5 May 2010 – When Tony Allen, P.E., was at work on his civil engineering master’s thesis at Oregon State University in the early 1980s, he certainly couldn’t have foreseen the impact it would have during the next 30 years on geotextiles and geogrids in reinforcement applications. Of great importance, the work he pursued then (and since) has led to real understanding of the durability of geosynthetic reinforcements.
This year, Allen’s work may culminate with the publication of a long-needed geosynthetic reinforcement standard from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and ASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics — one that will have a strong impact on geosynthetic selection for critical reinforcement applications.
Read more about the influence of the T925 protocol in the May 2010 issue of CE News. The article, "Reinforcing the Practice," was authored by Geosynthetica’s Chris Kelsey.
Also included in the issue is an introduction to the push and availability for large-scale testing for erosion and sediment control materials. The term “best management practice,” or BMP, is one of the most frequent terms found in erosion and sediment control literature, short courses, and regulations. Large fines (some greater than $1 million) have been assessed to contractors, engineers, corporations, and government agencies that have failed to design, install, or monitor erosion and sediment control BMPs properly. However, until now there have not been true, standardized, long-term performance data to show any one BMP is actually best — or just better or even good. Large-scale performance testing will correct this.
Finally, geocellular systems have blossomed in the marketplace in recent years. They are being used for aggregate retention, some reinforcement, porous pavement/path creation, temporary roads, military defense systems, and so much more. The versatility of uses for these systems is in many respects the reason for the many options now available. But an ASTM D35 on Geosynthetics standard is lacking for this material class. One may be in the making.
