When specifying a geomembrane, engineers have two high-level options: reinforced or unreinforced geomembranes. Both types of geomembranes have unique properties that make them the best solutions for certain applications and projects. In order to assist you with the specification process, we’ve broken down some of the key components for both geomembranes below.

When choosing the correct geomembrane for geofoam coverage in road and bridge construction applications, there are six properties you always need to take into consideration:

1. Puncture Strength/Abrasion Resistance

2. Tensile Strength

3. Flexibility

4. Vapor Transmission

5. Toughness

6. Chemical Resistance

In a previous blog post, I discussed the benefits of using EPS geofoam for highway construction. Geofoam has many benefits in the transportation market and has found itself in many well-placed areas. In this blog I’ll review what geofoam is and how to install it.

Geotechnical Frontiers 2017
When: Sunday, March 12, 2017 to Wednesday, March 15, 2017
Where: Hyatt Regency Hotel in Orlando, FL

Next to the yearly IFAI Conference, the Geotechnical Frontiers Conference is the largest conference I have been to for the geomembrane market. Unlike the IFAI Conference, Geotechnical Frontiers covers all geosynthetic materials and design applications, making it very appealing for almost any type of civil engineer.

Dr. Robert Koerner, professor emeritus of civil engineering at Drexel University, is a highly respected professional in both the geosynthetic and engineering communities. Earlier this month, he presented a webinar, “Wave (or Wrinkle),” covering unreinforced geomembranes, such as HDPE, and how geomembrane waves or wrinkles can be somewhat prevented and/or fixed.

The IWEA Annual Specialty Conference was held in October 2016 at the Forum Event Center in Fishers, IN. Annually, the IWEA (Indiana Water Environment Association)  brings together the State of Indiana’s brightest engineers, operators and owners who are faced with the challenges of Indiana’s aging Infrastructure. Members share these challenges and offer affordable solutions for the greater good of Indiana’s aging pipes and infrastructures.

Throughout the day, presentations were given by individuals who successfully and financially solved Indiana’s Infrastructure problems.Two presentations are recapped below.

The OTEC (Ohio Transportation Engineering Conference)has become the destination for civil engineers and transportation enthusiasts to mingle and keep up with the latest transportation trends. In fact, this year’s huge turnout filled  the Greater Columbus Convention Center exhibitor space to maximum capacity. 

Reinforced geomembranes can be specified in a variety of scenarios, from floating covers to secondary containment liners. Highlighted below are three of the most common reinforced geomembrane applications.

Geomembranes can fail for a variety of reasons. In order to help you keep your geomembrane performing to the best of its ability, you will find an outline of three common geomembrane failure mechanisms below.