Geotextiles and Geomembranes

An official Journal of the International Geosynthetics Society

Geotextiles are permeable fabrics which, when used in association with soil, have the ability to separate, filter, reinforce, protect or drain. As the use of geotextile fabrics has expanded there has been the introduction of geotextile composites and the development of products such as geogrids and meshes. Overall these materials are referred to as geotextiles and related products. All have a wide range of applications and are currently used to advantage in many civil engineering applications including roads, airfields, railroads, embankments, retaining structures, reservoirs, canals, dams, bank protection and coastal engineering.

Geomembranes are impermeable membranes used widely as cut-offs and liners. Until recent years, geomembranes were used mostly as canal and pond liners; however, one of the largest current applications is to the containment of hazardous or municipal wastes and their leachates. In many of these applications geomembranes are employed with geotextile or mesh underliners which reinforce or protect the more flexible geomembrane whilst also acting as an escape route for gases and leachates generated in certain wastes.

The range of products and their applications has expanded rapidly over the last decade with geotextiles and geomembranes being specified world wide. This rapid growth is paralleled by a virtual explosion of technology. Current reference books and even manufacturers' sponsored publications tend to date very quickly and the need for a vehicle to bring together and discuss the growing body of technology now available has become evident.

Geotextiles and Geomembranes fills this need and provides a forum for the dissemination of information amongst research workers, designers, users and manufacturers. By providing a growing fund of information the journal increases general awareness, prompts further research and assists in the establishment of international codes and regulations.

Types of Contribution:
Refereed technical papers covering research, design, construction, applications and case studies; technical notes, professional practice papers, book reviews, reports of conferences and meetings, and letters to the Editor. All technical papers are open to written discussion. No limit to length is set and short notes are acceptable. Review articles may also be published at intervals, but the subject and contents of these should be discussed first with the Editor.