News

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)

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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!!!!

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.

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The Fabricated Geomembrane Institute and its members would like to express our condolences on the passing of Dr. Robert M. Koerner and his wife Paula W. Koerner. Together, Bob and Paula founded the Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) in 1986 and maintained it at the forefront of the industry.  In addition, Bob was the “Father of Geosynthetics” and brought geosynthetics into main stream civil engineering.  Bob´s academic contributions to the industry include over 750 papers on geosynthetics and the pioneering textbook, “Designing with Geosynthetics” which is now in its sixth edition. The FGI is grateful for all of Bob’s and Paula’s contributions to the geosynthetics industry and encourage our members and others to visit the Koerner Family Foundation website at www.kffoundation.org.

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Check out the FGI's Fall 2019 Newsletter with information on Safety, Coal Combustion Residuals Short Course, Upcoming Webinar on Fabrication, Installation & Testing of Geomembranes, Update to the FGI's PVC Geomembrane Specification, Women in Geosynthetics, FGI's New Installer Membership, and more....

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The Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI) is pleased to welcome its newest associate member, Peak GeoSolutions (Peak).  Peak was founded in 1993 with the idea of elevating the role of on-site personnel by placing strong technicians in the field and empowering them to supplement their basic CQA duties with a leadership role in managing the project.  Peak prides itself on training and encouraging their employees to be leaders, as well as to actively search for and identify efficiencies or technical improvements to the project.  Peak has over 225 clients in the landfill space, while also providing services to the energy and oil and gas sectors. In addition to CQA and construction management, Peak is a provider of liner system leak location services and is the US distributor for the SENSOR arc-testing device. Peak is based in Wyoming and has clients in every western state.  Their FGI liaison is William Hensley, Principal and Senior Project Manager, who can be reached at bhensley@peakgeo.com. Please help us welcome Peak GeoSolutions to the FGI!!!!

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The Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI) updated its Material Specification for New PVC Geomembranes, previously referred to as PGI 1104 and FGI 1117.  The new specification, FGI 9119, addresses camber or layflat, film gloss, shore hardness, and color deviation within a manufactured lot.  The new specification introduces the FGI Circumference Test which measures the roll circumference at the ends and several points along the roll to maintain roll straightness or decrease camber.  FGI 9119 also includes requirements for film gloss to reduce blocking or sticking of the geomembrane upon unrolling.  A Shore Hardness requirement was also added to improve handling and welding of the geomembrane.

The new specification can be downloaded for free by clicking here.

About the FGI:

The FGI is dedicated to advancing the use of fabricatedgeomembranes through education, research, and technology transfer.  The FGI is a non-profit consortium of manufacturers,fabricators/installers, designers, regulators, and material suppliers offabricated geomembranes.  

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Check out the FGI's Summer Newsletter with information on Safety, the new Online PDH Program, Upcoming Webinar on Temporary Landfill Covers, Coal Combustion Residuals Short Course, Women in Geosynthetics, and more.

Newsletter - Summer, 2019

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The Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI) presented a one-day short course at the Sheraton Bogota Hotel in Bogota, Colombia on 12 August 2019.  The short course was offered in collaboration with Filmtex, a geomembrane manufacturing company headquartered in Bogota, and the Colombian Chapter of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS). The all-day short course drew 49 registrants.

The excellent and timely presentations focused on the challenges and environmental concerns associated with mining, tunneling, water, and waste containment technologies and how geomembranes and geosynthetics can be used to mitigate the concerns and risks.  The beginning portion of the short course focused on geomembrane fabrication, installation, manufacturing and geosynthetics for civil engineering applications with five (5) presentations.  Dr. Timothy D. Stark of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign focused on the new FGI PVC Geomembrane Specification, factory fabrication and field installation, and the Columbus Water Reservoir Project.  Juan Cortes and Myriam Acevedo of Filmtex provided insight into the latest advancements in geomembrane manufacturing.  Camillo Marulanda of Ingetec Colombia, wrapped up the morning session with an informative presentation on the use of geosynthetics for dam applications.  

The second half of the presentations continued the focus on various applications of geosynthetics in containment applications, as well as geomembrane seaming. For example, Marina Villaroel of Alphard (Canada) gave an informative presentation on geosynthetics for mining application. Julio Ferreira of TRI Environmental reviewed the best practices for developing leak location surveys and obtaining a zero leak containment system.  Finally, Jorge Herrero Vega of Cesla Mexico, wrapped up the event with a presentation reviewing the the general concepts of geomembrane seaming followed by an interactive welding demonstration that allowed attendees to weld and test geomembranes. 

Many attendee questions, comments, and experiences made the course a great success. The topics and speakers from the successful short course are shown below:

‍FGI Introduction, Activities, and Current Research - T. Stark (U. of Illinois)

Introducción sobre la FGI, sus actividadese Investigación actual

Introduction to IGS Colombia Chapter - Mauricio Rendon (IGS Colombia)

Introduccióna la sociedad internacional de geosintéticos, capítulo  Colombia.

FGI PVC Spec: scope, origin &description of properties - T. Stark (U. ofIllinois)

Presentación Especificación FGI 6119 para PVC

‍Factory Fabrication & Field Installation - T. Stark (U. of Illinois)

Fabricación de Páneles en Planta e Instalación

‍Geosynthetics in Tunnel Applications - Chungsik Yoo (IGS President)

Aplicaciones de Geosintéticos en Túneles(Videoconferencia)

PVC Geomembranes Manufacturing - Juan Cortes & Myriam Acevedo (Filmtex)

Producciónde Geomembranas de PVC

‍Columbus Water Reservoir & Geomembrane Seaming - T.Stark (U. of Illinois)

Reservorio de Agua en Columbus, OH y sellado de geomembranas.

‍Geosynthetics in Dam Applications - Camillo Marulanda (Ingetec Colombia)

Aplicación de geo sintéticos en Represas.

‍Geosynthetics in Waste Management - T. Stark (U. of Illinois)

Geosintéticos en Aplicaciones de Manejo deDesechos                                                                                                      

‍Geosynthetics in MiningApplications - Marina Villaroel (Alphard,Canada)

Geosintéticosen Aplicaciones de Minería

‍Leak Location for Fabricated Geomembranes - Julio Ferreira (TRI/Environmental)

Detecciónde fugas en Geomembranas

‍General Concepts of Geomembrane Seaming - Jorge Herrero,(Cesla Mexico)

ConceptosGenerales de Sellado de Geomembrana

‍Welding Demonstration - JorgeHerrero, (Cesla Mexico)

Práctica de sellado

The FGI is dedicated to advancing the use of fabricated geomembranes through education, research, and technology transfer. The FGI is an industry sponsored consortium of manufacturers, fabricators, installers, designers, regulators, and material suppliers of fabricated geomembranes. For more information on the FGI, please visit www.fabricatedgeomembrane.com

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September 10, 2019 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. CDT

Free to Industry Professionals & Students

1.0 PDH Available

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This webinar will focus primarily on Prefabricated Landfill Covers and associated ballast systems. More specifically, it will provide a brief introduction into the geomembrane fabrication and installation processes, typical applications where these covers are used, how they perform, as well as considerations for material selection, project designs and construction techniques. Lastly, the presentation will review specific case studies throughout the United States to highlight these cover systems and designs.

Register for FREE today: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/9200528983946286859