. Labs are fighting the commodity pricing philosophy of testing just as much as manufacturers and installers. However, we now have over 20 independent labs that are accredited under the GAI-LAP. These labs have quality procedures and documentation in place in line with ISO 9002, and soon ISO 9000 and 1SO 17025 standards, to assure quality data for their clients. It is costly to have these systems in place. GAI-LAP accreditation is surely justification for these labs charging higher testing rates. And when a sample is shown to be outside specifications these results from a GAI-LAP lab should be believed without question. The staff at these labs will review data, and check any results that do not meet industry specification before they are sent out, just to ensure that they are not in error. The practice of requiring the lab to repeat tests that fail, at no cost, should not be necessary. If retesting is required the requester should be prepared to pay for them. For example, in a recent situation a lab was asked to repeat a set of failing tests (at their own cost) and the project engineer sent a duplicate set of samples to a second lab. Thinking ahead, the first lab also sent samples to yet a third lab. The first lab and the third lab both got the same failing results as generated during the first tests. The second lab was able to get passing results!! However, when faced with the three sets of reproducible passing results, the second lab found errors that resulted in incorrect data! Test results can be the basis of some very costly decisions - surely it is worth paying a little more to be assured you have reliable data - the first time? Ian D. Peggs I-CORP INTERNATIONAL, Inc.

To meet the demand of geomembrane stress cracking testing in the UK, Geotrac Rapide is building a 42 station Notched Constant Tensile Load testing machine to perform tests according to the ASTM D5397 standard. A unique feature of this equipment will be web cams used to monitor the strain response of specimens and to record break times. It is understood that there have been a number of failures in the UK of European manufactured HDPE geomembranes to meet the 200 hr and 400 hr break times in project specifications. It may be interesting to evaluate the different methods of determining stress cracking resistance

International Association of Geosynthetic Installers (IAGI) is making many changes as management and elected officials change: Compelled to really "get things going" IAGI is making some significant changes in operation. IFAI has terminated contract with IAGI and Laurie Honnigford has been retained as the new manager. We got a note from Mr. Haddox telling us that "she's (Laurie) already got us moving again." Frank Taylor has resigned as president of IAGI, Robert Haddox has been placed in the position of interim president. Members can expect to see nomination forms soon, 2 or 3 seats on the Board will need to be filled. Other things to expect from the newly invigorated IAGI: Newsletter, Emphasis on the Certification Program and a face to face board meeting at GRI in December!

IFAI Exhibition/Korea- Approximately 80 registrants attended the GSI-Korea Seminar 2001 in Seoul on 9 October for Dr. I. D. Peggs' presentation "Geomembrane Liners for resource and environmental protection: Ensuring Long Term Performance" Prof. H-Y Jeon also outlined the structure, development, and activities of GSI-Korea. After the seminar Peggs, Jeon, and You Kyum Kim from the FITI testing laboratory visited Deuk Wha Lee at the GECO Industrial Co., LTD plant to discuss the broad uniaxial LLDPE coated PET tie back web that will soon be modified into a very strong, high modulus patented geogrid. Discussions were also held with Duek Wha Lee, Director of Sewon Geosyntech on their dense rigid nonwoven geotextiles specially developed for the puncture protection of geomembranes. These will become the basis of three-layer "smart" geotextile composites planned for reinforcement/drainage and puncture protection/drainage.

Gigsa is organising an afternoon site visit to the Holfontein Waste Site, Springs on 11/1/01. Gigsa is organizing an afternoon site visit to the Holfontein Waste Site, An informative presentation on this new design technique will be provided and followed by a site inspection. For more information contact Rod Drayton aqua@aquatan.co.za

7th International Conference on Geosynthetics: Graduate Student Paper Competion: Gigsa calls on all students to participate in the IGS Student Awards Program for submitting a paper on geotextiles, geomembranes or any related products.

Geosynthetics 2003 will be held 10-13 February 2003 at the Cobb Galleria in Atlanta. It will be a very different event than in the past. It will not be sponsored by NAGS but only by IFAI and GMA. The emphasis will not be on technical papers subjected to peer review but on "How to ---" sessions and the "proceedings" will be a book with different "How to ----" chapters written by invited practical experts. Dave Suits will be chairman of the conference. Exhibitors will have the opportunity to present their own mini-workshops/seminars. The conference will be heavily promoted internationally. Look out for further details in early September. Contact dfettig@ifai.com. This perhaps opens the door for NAGS and the Geo-Institute to introduce a more scientific geosynthetics conference.

High-Energy Treatment of Tubing & Molded Parts - E-Beam Services reports that plastic tubing and molded parts processed by means of the company's high-energy electron-beam process can replace more expensive engineered products in automotive under-the-hood applications. Such parts are said to exhibit outstanding performance and durability, as well as temperature and chemical resistance.E-Beam's high-energy process permanently alters the polymeric matrix by converting the material to a crosslinked polyethylene (PE) or PEX, the company explains. Utilizing electron beam technology, the process does not change product formulation or processing, E-Beam notes-unlike many thermochemical processing methods, electron beam crosslinking is performed on the fully formed component or product. Automotive design engineers can used this crosslinking process on HDPE tubing and molded parts to provide in-service temperatures as high as 120C, E-Beam says, noting that, in comparison untreated HDPE tubing normally withstands in-service temperatures of approx. 60C. In addition to improving performance temperatures, the process is also said to increase thermal stability under load. When tested at 80C, PEX tubing performs at 870 psi, while untreated HDPE tubing fails at 670 psi, according to E-Beam Services. Enhancements are also said to include increased tensile strength; increased impact resistance; improved resistance to slow crack growth and environmental stress crack; reduced rapid crack propagation; and improved resistance to oils, petroleum and solvents.

360 Abstracts from over 50 countries have been accepted for the Seventh International Conference on Geosynthetics in Nice France on 9/22/02 through 9/27/02. For more information on this conference: http://7icg-nice2002.com

A new fast method for locating leaks in landfill caps uses a multi-channel IR analyzer (in conjunction with a GPS system) to monitor for methane, carbon dioxide, and non-methane hydrocarbons, several times per second A 15 acre landfill cap was surveyed on parallel tracks 5 ft apart in one day. https://www.geosynthetica.net/news/locating_leaks_in_landfills.asp

Each issue of the newsletter, will be available on the IGS web site to download (http://igs.rmc.ca) The elctronic file of the newsletter will be in "pdf" format, which can be opened using the free software, Adobe Acrobat Reader. To download this software go to http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

Eastman has developed several new high-quality, environmentally responsible specialty polymers, including Eastar Bio Copolyester 14766. Eastar Bio copolyester is a biodegradable traslucent polymer that can be blown or cast into a tough film, spun into fibers and netting, or injection-molded when combined with other materials. According to the company, the product fully degrades to CO2, H20, and biomass. Within 60 to 90 days in an active microbial environment, the polymer (in thin0film form) becomes invisible ot the unaided eye and ultimately biodegrades. Practical applications include limited service-life products such as yard and leaf bags and geotextiles. The company touts the light weight of Eastar bio copolyester bags, which hold up under wet conditions, as well as their dart and tear resistance, heat-sealability, and the product's soft texture. The thermoplastic resin contains no migratory plasticizers, fillers or additives and leaves no harmful residues. For more information visit: htpp://www.eastman.com

Results of liner leak location surveys

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabric Industry, Cary, NC, has released 2000 Analysis: The Nonwovens Industry in North America, which provides a comprehensive, up-to-date look at the field of nonwovens. The report offers an overview of North American nonwovens' consumption (valued at $3.8 billion in 2000), a study of the roll-goods markets by end-use, information and long-life market, goetextiles, a look at the state and changing positions of nonwoven processes (needlepunch, spunlace, etc.), and a review of the year's top 10 roll-goods producers. INDA offers a discounted price to its members. For more information, contact INDA, P.O. Box 1288, Cary, NC 27512, 919-233-1210, website: http://www.inda.org

IFAI's Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) is a unique consensus-building organization that promotes the technical and economic benefits of geosynthetics to the user community and, in turn, assists in building stronger civil infrastructures in a cost-efficient manner. Since its inception, GMA has focused on developing cost-effective, yet innovative ways to reach new and existing markets for geosynthetic materials and concepts. For more information, contact Danette Fettig: drfettig@ifai.com, website: http://www.ifai.com

Andrew Russo has been named national sales and engineering manager for the company's Engineered Membranes Division, Peter has been promoted to national sales manager for Cooley Sign & Digital Products, Elise Varone has been named national accounts manager and Mary Varao has been named account manager.

A Market Survey and Analysis, market size, historical data, forecasts to 2004, market shares, company profiles, and competitive information. Included in the table of contents are: Polyethylenes, Polypropylene, Industry sources of Information, Directory of 1503 Plastics Companies and Cross Reference. Also available in cd rom or book are: Adhesives and Sealants USA (2/00) and Packaging USA (6/97). Visit http://www.impactmarket.com for ordering information. Learn more here.;

PVC Geomembrane Institute Tech Notes this month discusses a new Brown Bag program being designed by the institute for Engineering students. University of Illinois student working on the durability of PVC geomembrane for his Ph.D. If you would like to read more about these topics or to receive the Tech Notes e-news letter monthly please e-mail: pgi@ce.uiuc.edu

Effective July 2, 2201 ACASPA's new details are: Level 1, 141 Chapel Street, St. Kilda, Vic 3182, Telephone 03-9593-9733, fax 03-9593-8033, Email: acaspa@alphalink.com.au, Web: www.acaspa.com.au, National Number: 1-300-555-787. Please update your records

Call for Papers for the International Symposium on Clay Geosynthetic Barriers, April 16-17, 2002, in Nuremberg, Bavaria. The abstracts must be sufficiently detailed to allow the experts to assess the scientific and technical merit of the proposed paper; especially the relevance of the results obtained and the contribution they make towards advances in the application of Clay Geosynthetic Barriers and the related system in which they function. These papers must be related to original, previously unpublished work and must not be of commercial nature. Papers are to be written in English. Deadline for receiving abstracts: August 21, 2001, Decision of Organizing Committee sent to authors: September 30, 2001, and Deadline for receiving completed papers: December 15, 2001. The aims of this International Symposium on Clay Geosynthetic Barriers is to offer an opportunity for exchanges on a high scientific and technical level between experts in the various disciplines related to Clay Geosynthetic Barriers., The conference will be the ideal occasion to obtain on overview of the multiple applications of Clay Geosynthetic Barriers in all fields of use.

The worldwide industrial nonwoven business and manufacturing units of BBA Nonwovens have been integrated to form the Industrial Nonwovens Division, which will be based in Old Hickory, TN. The six global business units within the new division include Construction and Agricultural Products; Industrial Products; and Technical Specialties and Filtration. BBA will focus its industrial operations and more effectively exploit its synergies and global opportunities in the industrial nonwovens area. BBA Industrial Nonwovens GmbH, part of BBA Nonwovens, has expanded its line of filtration media. The "UltraFlo" range of filtration media now includes new melt blown offline SMS, offline TMS (Typar/Tekton, melt blown, spunbond) and pure high quality spunbond products. Also new are needlefelt nonwovens and high electrical conductivity products.