Geosynthetics in Vietnam
The United Nations (UN) Office for the Coordination of Human Affairs reports that the UN and the government of Vietnam are working together on a plan to better defend Vietnam against typhoons, flooding and even sea level rises. The article at IRIN News notes how geosynthetic flood defenses are being used for the first time in the south of the country. For example, geotextile have been installed beneath riprap embankments.
Learn more here.;
Geotechnical Seminar in Brunei
The Borneo Bulletin reports that on August 21 the Brunei Institute of Technology (ITB) in Rimba will hold a half-day seminar on "Geotechnical Solutions in the 21st Century." The session will concentrate mostly on hydraulic and coastal engineering and on newer techniques and technologies. Special geosynthetics experience will be provided by the main speaker, Dr. Michael Heibaum of Germany's Federal Waterways Engineering and Research Institute.
Learn more here.;
North American Green's New Site
North American Green has relaunched its website with a new look and a number of new pages, including a wonderfully expanded technical resources portion. Also of note: the hydraulically applied erosion control products (HydraMatriCx) section and the composite turf reinforcement mats (Vmax3) pages.
Learn more here.;
Wick Drains
It is seldom that one finds wick drains mentioned in the popular media, but the Southeast Missourian has "unearthed" them for its readers. The $180 million widening project of US Highway 67 has involved significant soil consolidation in parts of Missouri. One zone has used 1,200 wick drains to dry out a zone enough to safely construct an elevated road. The area had experienced flooding over the road as recently as 2002.
Learn more here.;
Metabolic Media
Advances in energy conversion, architecture, geotextile design and sensor technologies are leading material design Rachael Wingfield into urban gardening. Her "Metabolic Media" is an attempt to synthesize what has been discovered in other fields and material classes to create technologies that will enable more urban farming.
Learn more here.;
Feature Box: GSE's GeoVision Newsletter
The latest issue of GSE's GeoVision newsletter includes items on product availability and affiliated support services that can help ease the rising costs of constrution, GSE's regional sales managers, how the HyperNet TRx® geonet and FabriNet TRx® geocomposite offer triaxial high-flow performance with a biaxial structure, and the increase in construction of leach pads to meet global gold-mining demands. View the issue in PDF from GSE's news page.
Lawyers on Geomembranes
Canada's largest legal professionals recruitment firm, ZSA, has published a short piece from Golder Associates' Ian Hers on vapour mitigation, brownfield redevelopment and how service sector construction must cope with an industrial business past. He introduces readers of the Lawyers Weekly to geomembranes as vapour barriers.
Learn more here.;
European Flood Response
Though much attention was given in the press to the flooding in the central United States this year, Europe has also experienced significant floods. In Romania, they put out a call for support, including emergency geotextile fabric for erosion control, flood defense and levee repair. Poland responded, sending 15,000 sq. m.
Learn more here.;
Solmax's Historic Deal
Solmax International has worked closely with the mining industry in Chile for many years, but a deal reached last week with one firm is historic even for the company's long record of work in the region. The deal with one mining firm has secured 7,000,000 sq. m of PVC geomembrane from Solmax. Read more about it.
GWMS Final Schedule
The first Global Waste Management Symposium (GWMS) is nearly upon us. The event will take place 7-10 September 2008 in Copper Mountain, Colorado. The event organizers have announced their final schedule. For those attending, be sure to reserve lodging soon. Rooms have filled quickly for this event. Read more about the schedule in the release.
Erosion Control's New Website
Erosion Control magazine has relaunched its website with greater interactivity built in. It's a big step for the 15-year-old publication. In the release about the site's interactivity, editor Janice Kasperson says, "We hope readers will think of the magazine in a new way -- not as a one-way delivery of articles and information, but as a community."
Learn more here.;
Catching Up With…Han-Yong Jeon
The second installment in our "Catching Up With..." series visits with Professor Han-Yong Jeon of INHA Unversity GeoSynthetics Research Lab (GSRL). Korea is a growing market for geosynthetics use in construction and for exports. The topics being pursued at GSRL reflect the interests of the overall Korean industry.
Training Opportunities
Engineers, contractors, architects and other construction professionals are always in need of more professional development credits and new skills. We have two offerings to remind you of you today: EPDM Installation Training (from Firestone) and the Civil Applications and Design Seminar (from Tensar). All dates are in August and September.
IGS Norway Forms
Arstein Watn, the president of the newly formed Norwegian chapter of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS), reports on the chapter's long and winding road to formation.
GSI Fellowships: CORRECTION
An amended release on the 2008-2009 GSI Fellowships awards is now posted. One of the research topics was incorrectly listed in the original release.
Geogrid Erosion Control Plan
The River Deben Association in Suffolk County, United Kingdom, is turning its attention to a plan to use geogrid in an erosion attenuation barrier. The geogrids would be used to wrap and support bundled reeds.
Learn more here.;
Geotextiles & Geomembranes Best Papers 2007
R. Kerry Rowe, editor of Geotextiles and Geomembranes, has announced the Best Papers of 2007 from the journal. G&G is an Official Journal of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS). Read about the authors recognized and link to the abstracts from Rowe's column.
Feature Box: Earn PDH Credit with Firestone
Firestone's 4-hour seminar combines classroom demonstrations, discussion with expert staff and video training. It is designed for individuals interested in residential and light commercial lining projects. The next sessions will be held in Westminster, Colorado (Aug 14); Grant, Michigan (Aug 22); and Uniontown, Ohio (Sept 10). Contact Firestone about future offerings and how to get a seminar in your state or region.
Learn more here.;
Bergado in Sun Star
The Sun Star of Cebu, Philippines, has published an article about Dr. Dennes Bergado's presentation “Sustainabl Infrastructure and Mitigation of Hazards due to Climate Change and Global Warming.” Bergado is the president of the Thai Chapter of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS). Read the Sun Star's article about geotechnical engineering and geosynthetics.
Learn more here.;
Tensar Makes the Grade
Over at What's New in Building (WNIBi) they've picked up a piece from Tensar International on the Burnley Further and Higher Education by College construction project. The £81 million development saved considerably in time and money with reinforcement geogrids and wall system technologies that Tensar has used on other brownfields projects.
Learn more here.;
August 21: Earn 8 PDHs
The next Civil Applications and Design Seminar from Tensar is 21 August 2008 in Birmingham, Alabama. Topics may include geosynthetics in pavement design, reflective cracking reduction, waste containment applications, foundations, steep slope stability, design and construction of mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls, and wastewater treatment. Participants can earn up to 8 PDH credits.
Learn more here.;
Acid Rock Endgame
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's (PennDOT) lengthy I-99 Skytop road construction is finally nearing completion after five years of questions surrounding how to contain the old acid rock unearthed during the project. High-denstiy polyethylene (HDPE) liner has been used to make the former spoils site safe for the last stage of roadworks.
Learn more here.;
Lifetime of Geosynthetics – Dubai
SKZ's renowned "Lifetime of Geosynthetics" event is to hold its first session in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Registration for the two-day event is now open with an early-bird discount available through September 24. Dr. Helmut Zanzinger will chair the seminar, which takes place 22-23 October 2008. The second day will include a tour of an artificial lakes site. BMC Gulf, Leister and Agru are the events main sponsors.
2008-2009 GSI Fellowship Awardees
The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) has announced the winners of the 2008-2009 GSI Fellowship Awards. Each fellowship carries a $10,000, renewable stipend. A list of the students and topics--and contact information for the next fellowship call--is available here.
Design Note: Secondary Containment with Fuel Tanks
Ian Peggs of I-CORP INTERNATIONAL has submitted a 23-point design note on fuel tank secondary containment design. Of particular interest is the considerations that one must make when using geomembranes. Construction quality assurance (CQA) through electrical integrity surveys is encouraged...but it's successful only if the design is executed properly.
