Geosynthetics in roads and pavements

 

The Geosynthetic Solution 

The chemical resistance and flexibility of 

geomembranes and GCLs makes them 

technically superior to any other alternative for 

providing a positive barrier to the movement of 

fluids and gases.  In the case of environmental 

protection, that movement usually includes 

containment of contaminated liquids and gases 

while keeping clean water, in the form of rain or 

runoff, from becoming contaminated.  

There are many ways that geomembranes and 

GCLs have been incorporated into 

environmental protection barrier systems, 

including: 

! 

final covers over waste materials, 

! 

liners for solid, hazardous and monofill 

waste landfills, 

! 

liners for lagoons and other surface 

impoundments such as geothermal, 

aquaculture, solar, or specific chemical 

ponds, 

! 

secondary containment for underground 

storage tanks, 

! 

vertical barriers to contain subsurface 

contaminant plumes, 

! 

horizontal and vertical barriers to radon and 

methane emissions,  

! 

pit liners for the collection and recycling of 

leached solutions from ore piles or even 

manure piles.   

 

 

Typical Geosynthetic vs. Conventional Lining 

Systems 

 

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                                                 GEOSYNTHETICS IN SEEPAGE CONTROL SYSTEMS:                                                   53      

Structure Waterproofing, Water Supply Preservation, Environmental Protection 

 

For more information please contact the Geosynthetic Materials Association at www.gmanow.com. 

 

Landfill lining projects use many geosynthetics. 

 

 

Geonet composite drains for leachate collection. 

 

 

Sand operational cover layer protects liner system. 

 

 

Geosynthetic installation proceeds in muliple layers. 

 

Composite liners include both clay and geomembrane. 

 

 

Geonet and geotextile are sometimes placed separately. 

 

 

The leachate collection system drains to a lined sump. 

 

 

Clay (and then a geomembrane) is placed over a leak 

detection system in a double composite liner system.

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                                                                            Handbook of Geosynthetics                                                                            54 

For more information please contact the Geosynthetic Materials Association at www.gmanow.com. 

 

GEOSYNTHETIC SUPPORT SYSTEMS: 

Prefabricated Systems, On-site Fabrication,  

Testing and Specifying 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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                                                              GEOSYNTHETIC SUPPORT SYSTEMS:                                                                  55      

Prefabricated Systems, On-site Fabrication, Testing and Specifying 

 

For more information please contact the Geosynthetic Materials Association at www.gmanow.com. 

OVERVIEW 

 

Innovation is a tradition in the geosynthetics 

industry.  In partnership with contractors, 

engineers are constantly developing cost-

effective installation techniques, advanced new 

products and specially fabricated systems. Such 

innovations include prefabricated soil 

containment systems and preassembled fences  

and specially developed installation equipment 

and techniques for on-site fabrication. 

 

Additionally, the industry has developed an 

extensive array of tests for establishing the 

quality of geosynthetics and facilitating their 

specification.