WHAT DOES GEOFABRICS PROVIDE?
Our success is based on strong partnerships with clients to solve their engineering problems. Our vision is to be a solution provider, to supply products that demonstrate cost savings, superior technical performance, safer operations and better environmental outcomes.
Technical leadership
GEOFABRICS GRID LABORATORY – We supply world-class technical leadership and engineering support through our innovation, research, industry education, design and independent testing services.
Our GRID (Geosynthetic Research, Innovation & Development) laboratory is a specialist facility that works with clients to develop the right geosynthetic solution for each project.
Based in south east Queensland, the laboratory houses a selection of key geosynthetic-specific test equipment. Testing is aimed at solving the real-world problems that designers, contractors and asset owners find on their site, to ensure the right solution is adopted.
- Analysis is performed according to Australian and international test methods
- Comprehensive test reports are generated, including results, photos, graphs, test conditions and details of the apparatus used
- Research is supported by industry leading suppliers in both laboratory and field trials across America, Europe and Asia
Sector specific experience
With experts in each sector, our comprehensive design advice can include stability analysis, typical sections and standard details. We can also assist with product specifications and installation guidelines for tenders.
Our engineers provide our clients with specification reviews, design suggestions and certified designs for geosynthetic applications that are more cost effective and technically superior.
Product development experience
Researched and developed in the GRID by the Geofabrics team, Sorbseal hybrid Geosynthetic Clay Liner was launched in 2021. Sorbseal works as a barrier to liquids in the same way as a regular GCL, but also helps trap a wide range of contaminants, including potential dangerous Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), preventing them from entering the surrounding environment.
Sorbseal has been modified with a very specific, high surface area powdered activated carbon and when used in composite lining designs, it can be an effective barrier for hundreds of years. Sorbseal is essentially a supercharged GCL with the ability to capture a lot more contaminants than standard GCLs that are made with bentonite alone. The powdered activated carbon enables the microscopic PFAS chemical contaminates to be attracted, captured, and trapped in the pores of the powdered activated carbon particles.
The innovative research and development at the GRID is integral to finding better ways that we can protect, contain and secure the natural environment.
Innovation & education
We provide technical and practical education to engineers about the use of geosynthetics in a range of infrastructure projects.
Our team conducts real-world, technical seminars for engineers and contractors to earn CPD hours through our Geofabrics Academy™. We also run in-house workshops for our clients and undertake lectures at Universities around Australia and in New Zealand.
We are proud to support the next generation of engineers through sponsorship of PhD candidates.
DANIEL GIBBS
GENERAL MANAGER – TECHNICAL, RESEARCH & INNOVATION
A highly capable, detail-oriented, and seasoned professional, with more than 20 years of combined management, research, method development, quality auditing, innovation, and analytical techniques in pharmaceuticals and geosynthetics. An active member of various professional bodies including ASTM Committees D35 on Geosynthetics and D18 on Soil and Rock (including subcommittee D18.26 on Hydraulic Fracturing) and The Australian Chapter of the International Geosynthetics Society (ACIGS). Recent work includes, inter alia, providing improved attenuation of emerging contaminants such as PFAS, through the development of Sorbseal, a hybrid Geosynthetic Clay Liner (GCL), bio-based geotextiles for ecologically sensitive environments, unlocking the electrokinetic and thermomechanical capabilities of a graphene-coated geotextile, utilising recycled truck-tyre rubber sub-ballast mats for attenuation of noise and vibration in heavy haul and metro rail lines and assisting CSIRO with advancing the commercialisation of industrial hemp.