Phobias make for interesting “rabbit hole” reading. Once you find a classical-looking, not-easily-pronounced, gigantic word—apologies to speakers of Greek—it becomes pretty easy to just keep clicking in search of more things you might start fearing if you don’t fear them (rationally) already. Phobias, however common, can complicate career choices. Hemophobia (fear of blood) would make a career as a surgeon...

For #ThrowbackThursday, we revisit the most popular project story on Geosynthetica from 2018. The story was originally published 29 January 2018, which gave Oriokot's article on the use of dewatering bags for desludging applications a good jump on its project story competition in that year; but, it needs to be pointed out that its first month of readership interest...

Concrete protection is an essential element in extending the lifespan of many critical pieces of infrastructure, such as in wastewater treatment facilities. Concrete protection liners (CPL) help prevent corrosive compounds and gases from damaging these structures. On September 10 at 2:00pm CDT, the International Association of Plastics Distribution (IAPD) will host a concrete protection liners webinar featuring AGRU America’s Ernie...

Start the week with the latest in the geoengineering world. Here's the GeoWire conversation for the week of September 7. WORK SMARTER. -- REMINDER -- Register Now for GeoVirtual 2020, September 14 - 16 ONLINE BIG IDEAS Climate change impact on sea levels and the expected increase in sea transport of freight may require ports to double or even quadruple their footprints....

"Resilience and Innovation" is the perfect theme for this year's annual conference of the Canadian Geotechnical Society. Originally scheduled for Winnipeg, the organizers moved the conference online to provide a safe learning and networking environment, due to the on-going pandemic and international travel restrictions. Renamed GeoVirtual 2020, the conference has retained its technical muscle and top-tier industry support. Be sure...

Geosynthetics provide a number of engineering solutions for airports, such as secondary containment for fuel depots, containment for deicing runoff, stormwater management, and runway and taxiway reinforcement. For runways and other zones trafficked by heavy planes and fuel trucks, geosynthetics improve the bearing capacity of soils and strengthen pavements for long-term design life and safer landings. Here, we collect a few...

Start the week with the latest in the geoengineering world. Here's the GeoWire conversation for the week of August 31. WORK SMARTER. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT Whoa: Researchers in Sweden have discovered a solar-energy-storing molecule. How to avoid 9 expensive hazardous waste violations Video: Sludge Remediation Strategies with Geotextiles GEOSYNTHETICS Avoiding Whales in Anaerobic Digesters 10 questions with Prof. Neil Dixon, whose research into...

By Ian D. Peggs – Six years ago, shortly after being placed into service, one of two geomembrane-lined and covered anaerobic digesters generated extensive whales (bubbles) in the geosynthetic lining system. Attempts to remove the gas from under the cover were unsuccessful. Then, project partners realized that the cover was being lifted by gas from under the base liner. Within two...

The 4th Pan-American Regional Conference on Geosynthetics is also the first major geosynthetics conference to be held entirely online. The organizes have released the GeoAmericas 2020 agenda. It is, as promised, packed with notable lectures, high-quality short courses, and engaging session topics. The conference will take place 26 - 31 October 2020 online, giving participants plenty of flexibility to balance their...

Sludge lagoons can develop naturally along waterways, but many of the most sensitive ones are a byproduct of and a challenge to numerous man-made activities and industries: large-scale dredging works, agriculture, industrial processing, sewage and wastewater management, etc. The mining industry is particularly difficult with its sludge production, because potentially harmful metals may be found in the waste. Geosynthetics are...