TRI's geosynthetics staff are heavily involved with standards development and technology transfer within this growing industry. We are familiar with all classifications of products, which include hybrids of natural and synthetic materials and many new products which are being introduced each year. Far more than a testing lab, we are well known throughout the industry as a source of diverse technical services with uncompromising quality and commitment to excellence. TRI senior staff are active in industry symposia and technical organizations such as the International Geosynthetics Society and the Geosynthetics Research Institute and frequently publish in the technical and scientific literature. Several of TRI staff are members of ASTM Committee D35 and ISO Technical Committee 221 on geosynthetics.

This section describes qualifications of the management and technical support team assembled to support research and testing projects in geosynthetics technology.

Vice President & Division Manager: Mr. Sam R. Allen

Mr. Allen is an experienced professional with a background in chemical and materials engineering, with specialization in the field of polymer testing and geosynthetics. He began his career in the geotechnical and construction materials testing field and has broadened the scope of his involvement in environmental engineering to include geosynthetics technology with specialization in laboratory testing operations. Presently Mr.Allen serves as Division Manager for TRI's geosynthetics program, which includes routine conformance testing services and chemical compatibility testing as well as sponsored R&D supported by government and industry. He is a member of the American Society for Testing and Materials Committees D35 on Geosynthetic Materials and has recently been elected as first Vice-Chair of this organization. He currently serves on the Technical Advisory Board of Geotechnical Fabrics Report, a geosynthetics industry trade journal. In addition, he serves on the Board of Directors of the Geosynthetics Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Finally, Mr.Allen serves as the Convevor of Working Group 5 on durability within ISO TC221.

email Sam Allen


Senior Engineer: Mr. C. Joel Sprague, P.E.

Mr. Sprague is an internationally recognized expert in the fields of geosynthetic engineering design and product development. Joel serves as Senior Engineer for TRI providing internal technical consulting and performance testing and design review project management. In addition, Joel contributes heavily to TRI's training services.

Joel's background includes early work at Hoechst Celanese Corporation (HCC) where he served as Senior Project Engineer for six years. While at HCC, Joel worked with design firms and agencies on the appropriate design of soil reinforcement and erosion control projects using geosynthetics. In addition, he directed product research and development. After leaving HCC, Joel spent time as the Manager of Engineering Services for the Nicolon Corporation. In this position, Joel directed geosynthetic engineering/technical support activities. In addition, he represented Nicolon in standards development and professional organizations.

email Joel Sprague

Geosynthetic Special Projects Manager: Mr. Jarrett Nelson

Mr. Nelson serves as the Special Projects Manager for the Geosynthetics Division. In this role, Jarrett manages many testing programs including: Conventional Creep/Stress Rupture, Stepped Isothermal (SIM), Erosion Control, Installation Damage, and Asphalt and Base reinforcement. Jarrett has been with TRI for over five years and is intimately familiar with over one hundred geosynthetics testing procedures, their function and issues specific to test control. Jarrett is well versed in geosynthetics materials, their subtle and unique qualities, and the many laboratory quality procedures used to assure their appropriate testing and evaluation.

email Jarret Nelson