Women in Geosynthetics Hosts First Round Table Discussion
Thank you to everyone who attended the Women in Geosynthetics session and a very special thanks to the incredible panelists: Christine Thomas (COMANCO), Tonya Switalski (Titan Environmental), Andreea Sasu (Solmax), Fabiana Arriaga (Geosyntec Consultants), and MC Jordan Wiechmann (Plastatech). Your words were so inspirational and created an electric atmosphere of discussion and energy for all attendees. For more information on Women in Geosynthetics, please contact Jen Miller at fabricatedgeomembrane@gmail.com or visit our webpage at fabricatedgeomembrane.com/wig
FGI Hosts Panel Discussion on Constructing With Fabricated Geosynthetics
Thank you to everyone who attended the Constructing with Fabricated Geosynthetics Panel Discussion and a very special thanks to the distinguished panelists: Patrick Elliott (Raven), Doug Hilts (Hilts Consulting), Dan Rohe (EPI), Duff Simbeck (Simbeck & Assoc), and MC Tim Stark (Univ. of Illinois). The discussion showed that there are many advantages to factory fabrication such as predictable installation times, lower wages, less field testing, and better overall geosynthetics quality.
FGI Welcomes Genap BV
The Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI) is pleased to welcome its newest installer member, Genap BV. Genap has been specializing in geomembrane solutios and applications for the agricultural and civil engineering sectors since 1951. Genap recognizes the increasingly important roles of water, energy, and environmental issues in our society. Therefore, Genap provides sustainable solutions, using geosynthetics, to minimize impact on natural resources. The company headquarters are located in ‘s-Heerenberg,The Netherlands Europe and their FGI liaison is Dirk van Regteren, Managing Director, who can be reached at d.vanregteren@genap.nlor via www.genap.nl. Please help us welcome Genap to the FGI!!!!
.jpg)
FGI Starts Podcast Series
Join Tim Stark (Professor of Civil Engineering and Technical Director of the FGI) and Jen Miller (Coordinator of the FGI) as they discuss the latest emerging geosynthetic industry trends and news. Podcasts are available to download from the FGI Website or from the following online streaming services: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Anchor FM, Breaker, Pocket Casts, RadioPublic, & Google Podcasts.
Happy Listening: https://www.fabricatedgeomembrane.com/resources/podcasts
FGI Welcomes Ohio Department of Natural Resources – Division of Water Resources
The Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI) is pleased to welcome its newest Government/Regulatory Agency Member, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Water Resources. Located in Columbus, Ohio, the department owns and manages more than 800,000 acres of land, including 75 state parks, 21 state forests, 136 state nature preserves and 150 wildlife areas. The department also has jurisdiction over more than 120,000 acres of inland waters; 7,000 miles of streams; 481 miles of Ohio River; and 2.25 million acres of Lake Erie.
The Division of Water Resources maintains and distributes data on groundwater levels, stream flow, precipitation, water withdrawal, regulates the construction and inspection of dams, and regulates floodplains. Their FGI liaison is Doug Evans, who can be reached at doug.evans@dnr.state.oh.us. Please help us welcome the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to the FGI!!!!
FGI Winter 2020 Newsletter - Now Available
Learn about all of the new and exciting programs and resources available at the FGI! A few new items include:
Safety Info on Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
2020 Webinar Calendar
New Membership Category for Government and Regulatory Agencies
New Panel Weight Calculator Created
New Podcast Series - Listen to first three episodes now
FGI Welcomes Hallaton Environmental Linings
The Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI) is pleased to welcome its newest installer member, Hallaton Environmental Linings. With over 650 million square feet installed, Hallaton has a proven track record of being one of the most experienced liner installation companies in the industry. Hallaton provides lining systems for landfill construction and closures, golf courses,reservoirs, wastewater plants, power plants, agricultural needs, and more. Installation applications include: solid waste landfills, secondary containment,oil and gas, rain covers, reservoirs, water treatment, as well as floating covers. Hallaton prides itself on its comprehensive in-house safety program, as well as continuous training and certification programs for their staff. The company headquarters are located in Sparks, Maryland and their FGI liaison is Todd Harman, President, who can be reached at tharman@hallaton.com or www.hallaton.com. Please help us welcome Hallaton Environmental Linings to the FGI!!!!
FGI SHORT COURSE ADDRESSES COAL COMBUSTION RESIDUALS (CCRs)
The Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI) presented a short course in Charlotte, North Carolina on 6 November 2019 at the Center City Building to a sold out crowd. The short course was organized by the FGI and was offered in collaboration with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC).
The excellent and timely presentations focused on the regulations, placement, and management of CCRs, with an emphasis on using geosynthetics. The morning portion of the short course focused on regulatory issues, containment applications, CCR static properties,and seismic behavior of CCRs. For example, a presentation by JR Register of Consumers Energy, focused on the current and emerging CCR regulatory issues, while Evan Andrews of Duke Energy provided insight into using geosynthetics to manage, cover, and contain CCRs. Gary Zych of American Electric Power (AEP)reviewed containment applications for CCRs for AEP facilities. Vincent Ogunro of UNCC followed with an informative presentation on the static material properties and treatment of CCRs. Lastly, Professor Bill Wolfe of The Ohio State University described the seismic behaviors of CCRs and conducting liquefaction analyses for CCRs to wrap up the morning portion.
The afternoon presentations focused on the practical applications of geosynthetics for CCR management, closure, and containment. For example, Allen Bullock of Leister and Matthew Roy of DemTech provided a demonstration of geomembrane seaming, patching, and testing. Timothy D. Stark of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign reviewed the importance of geomembrane wrinkles in leakage rates and leak location surveys. Ken Daly of Wood PLC gave an informative presentation on local practices for managing CCRs. Sam Allen of TRI Environmental provided insight on leak location surveys. Finally, Joe Troxell of S&ME described the largest fabricated geomembrane project in the world, i.e.,Columbus, Ohio Upground Water Reservoir.
Many attendee questions, comments, and experiences made the course a greatsuccess. The topics andspeakers from the successful shortcourseare shown below:
Current &Emerging CCR Regulatory Issues - J.R. Register (Consumers Energy)
Geosynthetics in Challenging RegulatoryEnvironments - E. Andrews (Duke Energy)
Containment for CCRs- G. Zych (American Electric Power)
Static Properties andInnovations in CCR - V. Ogunro (UNCC)
Dynamic behavior ofCCRs - B. Wolfe (OSU)
Importance of Geomembrane Wrinkles - T.Stark (U of Illinois)
Local PracticeManaging CCRs - K. Daly (Wood)
Leak Location Surveys - S. Allen (TRI)
Case Study: Largest Fabricated Geomembrane Project -J. Troxell (S&ME)
FGI Welcomes Chesapeake Containment Systems
The Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI) is pleased to welcome its newest installer member, Chesapeake Containment Systems, Inc. (Chesapeake). Founded in 2007, Chesapeake is an environmental construction firm specializing in geosynthetic supply and installation services. Since 2007, Chesapeake has installed over 300 million square feet of geosynthetics and has over 100 years of combined experience in the industry. To deliver effectively on all their missions Chesapeake is guided by four principles, people, performance, products and progress. The company headquarters is located in Charlotte, North Carolina and their FGI liaison is Ryan Kamp, President, who can be reached at rkamp@ccsliners.com or ccsliners.com. Please help us welcome Chesapeake Containment Systems to the FGI!!!!
FGI Offering Installers Training Workshop
The Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI) is offering a one-day Installers Training Workshop on Thursday, January 16, 2020 from 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
The workshop will train field installers on seaming, patching, attachments, and testing of pre-fabricated/flexible geomembranes, such as Woven Coated Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), PVC, and Reinforced Products (PP/PE/EIA). The testing will include Air Channel, Air Lance, Vacuum Box, and Tensiometer Testing.
The cost of the workshop is $200 per person. However, FGI Members can send their installers to the workshop for FREE. FGI installer membership is only $1,000 so if you are sending five (5) or more, please consider joining the FGI. A continental breakfast, lunch, and morning/afternoon snacks will be provided.
Space is limited. Everyone must register by 12/20/19: https://fgi-installer-training-workshop-2020.eventbrite.com.
