The Geosynthetic Centre of Excellence (GCE), a specialist R&D laboratory that works with customers to develop geosynthetic solutions, developed by Geofabrics, leading geosynthetic suppliers of Australia, is set to support engineers and designers working with application-specific projects.

The GCE would collaborate with engineers and designers to support the appropriate design and implementation of geosynthetics. The centre is expected to assist customers with ‘application-based’ research to help develop geosynthetic solutions. The laboratory can provide value to the product being specified by mitigating potential risks, while also adding assurance that the correct product is being used in a specific application, Geofabrics said in a statement.

The centre would provide a thorough understanding of how a product performs on site, resulting in a more efficient application of resources, saving asset owners time and money.

Using a wide range of specialist equipment, the GCE has built a reliable history with customers as well as a large database of information to draw upon. Often this historical information is sufficient to inform a client or to limit the scope of the testing required for a particular project.

The GCE carries out analysis according to Australian and American test methods and comprehensive test reports are generated, including results, photos, graphs, test conditions, and details of the apparatus used.

Based in southern Queensland, the centre houses a selection of key geosynthetic-specific test equipment. The testing is aimed at the specific situation designers are finding on their construction site – a major step forward to ensure the right solution is adopted. (GK)