Script: I’m Nathan Ivy; I’m the Corporate Quality Control and Technical Manager for AGRU America. As materials improve, the test methods must also improve. One example for geosynthetics is environmental stress cracking. The test method that was popular twenty-five years ago is no longer used because the material that is made presently never fails with that test. So, new test methods have to be developed to help stretch the limits of the newly available material. The Geosynthetic Institute has been instrumental in developing new test methods for testing today’s geosynthetic materials. One such example is the notched constant tensile load test, which started off as a GRI test method. ASTM later adopted it and it has become the industry standard test for stress crack resistance-tested geomembranes. They’ve also developed other test methods for thickness, puncture, and other capabilities, to test the limits of today’s geosynthetics. Most engineers are always looking for better, cheaper, more effective ways of accomplishing the same task. These engineers realize that there always going to improvements in materials and applications. At AGRU America, we’re always working to invent new and innovative products. Some of our past creations have included drain liner with an integrated drainage material into the geomembrane. I would encourage new geosynthetic engineers to study the materials that are available, become acquainted with the Geosynthetic Research Institute and give AGRU a call. We have technical staff to help answer your questions and provide solutions for your problems. AGRU wants to be ready when the bar is raised next time to have materials that meet or exceed all specifications.
