On the evening of February 3, 2023, a train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. The tanker cars, carrying several types of chemicals, ruptured, and caught fire.

The aftermath unfolded in the news for days, weeks, and months. The event impacted the population of the small community most directly, but also created an environmental investigation for Ohio and the surrounding states of Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Our team was recently invited to speak with Shannon Oelkers from Integrity Environmental on their podcast Tank Talk regarding XR® Geomembrane liners and how they perform in extreme environments.

Every year, more and more roads and highways are constructed to meet growing demands. However, this new construction or expansion of infrastructure may end up being built over loose or soft soil that does not have the ability to support the associated loads.

Geomembranes can fail for a variety of reasons. A failure in a geomembrane can result in serious damage to the surrounding environment and ecosystem. In order to help keep your geomembrane performing at its best, here are three common geomembrane failure mechanisms to keep in mind.

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.

Dr. Robert Koerner, professor emeritus of civil engineering at Drexel University, is a highly respected professional in both the geosynthetic and engineering communities. In his webinar, “Wave (or Wrinkle),” Koerner covers unreinforced geomembranes, such as HDPE, and how geomembrane waves or wrinkles can be somewhat prevented and/or fixed. Here is an overview of the webinar:

It is vital to consider the effects of a geomembrane’s exposure to weathering to ensure optimal long-term performance. The most important factor in determining performance in any given environment is the type of polymer used in the geomembrane.