Containment

Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) members were in Washington, D.C., 1-3 March 2010 for the association's semiannual Lobby Days. GMA has consistent representation in Washington through our contracted firms, Kemp Partners/Whitmer & Worrall. But to reinforce GMA's message on Capitol Hill, twice a year GMA-member companies send representatives to meet with Members of Congress as both constituents and members of our trade association. Read more in the summary report from GMA managing director Andrew Aho.

A team of University of Delaware engineering students has taken top honors in the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Geo-Challenge Student Competition on Mechanically Stabilized Earth Wall Construction. Held at GeoFlorida 2010 on February 23, the competition required teams of students to design and construct a scaled-down model of a mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall in which dry sand reinforced with paper is retained behind a paper wall that has been constructed in a plywood form. Read more from Diane Kukich.

The world's largest manufacturer of fiber optic sensors for civil engineering applications and the world's leading provider of geosynthetics are collaborating in the development of a unique geotextile monitoring solution -- TenCate GeoDetect® -- that will provide unprecedented detail about the properties of embankments, slopes, walls, levees, roads, rails and other earth structures. Customers will benefit from the real-time monitoring of every square meter of land for ground movement, soil erosion, settlement and other changes. Read more.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, who has highlighted strengthening tribal partnerships as a top priority during her tenure, today announced an internal restructuring that brings EPA's international and tribal programs together under one umbrella organization called the Office of International & Tribal Affairs (OITA). This restructuring was initiated in response to a request from the tribes to reconsider the proper location of the American Indian Environmental Office (AIEO).

The International Erosion Control Association (IECA) has joined the Constant Contact Business Partner Program to provide members and other industry professionals with easy-to-use email marketing, event marketing and online survey products to help them build strong, lasting customer relationships. Constant Contact®, Inc. is a leading provider of email marketing, event marketing and online survey tools for organizations and businesses.

The International Erosion Control Association's (IECA) Malaysia Chapter has been awarded a grant from Shell Malaysia. The award, which is one of seven offered this week to non-governmental organizations (NGOs), comes as part of the corporation's Shell Sustainable Development Grants program. The IECA Malaysia Chapter was recognized for its capacity-building project on mangrove planting on Carey Island. The chapter conducted its work for an Orang Asli (aboriginal) village.

The Alfred Noble Prize recognizes a published technical paper of exceptional merit whose author is 35 years of age or younger. Nominations are now being accepted for the 2010 Noble Prize. Eligible papers must have been published between May 2008 and June 2009. In addition to publicity you will receive in ASCE media, Noble Award winners receive a special certificate and may be eligible for a cash prize. Nominations are due by May 1. Learn more here.;

Sika AG announces that its subsidiary Sika (Japan) Ltd. has acquired the construction sealant business of Henkel Japan Ltd. The acquired business includes the well-known trademarks, Bellace and Duribbon, which are well established in the Japanese construction market with annual sales of JPY 1115 mn (approx. CHF 12.3 mn). With this acquisition, Sika will complement its Sikaflex range and strengthen its market position in the Japanese construction sealant market. Relevant sales and technical employees have agreed to transfer to Sika (Japan) Ltd.

SKZ, with scientific committee support from Cemagref and the Geosynthetic Institute (GSI), will host the 3rd International Symposium on Geosynthetic Clay Liners (GBR-C 2k10) 15-16 September 2010 at the Fortress Marienberg in Würzburg, Germany. Technical sessions will address shear and mechanical behaviour of GCLs, chemical resistance of GCLs, testing of GCLs under unsaturated conditions, behaviour of GCLs in landfill covers (case studies), regulations, new concepts and developments in the use of GCLs, and GCLs for hydraulic and construction applications. Visit the conference's new website. Learn more here.;

Tri-Tech Holding Inc., a premier Chinese company that engineers, manages and monitors municipal sewer systems, natural waterways and other water resources, announced today that it has received a RMB25.4 million (approximately US$3.7 million) Build-Transfer (BT) contract for construction of a residential solid waste sanitary landfill for Xinle City, Hebei province. The project will utilize an enhanced sanitary landfill process, combined with a composite impervious system, and a geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembrane to protect underground water resources and the environment.

Three short years after opening their first laboratory in the Chinese market in 2006, Precision Geosynthetic Laboratories International (PGLI) is thrilled to announce they are the First Foreign Geosynthetic Laboratory to be certified by the CMA (China Metrology Accreditation). This Accredidation allows PGLI to reaffirm to their customers they are receiving the highest level of quality testing available. A CMA certification allows PGLI to issue reports with the CMA mark, which is accepted by the Chinese Government for evaluation of a products quality and safety. It is also used for the conformance to the mandatory standards in China.

HDR has performed reservoir analysis for the Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority in Virginia. During a public meeting, an HDR representative reported very favorable conditions at the reservoir site and that dredging could help maximize the site's capacity. The study estimated the reservoir's water storage volume at a minimum 1,247 million gallons. The estimated dredging volume totals 1.54 million cubic yards of sediment. Part of the presentation included a video showing how geotextile tubes are used for dewatering. Learn more here.;

The African geosynthetics industry, and particularly South Africa's experts, took center stage last September during GeoAfrica 2009, which was the first African regional conference on geosynthetics. One of that region's main players is South Africa-based Kaytech, a wide-ranging manufacturer and distributor of materials for road construction and maintenance, drainage and filtration, erosion control, waterproofing, separation and reinforcement. Kaytech is growing steadily in the international market, both from its headquarters and through expanding its involvement elsewhere.

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Geo-Institute held its annual event in West Palm Beach, Florida 20-24 February 2010. And I am very pleased to report that the event was vibrant with a broad range of activity and healthy level of attendance. One of the remarkable characteristics of this event was the diversity of both attendee specializations and subject matters covered. Every facet of industry and academia seemed to be represented by the 850+ attendees. The 3.5-day technical program was so completely full that at times it was difficult for attendees to choose which of the sessions to attend. Read more from Elizabeth Peggs.

TRI/Environmental will host another CQA Week that offers essential education in these areas during the week of 12 November 2010 at its Austin, Texas campus. Activities will include both classroom and field study (in on-site test pits) of liner integrity surveys--also known as, leak location--with electrical resistivity testing; two days of QA/QC short courses on geosynthetic installation and use of compact clay and geosynthetic clay liners; and the CQA Certification Exam from the Geosynthetic Institute's (GSI) CQA Inspectors Certification Program. Learn more about it here.

After 13 years as the Director of the ASCE's Geo-Institute, Carol Bowers is departing…for another position within ASCE. Bowers is taking a fantastic new challenge in transferring to a newly created position within ASCE for the creation of a Sustainable Infrastructure Rating System. The project is just getting underway--Geosynthetica will keep you posted as the program develops. In the meantime, Carol is overseeing projects and keeping a hand on the Geo-Institute until such time as her successor is named. Applications are being accepted for this position. We congratulate Carol on her new endeavor and look forward to seeing the rating system develop. Learn more here.;

The Charitable Fund of IECA, Save Our International Land, held a silent auction at EC10. The auction raised $4650 and featured unique items generously donated by members with all proceeds benefiting the SOIL Fund. The grand prize item was a Tommy Silt Fence Machine donated by Tom Carpenter, CPESC, which went to Jules St. Laurent for $3000. Learn more here.;

The latest issue of Compounding World magazine is now available for viewing on-line. Use the link below to see our March 2010 edition in full. This issue includes articles on polymer distribution strategies; developments in antioxidants; the inside story on extruder design; concerns over RoHS revisions; nanotubes are the talk of Tokyo; Chemtura shifts its focus; and more. Learn more here.;

Join more than 270 professionals from around the state and region for the Minnesota Erosion Control Association's (MECA) 22nd Annual Erosion Control and Stormwater Management Conference & Trade Show, 11-12 March 2010 at the Holiday Inn & Suites in St. Cloud. Network with stormwater and erosion control professionals from around the Midwest and learn about cutting edge projects, innovative designs and products. Visit www.mnerosion.org for the conference brochure and registration link, or call MECA at +1 763 478 3267. Learn more here.;

Geo-Frontiers 2011 brings together the North American Geosynthetics Society (NAGS), the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Geo-Institute (GI) and the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI). It will be held 13-16 March 2011 in Dallas, Texas. The conference organizers have announced an extension to the abstract submission deadline. Abstracts will now be accepted through 15 March 2010.

TenCate GeoDetect® is the first sensor enabled geotextile on the market to provide soil reinforcement, structural health monitoring and an early warning system into one package. Getec is an established geo structural monitoring company that provides bespoke monitoring packages and instrumentation. Getec and TenCate are working together to promote TenCate GeoDetect®, for embankment and slope monitoring. Learn more here.;

Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation and Industry Richard Marles today launched a $2.4million research centre that will investigate ways to contain potentially hazardous leaks from mine waste, domestic tips, tank farms and dams. Australian manufacturer Geofabrics Australasia has privately funded the centre, which will test the chemical reactivity, UV resistance and friction properties of materials used to line waste facilities.

Located throughout the U.S. and in 6 other regions of the world, the Chapters of the International Erosion Control Association (IECA) are instrumental in providing the erosion and sediment control community with education and networking opportunities through regional conferences, workshops, field days, newsletters, websites and other services.IECA is proud of the following Chapters for their achievements. (Continued.)

Cal Poly's Brent Hallock received the Presenter of the Year Award at the 41st conference and expo of the International Erosion Control Association (IECA) held recently in Dallas, Texas. The award recognizes an outstanding presenter that demonstrates excellence in presentation skills, educational delivery and content preparation. Hallock received the award for his course "Principles and Practices for Using Vegetation to Prevent Erosion." Read more.

The January/February 2010 newsletter from the European Renewable Energy Council (EREC) is now available in PDF. This issue includes a list of conference and seminar opportunities for the year, updates on European nations' renewable energy target status, "road maps" for meeting targest in some nations, and much more. Learn more here.;