PROSPECTUS

GENERAL ORGANIZATION

The following graphic illustrates how the Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) and its interrelated institutes are positioned to maintain a balance of activities between the three major groups involved with geosynthetics.

Clearly, those organizations dealing with the public interest and having long term liability for systems which include geosynthetics have both the reason and need to be involved in GSI. Thus, federal/state agencies and private owner/operators form one part of the triangle. These organizations usually regulate or initiate a project and by so doing involve many others.

In utilizing geosynthetic materials, both the manufacturers and their raw material producers have an obvious direct involvement and form a second part of the triangle. The raw materials involved are polymer resins and the accompanying carbon blacks, additives and stabilizers. Contractors and installation organizations also form a critical role in this category.

The third part of the triangle consists of the group which interfaces directly with the other two groups. They are the design consultants, testing laboratories and associated monitoring organizations who formulate site specific plans, specifications and quality assurance documents.

All of these organizations form the focal points of GSI and its affiliated institutes. 

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Background

  • GSI is the umbrella organization for the following interrelated institutes:
  • Geosynthetic Research Institute (GRI), Geosynthetic Information Institute (GII), Geosynthetic Education Institute (GEI), Geosynthetic Accreditation Institute (GAI), and Geosynthetic Certification Institute (GCI).
  • GSI was Incorporated in the State of Delaware on December 16, 1991.
  • GSI is an independent, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization as of September 17, 1993.
  • GSI is established through Institute Bylaws approved on December 11, 1994.
  • GSI is governed by a 9-person, member elected, board of directors.
  • GSI is supported by annual membership subscription and research contracts/grants/ awards.
  • The location of GSI (near to the Philadelphia International Airport) is:

Geosynthetic Institute
475 Kedron Avenue
Folsom, PA 19033-1208 USA
Telephone: (610) 522-8440
Fax: (610) 522-8441

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Mission Statement

GSI constitutes a diverse group of agencies, corporations, companies, partnerships and individuals who actively engage in the design and use of geosynthetics as engineering materials. The mission is to develop and transfer knowledge, assess and critique geosynthetics, and provide service to the member organizations.

Geosynthetics consist of the following polymeric materials used in environmental, geotechnical, transportation and hydraulic engineering applications:

  • geotextiles - porous textiles
  • geomembranes - impermeable liners
  • geogrids - reinforcement grids
  • geonets - drainage nets
  • geosynthetic clay liners - rolls of bentonite in/on geosynthetics
  • geopipes -buried plastic pipe
  • geocomposites - various assemblages of geosynthetic and sometimes soil materials

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Goals and Objectives

The goals and objectives of GSI are to develop, investigate and implement the various facets of geosynthetics recognizing them as engineering materials. This includes, but is not limited to, the following specific tasks:

1. Conduct applied research on the engineering aspects of geosynthetics.

2. Conduct basic research on resins, additives, fillers and modifiers used to manufacture geosynthetics.

3. Develop test methods, standards of practice, standard guides and product specifications for design and construction.

4. Provide and implement geosynthetic certification and accreditation procedures.

5. Provide training and tutorial services to member organizations and their employees.

6. Develop and provide courses, conferences, symposia, workshops and training sessions.

7. Provide geosynthetics information retrieval services.

8. Provide publications in the form of newsletters, books, manuals, reports, journals, papers, articles, notes and memos.

9. Provide forensic services on both field successes and failures.

10. Develop a library of case histories involving geosynthetics and their behavior.

Within the above specific tasks, it is the goal and objective of GSI to be the conscience of the industry and to provide an ongoing center of excellence for all types of geosynthetics.

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Affiliated Organizations

In order to provide geosynthetics-related global outreach, a number of associations called "affiliated organizations" have been implemented, e.g., GSI-Korea. These are full members of GSI and share in all of its benefits and programs. Furthermore, affiliated organizations are empowered to spread GSI information in this respective countries. This is done by translating reports, programs, newsletters, etc. into their home language and act as a springboard to develop geosynthetics in their respective countries.

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GSI’s Interrelated Institutes

1. Geosynthetic Research Institute (GRI)

  • Incorporated in the State of Delaware on August 12, 1986 as Geosynthetic Research Inc.
  • Name amended to Geosynthetic Research Institute on March 3, 1989.
  • Operates as an outreach campus of Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
  • Permanent staff of seven professionals who are assisted by 4 to 7 graduate students.
  • Approximately 20 research projects are presently ongoing.
  • Included in these research projects are 7 in environmental related applications, 6 in transportation/hydraulics related applications, 4 in geotechnical related applications and 3 in hydraulics related applications.
  • Most projects are long-term in their duration (generally, short-term projects are referred to the member organizations; mainly consultants and testing laboratories).
  • Major projects on lifetime prediction of HDPE, VFPE and fPP geomembranes, PP and PET geotextiles, HDPE and PET geogrids and HDPE geopipes are ongoing.
  • Stress crack behavior and prevention in geomembranes and geopipes are priority research projects.
  • Evaluation of the behavior of antioxidants in geosynthetic formulations is an ongoing study.
  • Creep behavior of geomembrane seams and puncture as well as midplane creep shear of hydrated GCL’s are also being evaluated.
  • Life cycle benefits of geotextile separators in extending highway pavement performance is also a priority effort.
  • Information on GRI can be obtained from:
    • Dr. Y. (Grace) Hsuan
      Associate Professor of Civil Engr.
      Geosynthetic Institute
      475 Kedron Avenue
      Folsom, PA 19033-1208 USA
      Telephone: (610) 522-8440
      Fax: (610) 522-8441

2. Geosynthetic Information Institute (GII) 

  • The GII provides technical information to all of the GSI member organizations.
  • Information is daylighted in hard copy by means of a quarterly Newsletter/Report. Each of the institutes are highlighted and their respective programs are reviewed and updated.
  • Information is also daylighted on the Internet via our website which is accessed via <geosynthetic-institute.org>.
  • The public information file has multiple parts including the entire quarterly Newsletter/Report and an updated list of laboratories with their accredited test methods.
  • The member information file is accessed only by password. It includes test methods, proprietary report titles/ abstracts, a key word search of the geosynthetics literature (approx. 7,500 citations), example problems with spread sheets, and frequently asked questions and answers.
  • Specific, project related, information is interactively obtained by member organizations via the website.
  • GII also develops geosynthetic test methods, guides and practices. These items are intended to function until other groups, such as ASTM or ISO, develop standards of their own.
  • These standards are available as a published set and currently comprise 35 separate standards documents.
  • GII also develops geosynthetic product specifications. As such, the specific test methods, minimum (or maximum) property values and recommended frequency of testing are prescribed.
  • Information on GII is available from:
    • Ms. Marilyn Ashley
      Geosynthetic Institute
      475 Kedron Avenue
      Folsom, PA 19033-1208 USA
      Telephone: (610) 522-8440
      Fax: (610) 522-8441

3. Geosynthetic Education Institute (GEI)

  • One-day courses on geosynthetics in waste containment, transportation/geotechnical systems and private development, along with a quality control/quality assurance course are presented on a regular basis to member organizations and state/federal agencies at their home locations.
  • Distance learning can be described as interactive learning which is available at the time, location and discretion of the user/student.
  • GEI has produced two sets of ten 1-hour videotapes. One is on the topic of "Geosynthetics in Waste Containment" the other on "Geosynthetics in Transportation/Geotechnical Engineering Systems".
  • The tapes are available for purchase or rental.
  • A series of four Internet courses are available. Topics are geosynthetics in waste containment, transportation, private development and QC/QA.
  • The annual GRI conference is held each year in December. Past conference themes have been on durability, seaming, resins/manufacturing, landfill closures, filtration/drainage, soft soil stabilization, infrastructure remediation, performance, etc.
  • Briefings and seminars are available to member organizations at their facilities on an annual basis. The topics are mutually decided upon and the sessions last from 2 to 8 hours.
  • Tutorials (mainly for laboratory managers and technicians) are available to member organizations at GSI’s facilities. The sessions range from 4 hours to 2 days.
  • Information on GEI can be obtained from:

Ms. Marilyn Ashley
Geosynthetic Institute
475 Kedron Avenue
Folsom, PA 19033-1208 USA
Telephone: (610) 522-8440
Fax: (610) 522-8441

4. Geosynthetic Accreditation Institute (GAI)

  • The major activity of GAI at the present time is the geosynthetic testing laboratory accreditation program, or GAI-LAP.
  • This is a hybrid program which accredits individual tests involving geosynthetic materials.
  • The program requires a quality manual modeled after ISO 9003.
  • The laboratory protocol is modeled after ISO Guide 25.
  • Also required are standard operating procedures and reports of all tests to be accredited.
  • An on-site audit is made and test results are compared to the GAI established data base for acceptance/rejection.
  • For the 2nd, 3rd and 4th years, continued accreditation is based on proficiency testing.
  • The 5th year is another on-site audit and then the cycle repeats itself.
  • Currently the program has 31 laboratories having 8 to 61 tests being accredited.
  • The program is now venturing into other than ASTM tests and into accrediting international laboratories.
  • The program publishes directories in December and June of each year.
  • The up-to-date listing of laboratories and their accredited test methods is maintained on the institute’s website which is accessed by <geosynthetic-institute.org>.

Information on GAI can be obtained from:

Dr. George R. Koerner, CQA
Research Associate Professor
Geosynthetic Institute
475 Kedron Avenue
Folsom, PA 19033-1208 USA
Telephone: (610) 522-8440
Fax: (610) 522-8441

5. Geosynthetic Certification Institute (GCI)

  • There are numerous certification areas which are applicable to different facets of the geosynthetics industry.
  • We have initiated and continue to support the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies in their Geosynthetic Materials Installation Inspection program.
  • This program is aimed at construction quality assurance and construction quality control of field installations involving geosynthetics
  • A second program with NICET that may be implemented in the near future will involve the certification of geosynthetic test laboratory technicians.
  • A third effort (which is currently ongoing) is that of geosynthetic product certification.
  • This product certification program will be known as GCI-PCP. 
  • The initial effort is focused on HDPE geomembranes being certified per the GM13 specification.
  • Specification development is ongoing with VFPE, fPP and EPDM geomembranes. Geonets, high-strength geotextiles and other geosynthetics are envisioned.
  • Other geosynthetics can possibly be approached on the basis of the individual manufacturer’s quality control manual.

Information can be obtained from:

Dr. George R. Koerner, CQA
Research Associate Professor
Geosynthetic Institute
475 Kedron Avenue
Folsom, PA 19033-1208 USA
Telephone: (610) 522-8440
Fax: (610) 522-8441

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Membership Privileges

GSI provides for its members the privileges that are listed below:

1. Voting in all GSI matters

2. Eligibility for board of directors

3. Annual traveling in-house seminar

4. Training at GSI laboratories

5. Input as to research project selection

6. Guidance and critique of research projects

7. Proprietary reports on the results of research projects

8. Survey results on specific topics involving geosynthetics

9. Access to "Members Only" portion of the Home Page on the world wide web

10. Keyword search of the geosynthetic literature on the Website

11. Member information posted on the Website

12. Direct linkage, i.e. "hot wiring" to individual member organizations Home Pages

13. Peer review of manuals, brochures, reports, concepts, and related technical information

14. Direct contact and relations on litigious and insurance matters

15. Annual & midyear meeting attendance

16. Focus group participation

17. Focus group voting

18. Briefings and tutorials at GSI

19. Discounts at conferences and seminars

20. Data from all affiliated institutes

21. Development of GRI standard test methods/guides/ specifications

22. Quarterly Newsletter/ Reports

23. Discounts on publications

24. Presentations at GRI conferences

25. Document/brochure/project guidance and advice on an as-required basis

26. Direct and immediate consultation with GSI officers and staff at any time

Membership Fees

Time

 Full Member

First Year

Subsequent Years

$10,000

$10,000

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Summary

  • The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) is the umbrella organization which directs and guides its affiliated institutes. Currently, the interrelated institutes are GRI, GII, GEI, GAI and GCI as described in this prospectus.
  • Membership in GSI automatically brings full membership to all of the interrelated institutes.
  • Bylaws of GSI are available upon request.
  • GSI functions through guidance by its nine person Board of Directors.
  • GSI operates via a Director and associated staff and colleagues.
  • GSI and its interrelated institutes (such as GRI, GAI, etc.) are funded by contracts, grants and consortium fees from the member organizations.
  • An Endowment Fund is under regular development and is supervised by a Financial Oversight Committee.
  • Funds are hereby solicited via special projects, honoraria, corporate gifts and personal gifts.
  • Affiliated-organizations are being initiated and are formed to provide geosynthetics outreach in an orderly and pro-active manner.
  • For additional information regarding this prospectus and/or questions on the activities described herein please contact:

Dr. Robert M. Koerner
Geosynthetic Institute - Director
475 Kedron Avenue
Folsom, PA 19033-1208 USA
Phone: (610) 522-8440
Fax: (610) 522-8441
E-mail: <robert.koerner@coe.drexel.edu>

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