Containment

The International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) Indian Chapter (IGS India) has announced the publication of Volume 1, Issue 2 of the Indian Journal of Geosynthetics and Ground Improvement. This issue includes articles on "Comparative Study on the Performance of Piled Embankments with and without the Geosynthetic Reinforcement," "Evaluation of the Performance of Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil Walls Using a Geocentrifuge," and "A Case Study on the Use of Coir Geotextiles for Stabilizing a Steep Slope." Additionally, updates on forthcoming events and opportunities are included. The journal is distributed for free to IGS members, who also enjoy full access electronically to other international journals on geosynthetics. Join today. Learn more here.;

The strong registration for the August webinar on "Design Considerations for Coal Combustion Residual Landfills" has prompted a second session to be arranged. On September 14 at 10:00 am CDT, Chris Athanassopoulos, P.E. (CETCO) and John Seymour, P.E. (Geosyntec) will present an encore presentation of their one-hour webinar on the current state of practice related to geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) chemical compatibility and present research on new GCLs with improved chemical resistance to coal combustion residuals (CCRS). Design considerations for vertical/lateral expansions over CCR ponds and landfills will also be covered. Registration is free. Topics: CLs for CCR Containment; Advances in Design of Landfills over CCR Ponds and Landfills Learn more here.;

Geofabrics Australasia has announced the publication of the August 2012 issue of Geofabrics Journal. This issue includes a note about the differences between index and performance tests, the advantages of powdered bentonite versus granular, news of new premises in Adelaide, and a Tasmanian riverbank erosion control project that has utilized sand-filled geocontainers extensively (and to great success). Read the issue here.

Within the geotextile tube industry, producing a strong and secure textile injection port system has always proved challenging. Both the sewn attachment and the final closing method of these ports have never been as durable as the textile tube itself. TenCate Geosynthetics Americas has developed a rigid, mechanical injection port system (known as Geoport) which virtually eliminates unwanted stress at this location.

Australia-based testing services company ExcelPlas has moved to a new, larger facility. The new address is: ExcelPlas Testing Services (NATA Accredited Laboratory), 473 Warrigal Road (Rear Factory), Moorabbin VIC 3189, Australia; Tel: +61 (03) 9532-2207. Primary contacts are Rod Parry (Laboratory Manager), rod@excelplas.com; John Scheirs (Principal Consultant), john@excelplas.com; and Matthew Matin (Tech Service Manager), matt@excelplas.com. Learn more here.;

Huesker has released a new image brochure. Get a copy here (PDF).

On August 30, Chris Athanassopoulos, P.E. (CETCO) and John Seymour, P.E. (Geosyntec) will present a one-hour webinar on the current state of practice related to geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) chemical compatibility and present research on new GCLs with improved chemical resistance to coal combustion residuals (CCRS). Design considerations for vertical/lateral expansions over CCR ponds and landfills will also be covered. Registration is free.

From traditional bitumen membranes in roofing, in use for thousands of years and recorded in the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, to the latest single ply synthetic materials, waterproof membranes have enabled dramatic changes in infrastructure and civil engineering. Water reservoirs, dams, landfill and road tunnels are key applications of geosynthetics. On roofs, there are many green projects underway from gardens to solar reflectors to power generation, all supported by appropriate sealing structures. The Waterproof Membranes industry is gathering at the annual AMI international conference from 11–13 December 2012 at the Hotel Nikko, Düsseldorf, Germany. The markets will be reviewed along with the latest technology.

Titan Environmental Containment Ltd (www.titanenviro.ca) is proud to announce the appointment of geosynthetics industry veteran Sam Bhat, M. Eng, as VP Global Business Development and Chief Technology Officer – Geosynthetics. Sam has a specialized interdisciplinary engineering and management background and has served the global geosynthetics market for the past 22 years, having worked with some of the world’s leading geogrid organizations in the UK, USA and Canada.

National Geographic reports on the closure of "Little Blue Run," the largest coal ash pond in the United States. The 1,700-acre site does not have any geosynthetic lining system and has operated since 1974. Groundwater testing near the site has discovered that arsenic, sulfates, and chlorides have leached into the water from the coal ash reservoir. The United States still has no official policy on coal ash management, though the 1.1 billion gallons that spilled from an unlined Kingston, Tennessee facility in 2008 put the issue of coal ash regulation in the public eye and organizations such as the Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) have helped inform environmental agencies and policymakers on the how geosynthetic lining systems protect municipal solid waste facilities and could protect coal ash storage too. Learn more here.;

University of Kansas School of Engineering Ph.D. student Ryan Corey, one the Geosynthetic Institute's fellowship recipients, is conducting research regarding geosynthetic reinforcement over buried pipelines. Improving the safety of pipelines is a significant infrastructure need. More than 350 deaths, 1500 injuries, and $5 billion+ in property damage has been linked to pipeline problems in the past 20 years. Professor Jie Han is the advisor for Corey's work. Learn more here.;

On August 22, CETCO will hold its next "GCL University" session in Southern California. This day-long geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) seminar will be held at the Costa Mesa Marriott and will focus on methodologies for the practical inclusion of GCLs in the design of landfill cells and caps, mining, coal combustion residual sites and other industrial applications. Expert speakers include Dr. Ed Kavazanjian, Rick Thiel, P.E., Chris Athanassopoulos, P.E., and Joanne Lee. Register online.

On August 22, CETCO will hold its next "GCL University" session in Southern California. This day-long geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) seminar will be held at the Costa Mesa Marriott and will focus on methodologies for the practical inclusion of GCLs in the design of landfill cells and caps, mining, coal combustion residual sites and other industrial applications. Expert speakers include Dr. Ed Kavazanjian, Rick Thiel, P.E., Chris Athanassopoulos, P.E., and Joanne Lee. Register online. Learn more here.;

A proposed new ASTM International standard will provide guidance for the installation and use of factory fabricated geomembrane panels at job sites. ASTM WK38128, Guide for Identification, Packaging, Handling, Storage and Deployment of Fabricated Geomembrane Panels, is being developed by Subcommittee D35.10 on Geomembranes, part of ASTM International Committee D35 on Geosynthetics. Factory fabricated geomembranes that require less on-site installation work are becoming more prominent, but contractors, owners and site engineers are not always familiar with them.

The Geosynthetic Institute is delighted to announce the recipients of the 2012–2013 academic year GSI Fellowship Awards. In order to be eligible, students must: focus on a geosynthetic topic; have passed his/her candidacy examination leading to a doctorial degree; and be recommended by his/her major advisor. The GSI Board of Directors made the selections from a number of proposals from universities around the world. Announcements for the sixth year of the program will appear this winter, as well as being announced on the institute's website at www.geosynthetic-institute.org. Read more.

What are geosynthetics and why are they central to the creation of jobs and expansion of coastal restoration projects? A new Duke University study, "GEOSYNTHETICS: Coastal Management Applications in the Gulf of Mexico" details how the emerging geosynthetics industry can create jobs benefitting nearly 200 employee locations in 36 states, including more than 72 in the five gulf states and 24 in Louisiana. Duke has also created an online interactive map showing firm-level data and firm locations by state and value chain segment.

Adelaide-based Prospect Contractors has been involved in many construction and mining projects, but their work for Anglo Coal in Queensland provided a chance to set some new company records for gabion construction work. They've shared with us some details from this 900m-long work zone, including the large mix of gabion cubes and reno mattresses needed and to build the mining company's dam structure, spillways and weirs.

The Global Waste Management Symposium (GWMS) is not just another waste and recycling event – it's the ONLY event that truly celebrates technology and scientific innovation within our industry on a global scale. Here are 5 pretty fabulous reasons to attend GWMS 2012 (and register now at the Early Bird rate). Read more.

Here's a sign of dedication from one of Prospect Contractors' team members. His gabion expertise is not just a job, it's a way of life. And he's got the tattoo to prove it. Anyone else inked up in support of your geotechnical work? - chris@gesoynthetica.net Learn more here.;

ASTM International has announced the launch of two new peer-reviewed, online-only journals: Advances in Civil Engineering Materials (ACEM) and Materials Performance and Characterization (MPC). ACEM publishes high-quality articles on the properties and performance of materials such as concrete, asphalt, steel, polymers and polymeric composites, and wood for use in pavements, bridges and buildings, and other related applications. MPC seeks articles about both the theoretical and practical aspects of the structure, processing, properties and performance of materials used in mechanical, transportation, aerospace, energy systems and medical devices. Read more.

SKZ's Geosynthetics Middle East conference series continues with this year's event scheduled to take place in 19–20 November 2012 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi has been announced as the venue, and once again the conference will be held under the patronage of the Municipality of Abu Dhabi City. The international speakers, forward-looking issues, and strong UAE support have helped establish this event quickly as the leading event on geosynthetics in the Middle East. The call for papers has now been issued. Abstracts are invited through 20 August 2012. Read about the THEMES here.

The Geosynthetics Interest Group of South Africa (GIGSA), a chapter of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS), has released its July 2012 e-newsletter. GIGSA's newsletters are always full of useful content for and from the field, and this newsletter is no exception. In it, we learn of Gundle Geosynthetics' expansion in the marketplace, a note on the new GIGSA website, geotextile growth in China, three short course offerings on filtration and drainage in November, a case study on the N6 rehab, and much more. Read it today in PDF.

In a new book, stormwater compliance expert Jennifer Hildebrand shares her experience from the field and offers advice on how to evaluate design issues, avoid mistakes, determine best management practices, and anticipate and respond to challenges in stormwater management. Here, she tells us a bit more about the new book, "Straight Talk: Strategies for Environmental Compliance."

The July 2012 issue of Infusion, the corporate magazine from Australia-based engineering firm Coffey, includes a number of interesting perspectives and details on new transportation projects and mining issues. The Ballina Bypass's impressive design and construction is profiled, Ron D'Ercole looks at new Australian mine planning and closure rules, Western Australia's first contaminate site audit is conducted on a mine closure, and much more. Read the issue here in PDF.

The International Erosion Control Association (IECA) Region One is pleased to announce Joanna Fetherolf has joined the staff as Assistant to the Director and Sponsor Development. Fetherolf is the new point person for IECA Region One sales and will be working closely with the member community to enhance the value of their investment in IECA. She may be contacted at Joanna@ieca.org or +1 303 640 7554 for any inquiries regarding IECA sponsorship or advertising opportunities.