Containment

A baffled crump weir flow control structure was used for the first time at a UK dam at the Burn of Mosset flood alleviation scheme. The Scottish project has been operating successfully under flood conditions and is enhancing the ecological status of the watercourse. To make the design safe, the earth fill surface was benched and covered with a needle-punched geotextile. A 600mm layer of coarse gravel was placed on the benched profile, covered with a 400mm layer of open stone asphalt and topsoil. From International Water Power & Dam Construction. Learn more here.;

Riva Nortje, the vice president of the Geosynthetics Interest Group of South Africa (GIGSA), reminds members that the biennial Gigsa awards are due by 30 June 2011. Categories include "Development in Technology" and "Construction." She notes that the GIGSA committee intends to issue these awards during the two-day short course to be presented by Professor R. Kerry Rowe at the Centurion Council Chambers on 6-7 September 2011. That course topic is "Geosynthetics in bottom liners and covers for use in lagoons, secondary containment, landfill and mining applications".

Founded in 1988 to provide Canada with technical resources for geosynthetics, CTT Group’s Geosynthetics Division, known as SAGEOS, offers innovative R&D services, reliable laboratory testing and independent expertise to manufacturers, engineers and contractors seeking technical answers and solutions for projects that involve geosynthetics. After two decades of continuous growth and thousands of satisfied clients, SAGEOS proudly serves hundreds of customers every year. With about $5 million in cutting edge laboratory equipment spread over 20,000 square feet of laboratory space, and a network of specialized partners, we offer world class, multilingual services in all areas of the world. Learn more about the many tests offered by SAGEOS in support of the geosynthetics field (PDF). Learn more here.;

We missed this in the news two weeks ago, but it's worth sharing. Propex Inc. has gifted the village of Lake Delton in Wisconsin $100,000 worth of erosion control products to help with some key projects. Propex's ArmorMax system will be used by the village, especially with steep slopes. The product has proven itself in New Orleans' infrastructure repair. This is a fantastic gesture on Propex's part. Learn more here.;

The Journal of Environmental Quality's (JEQ) most recent issue includes "Can Urban Tree Roots Improve Infiltration through Compacted Subsoils for Stormwater Management?" The researchers who produced the article examined the effects of root penetrations on water infiltration and examined water detention system using special soil arrangements and geotextile separation fabrics. “Manipulating root penetration through these separation geotextiles could potentially play a large role in bioretention system function and design," says the project lead, Susan Day of Virginia Tech. Learn more here.;

Neabsco Creek in eastern Prince William County, Virginia is a tributary to the Potomac River and has been part of commerce in the region since the 18th century. Its commercial importance has gradually become recreational and environmental, but significant habitat degradation has led to the need to repair drainage zones and eroding slopes. Maccaferri Inc. provided design assistance and supplied gabions for the site's correction. Read about this case study and others in Steve Goldberg's article "Channel Protection Measures" in the January/February 2009 issue of Erosion Control. Learn more here.;

Ground has been broken on a major landfill rememdiation project that will create a 132-acre park on Staten Island. A 40-mil geomembrane liner will be installed on top of the new layer of soil. A drainage net will be installed on top of the liner to collect stormwater. A 12-inch barrier protection layer of soil will be installed to provide drainage and protect the liner. Read more about this important project site.

As promised, we reveal here today (December 29) the top stories in geosynthetics for 2016 on Geosynthetica. The stories have been ranked by most read, with the further caveat...

The Technical Textiles & Nonwoven Association is proud to announce the release of its latest learning resource on Geosynthetics: a series of informational geosynthetics lectures posted openly on YouTube. The videos address applications for geosyntehtic use and core product functions. Read more.

Jennifer Hildebrand will lead the Internatinoal Erosion Control Association's (IECA) next free webinar event, "Construction Inspection Techniques That Really Work." This webinar will look at inspection programs that really do work! The focus will be both from the perspective of the inspector for a regulatory agency and the inspector who may be inspecting their own sites. It is worth 1 PDH. Learn more here.;

Poly(vinyl chloride) is applied in almost every aspect of our lives because it is easily modified and inexpensive. However, it is characterized by poor heat and UV resistance due to the presence of some abnormal structures that originate from synthesis. Such groups include unsaturated double bonds, allylic chlorines and branch points. Addition of thermal stabilizers is, therefore, required to prevent thermal degradation during processing (which usually occurs at temperatures of 150–180°C). Commonly used thermal stabilizers for PVC belong to one of four categories: lead salts, metal soap, organotin compounds and some auxiliary stabilizing materials. Learn more here.;

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today released action plans developed by 22 electric utility facilities with coal ash impoundments, describing the measures the facilities are taking to make their impoundments safer. In addition to the action plans released today, EPA is also releasing assessment reports on the structural integrity of an additional 40 coal ash impoundments at 16 facilities across the country. Most of the 40 impoundments have a rating of "high" or "significant" hazard potential, indicating the potential for harm in the event of impoundment failure. Read more.

Not much can be done to halt the volume of oil washing in on the Gulf of Mexico shores, but some counties are installing a double line of protection with floating booms further out and fabric fencing just off shore. Jackson County, Mississippi, for example, is installing 50,000 feet of fencing. Learn more here.;

Waterproof Membranes 2014 brings together geotechnical and architectural users, manufacturers and researchers of materials such as roofing membranes and geomembranes. The diverse audience, with representatives from all levels in...

John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods Inc., and John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods of the Carolinas Inc., based in Atlanta, Ga., have agreed to pay a $350,000 civil penalty to resolve alleged violations of the Clean Water Act, the Justice Department and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today. The companies have also agreed to implement company-wide storm water compliance programs at their construction sites that go beyond current regulatory requirements. EPA estimates that the agreement will keep approximately 37 million pounds of sediment from polluting the nation's waterways each year.

На сегодняшний день автомобильные пробки являются одной из главных проблем Москвы и Подмосковья. По данным ГИБДД в 2013 году количество зарегистрированных автомобилей в Москве - около 5 миллионов, при этом ежегодный...

TenCate Geosynthetics is working with the U.S. Amry Corps of Engineers on the rehabilitation and protection of the coastal strip of Grand Isle in New Orleans (Louisiana). Miles of tubes are being installed to correct years of coastal erosion and best defend the shoreline against future hurricanes. Engineering News Record (ENR) has posted a news video detailing the work, how the design has been inspired by installations in Texas, and future expectations. Learn more here.;

Geosindex.com is a new geosynthetic data website with sortable product data tables on geomembranes, geogrids, geotextiles, other geosynthetics. The website continues to evolve with more international manufacturers adding products and updating data and linked specifications. Learn more.

One of the biggest names in geosynthetics installation and contracting, Colorado Lining International, continues to reinvent itself. In recent years, it has introduced a number of new products...

A two-decade-old cleanup project in Yakima, Washington is about to conclude. The former asphalt and concrete production area underwent significant soil removal and petroleum contamination remediation. A liner was installed and a relfection pond created. Now, a short pathway may be added to complete the site's recreational transformation. Learn more here.;

A Chinese government "pollution census" has found that farm fields are a far bigger source of water contamination in China than factory effluent. The two-year study involved 570,000 people. According to the study, agriculture is responsible for 43.7% of the nation's chemical oxygen demand (the main measure of organic compounds in water), 67% of phosphorus and 57% of nitrogen discharges. Learn more here.;

China Daily reports that the government of China has closed approximately 46,000 illegal mining firms over the past two years for safety and pollution violations. The country has wrestled with, and granted considerable latitude towards, environmentally damaging practices. The State Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) and affiliated agencies have vowed to establish and enforce more stringent mining regulations. Learn more here.;

The Global Waste Management Symposium (GWMS) is to very well attended. Sunday evening opened with an evening reception on the lawn of the host site, the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort. Monday morning started bright and early with a 7:30 breakfast in the main exhibit room, which bustled with activity right up until Dr. Thomas Christensen's Keynote Lecture at 8:30. Read more.

American Environmental Group Ltd. (AEG) has announced the promotion of John Beeman, a 25+ year veteran of the field, to Division Manager – Geosynthetics. Beeman's new responsibilities include estimating, project management, field operations, and business development. The Geosynthetic Division, staffed with over 300 experienced team members, is AEG's largest division and operates throughout the United States. John will continue to report to Carl Apicella, AEG's President, and will remain based in the Richfield, Ohio, corporate office.

The Canadian Geotechnical Society’s annual conference is always a highlight on the international geotechnical calendar. This year, however, the organizers in Calgary had to cancel the plan for an in-person...