The PVC Geomembrane Institute (PGI) sponsored a short course titled “Specifying with PVC Geomembranes” on November 10, 2003, at the Empire State Convention Center in Albany, NY. The course was moderated by Robert Phaneuf, Section Chief, New York Department of Conservation. Formulation and manufacturing of PVC geomembranes was covered by Patrick Diebel, Canadian General-Tower, Ltd. Patrick Diebel also discussed the use of the PGI 1103 Specification and the ASTM methods used for geomembrane testing. Dr. Timothy D. Stark, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, presented information on geosynthetic interface strengths and the slope stability of landfill covers. Tim Stark also discussed the fabrication and field installation aspects of working with PVC geomembranes. Stark stressed that one of the major advantages of using PVC is that approximately 80 percent of all seaming is done in a factory under controlled conditions. Eliminating 80 percent of field-welded seams leads to better seam quality and generally faster installation time. Stark also discussed the benefits of air-channel testing PVC geomembranes including the visual inspection of the inflated seam. A hands-on welding demonstration was held at the end of the course led by Chris Bonnet from PWT. The hands-on demonstration showed dual-track wedge welding and the air channel testing of PVC geomembrane seams. Air channel testing involves sealing one end of the seam, filling the air channel with air pressure, and measuring the ability of the seam to hold the pressure using an air gauge. Any voids in the seam are easily detected by a loss in air pressure. This is another step in ensuring quality field seams in PVC geomembrane installations. This seminar was attended by more than 70 people. “The feedback from the attendees indicates that the information the PGI representatives presented was helpful in gaining a better understanding of PVC geomembranes” reported Tim Stark. “Attendees were able to better understand what is required to design, specify, and construct with PVC geomembranes.” Founded in 1988 by a group of industry leaders, the PVC Geomembrane Institute (PGI) is dedicated to advancing the use of PVC Geomembranes through education and research as well as serving as an industry resource for PVC Geomembrane users. In 1998, PGI partnered with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) which led to the formation of the PGI Technology Program. PGI’s main office is located at UIUC. For more information on PGI go to the www.pgi-tp@uiuc.edu website.

This December 10th issue of The Liner Letter solicits your input for improvements to the next version of the EPI Spec.File CD. Please consider giving us your ideas to improve this useful geosynthetic tool. There are many direct HOT LINKS in our newsletter which will take you to more information about the people involved in this project. TIP: As you move your mouse pointer over the document you can simply "hold down" the Control key to see the links and "left click" to go directly to the related information on the web. You can find copies of all of the previous Liner Letters at http://www.geomembrane.com/LinerLetter/index.html

Read a review of the 6th TPE conference organised by Rapra Technology held in Brussels between 16th and 17th September 2003. Full conference proceedings, which are also now available, may be obtained by contacting Paul Whittaker at pwhittaker@rapra.net. Learn more here.;

To help ensure only high quality PVC is used in applications, the PGI plans on adding a minimum plasticizer molecular weight spec and a leachate immersion test to the current PGI specification. Both changes are scheduled for 2004. Learn more here.;

On 24 February, the PVC Geomembrane Institute (PGI) will hold a half-day short course titled "Specifying with PVC Geomembranes." The event is part of the Minnesota Polution Control Agency (MPCA) annual conference. Note: For those who cannot attend the 24 February course, PGI will present "Specifying" again on 2 April with the Montana Department of Transportation. PVC specification workshop: The workshop will address the following topics: formulation and manufacturing; fabrication and installation; specification and testing; and PVC geomembrane interface strengths and slope stability. Several case histories will be presented, including one involving a 30-year-old 20-mil PVC geomembrane. Finally, and most importantly, a hands-on demonstration of wedge welding and air channel testing of PVC geomembranes will be conducted. Attendees will leave with a broad knowledge of what is required to design, specify and construct with this material. The course will include the ASTM testing required for compliance with the new PGI 1103 Specification for PVC geomembranes. Additional note: To help ensure only high quality PVC is used in applications, the PGI plans on adding a minimum plasticizer molecular weight spec and a leachate immersion test to the current PGI specification. Both changes are scheduled for 2004. For more information about specifications, short courses and the PGI, contact PVC Geomembrane Institute, 2215 Newmark Civil Engineering Laboratory, 205 N. Mathews Ave., Urbana, IL 61801; +1 217/333-3929, fax +1 217/244-2839, e-mail pgi-tp@uiuc.edu. Learn more here.;

The CD, An Overview of Geosynthetics and Their Major Applications (.ppt) is available for free from GRI. To obtain a copy, please contact Robert Koerner at robert.koerner@coe.drexel.edu (be sure to include your address with postal code).

1 New Approved Standard: D3775 - Standard Test Method for Fabric Count of Woven Fabric has been revised to D3775-03a. 5 Work Items including: WK3414 - Standard Specification for Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Tubing is a work item revision to existing standard F876-03; WK3416 - Standard Test Method for Molecular Weight Averages and Molecular Weight Distribution of Polystyrene by High Performance Size-Exclusion Chromatography is a work item revision to existing standard D5296-97; WK3428 - Standard Test Method for Evaluating the Oxidative Resistance of Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Tubing and Systems to Hot Chlorinated Water is a work item revision to existing standard F2023-03; WK3430 - Standard Test Method for Brittleness Temperature of Plastics and Elastomers by Impact is a work item revision to existing standard D746-98e1; WK3437 - Standard Specification for Rigid Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (PVC) Compounds and Chlorinated Poly(Vinyl Chloride) (CPVC) Compounds is a work item revision to existing standard D1784-03.

A message to all Committee Members: January Committee Week - January 11-16, 2004 at the Tampa Marriott Waterside in Tampa, FL., from: Joe Koury, ASTM Meeting Manager. Subject: Message from the Meetings Department. Hotel Cutoff Date Extension is Friday, December 19, 2003 and the ASTM Pre-Registration Cutoff Date is December 22, 2003. Due to the holiday season, the Tampa Marriott Waterside has agreed to extend our cutoff date. If you haven't already done so, please pre-register for the January Committee Week. The Meeting Information and Pre-Registration Form can be found on the ASTM Web Site http://www.astm.org/COMMIT/WEEKINFO. If you need to make your hotel reservation, call the Tampa Marriott Waterside directly at 813/221-4900 by December 19th. The ASTM rates are $135 Single/$155 Double. We look forward to seeing you in Tampa. If you have questions or need a hard copy of the Meeting Information mailed or faxed to you, contact Dottie Meyers in the Meetings Department. Email: dmeyers@astm.org Phone: 610-832-9706 Fax: 610-832-9669 Learn more here.;

Geosynthetics International is now published only on-line, effective this calendar year (2003). The IGS has entered into an arrangement with Thomas Telford, the new publisher of Geosynthetics International, to make this journal available to all IGS members, as part of the IGS membership (without increasing the IGS membership fee). At the same time, the Journal is available to non-IGS members and libraries for a fee. Change, but also continuity: in agreement with the IGS, the same Editors and the same Editorial Board Chairman will serve, along with the same Editorial Board. However, due to the change in publisher, Karina McInnis is no longer Technical Editor of Geosynthetics International (but she is still serving our discipline as Editor of this newsletter). She deserves much of the credit for the reputation of high quality of the Journal. The same commitment to quality can be expected from Thomas Telford's experienced staff, in particular Leon Heward-Mills, Journals Publisher, and Tony Donegan, in charge of production and the main point of contact for authors. Authors of papers should understand that the impact factor (a factor used to evaluate technical journals) of the Journal will not be diminished by being a solely electronic journal. In fact, the outstanding reputation of the Geosynthetics International can only increase as the number of subscribers grows. Equally important, the Journal will continue to be abstracted and indexed in all the major journal citation services. Authors of papers will also appreciate that, with the electronic format, turn-around times from submission of manuscripts to publication should be greatly reduced. Thomas Telford is well known worldwide. As publishing arm of the British Institution of Civil Engineers, Thomas Telford has access to 60,000 members around the world. As a result, Geosynthetics International will be heavily promoted and a broader readership than in the past can be expected. With more than 2,000 subscribers, Geosynthetics International is already one of the most widely distributed journals in civil engineering. Starting with Volume 10 (year 2003), the papers can be downloaded as pdf files from the Thomas Telford website (www.thomastelford.com/jol). You can log on to the Thomas Telford website for instructions, and we encourage you to try immediately. Each volume, starting with Volume 10, will also be available on CD for a fee. In addition, all papers in the previous issues of the Journal (Volumes 1 through 9) will be available as pdf files from the IGS website (www.geosyntheticssociety.org) Geosynthetics International and the International Geosynthetics Society are very pleased to bring this significant benefit to IGS members, thereby contributing to the primary goal of the IGS, which is to disseminate technical information on geosynthetics and their applications.

Welders from Atarfil, Solmax, and Poly-Flex (underwriters for gsa) have recently obtained IAGI HDPE Welding Certification. We'd like to congratulate Eufrasio Aguilera Moreno and Francisco Rodriguez Moreno of Atarfil, Guy Chicoyne, Jacques Courchesne, Gaétan Gagné, Marc Genest, Denis Goyette, Étienne Lagacé, Richard Lagacé, Daniel LaLonde, Yvon McLaughlin, Roger Paiement, Yves Richard, Christian Saindon, Jacques St-Gelais, and Marc St-Pierre of Solmax, and 14 members of Poly-Flex.