Containment

By most reports, 2012's construction activity has been furious. Many manufacturers have moved advanced expansion plans begun or announced in 2011, and those decisions seems to be paying off as the on-site services side of the industry (e.g., installation and CQA) also reports significant increases in business. A number of companies have even hired on multiple new full-time employees and expected a considerable growth in seasonal work positions. But as the mid-year work dies down (at least enough to breathe), events take over the calendar. Here are four events (3 in Europe, 1 in the US) Geosynthetica is looking forward to.

International geosynthetics manufacturer HUESKER has announced a new social media initiative. Andreas Elsing, Product and Marketing Manager at HUESKER notes that the company does not initially intend to focus on any exclusive content to its social media channels, but like many businesses will utilize social media for additional communication opportunities with its global customer base. Learn more.

ASTM International Committee D35 on Geosynthetics has announced that D7748, 12e1 Standard Test Method for Flexural Rigidity of Geogrids, Geotextiles and Related Products has been editorially changed. This test method covers the measurement of stiffness properties of geogrids, geotextiles and geogrid-geotextile composites all of which are referred to as geosynthetics within this standard. Bending length is measured and flexural rigidity is calculated through use of the cantilever test procedure. Learn more here.;

From 23 to 25 May 2012 the annual meetings of the European Committee for Standardization on Geosynthetics (CEN TC 189) took place at UNI in Milano. For the first time, the meetings were chaired by Daniele Cazzuffi (CESI SpA, Milano), who was unanimously elected President of the Committee in January 2012, for a period of three years 2012–2014. Cazzuffi is a geosynthetics veteran who also previously served as president of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) Council. The annual meetings in Milano were attended by more than 100 experts from 12 European countries and from the United States.

The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) has just published its White Paper #22: "Selected Geosynthetic Opportunities Associated with Energy Production and Transmission." The 16-page paper (available here as a PDF) from Drs. Robert and George Koerner looks at global energy use, geosynthetics in key sectors (e.g., oil and gas, mining, hydroelectric), and geosynthetics in renewable energy. The authors write, "...the geosynthetics community should focus efforts by being proactive with respect to the various energy sources as applies to federal and state agencies, public advocacy groups, local citizen groups and all related stakeholders." A chart of energy sources and the geosynthetic applications associated with them is included. Read more.

Black & Veatch's 2012 Electric Utility Report, which summarizes a broad survey of the energy field, indicates that the industry believes "...there will be some certainty [in terms of legisation] on carbon; that prices for electricity will continue to rise; that while coal has a future, renewables have a growing but limited one; and that water is a critical environmental concern." Concerns over nuclear storage have grown, and the potential impact of renewable energy technologies on energy prices (already upwardly pressured) ranges wildly. Download the 74-page report (PDF).

Hong Kong's NENT Landfill features a reinforced fill slope, highlighted by a 35m-high, 340m-long embankment that bridges two hilltops. This dynamic construction has enabled the site to properly plan for future waste burial needs in an area that features one of the world's most densely populated cities and most difficult availability for new land on which to construct. This unique embankment design is engineered for stability on both the west and east sides as a standing embankment and for the overall stability as the waste is deposited against the west face. Learn more about this innovative project and its geogrid reinforcement.

International geosynthetics manufacturer Tenax has added three geogrid reinforcement products to its US portfolio: Tenax TT, Tenax Rivel, and Tenax T-Block. Tenax TT is a chemically inert, high tensile strength, high density polyethylene geogrid for soil reinforcement applications. Tenax Rivel uses the TT geogrid in an integrated system with a metal formwork and vegetative matting. Tenax T-Block is a retaining wall system that utilizes Tenax TT geogrid reinforcement. Learn more at the company's website. Learn more here.;

The Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI) held its sixth short course in Salt Lake City, Utah on May 21. The course was attended by one hundred and two (102) people. The excellent and timely presentations focused on the use of fabricated geomembranes for coal combustion residuals, oil and gas related activities, and mining applications. In addition, the course included two excellent local speakers to bring local experience and issues to the attendees. Joergen Pilz, Design Engineer with Rio Tinto, gave the following two presentations: (1) use of geosynthetics in mining applications in the morning and (2) four mining related case histories in the afternoon. Steven Bartlett, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Utah, gave an informative presentation on geofoam and use of geomembranes to protect geofoam in a variety of applications. Learn more.

In the most recent newsletter from the Geosynthetics Interest Group of South Africa (GIGSA), Maccaferri's Edoardo Zannoni (who chairs GIGSA's subcomittee on specifications) writes on the role of ISO in harmonizing international terminology and cross-border understanding of geosynthetics. Zannoni notes that the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) has established multiple committees to bring South Africa's standards practices with geosynthetics in line with ISO. We reprint Mr. Zannoni's article by permission of GIGSA here.

Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc., one of the world's largest producers of corrugated high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe, has a new program on its website that automatically designs a Nyloplast® drain structure. Entering just minimal information enables the proprietary software to customize a basin for any project. Input sections include type of pipe, basin diameter, and details for each branch including diameter, angle plus invert height. The program then provides a drawing and list of components that can be immediately ordered or saved in the user's private account. The Custom Basin Configurator can be found at www.ads-pipe.com, or at www.basinconfigurator.com.

While nosing around in Geosynthetica's archives, we happened upon an interesting photo (dated 2004) of Ian Peggs conducting a liner integrity survey while suspended from a crane. Though liner integrity surveys are common, the conditions in which they must be conducted vary wildly. We asked Dr. Peggs if he might offer a few notes about this particular situation. Here's what he shared with us. Read more.

Cooley Group, a leading designer, developer and manufacturer of high performance, sustainable, engineered membranes for some of the world's highest-profile advertising, chemical containment, military, environmental protection and roofing initiatives, has announced additional developments that underscore the Company's commitment to sustainability and corporate social responsibility. The developments are part of a larger and continuous social responsibility commitment by Cooley to lead the industry's sustainability efforts; better serve its customers through the sustainable solutions the Company deploys; support the communities where Cooley works; and protect the broader environment.

The International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) has announced that the IGS French Chapter has translated the engineering document "Recommended Descriptions of Geosynthetics Functions, Geosynthetics Terminology, Mathematical and Graphical Symbols." Originally drafted in English, this internationally unifying publication has been translated completely by French Chapter Members Dr. Nathalie Touze-Foltz (IGS Council Member) and Dr. Camille Barral.

TRI Environmental, Inc. (TRI), a leading international geotechnical, geosynthetic and erosion control materials services company, has announced the acquisition of advanced testing equipment from the former Bathurst Clarabut Geotechnical Testing (BCGT) office in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Among the noteworthy testing capabilities: a specialized large-scale testing apparatus for analyzing the connection strength of segmental retaining wall blocks, a mobile very large-scale (VLS) shear box—one of a few of its kind in the world—for on-site waste shear strength testing up to 3 ft cu samples, six segmental retaining wall creep frames, and a plain loading device to facilitate bench-scale bearing capacity studies for geosynthetics used in soil improvement applications.

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.

In December 2011, Fiberweb turned its corporate focus to the global geosynthetics and technical fabrics markets. With a long history of material innovation to draw from, Fiberweb has also rebranded its company as "The Next Answer" and redesigned its website.

Solmax International, a manufacturer of polyethylene geomembranes and pre-fabrication specialist with PVC geomembranes, seeks a Senior Technical Manager to join its team. Solmax, based in Varennes (Montreal) Canada, was recently named one of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies this year and exports to 60+ countries. The Senior Technical Manager is expected to support the Americas and Europe Sales team in supporting, developing and expanding the clientele and market coverage. Learn more.

Rowad International Geosynthetics has updated its HDPE and LLDPE geomembrane data. Rowad manufacturers to GRI standards and is active internationally. Learn more here.;

Tensar is appointing Mala Nanda as Vice President and General Manager Asia Pacific, in a company move which emphasizes its commitment to the area. Based in Shanghai, Mala Nanda has exceptional experience in the construction supply sector, particularly her impressive progress with Owens Corning since 1994, latterly becoming General Manager, Asia Pacific South and winning company awards. Her brief tenure there included developing and investing in the Indian sub-continent, and developing the Australian market.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is launching a new design competition called the Campus RainWorks Challenge to encourage student teams on college and university campuses across the country to develop innovative approaches to stormwater management. The competition will help raise awareness of green design and planning approaches at colleges and universities, and train the next generation of landscape architects, planners, and engineers in green infrastructure principles and design.

World Bioenergy will, once again, be the meeting point for everyone who wants to meet bioenergy professionals from all corners of the world. Currently, 533 companies and organizations from 52 countries have registered one or more persons to attend the event in Jönköping, Sweden 29–31 May 2012. We welcomed them and hope that you too will take part in trade fair, conference, matchmaking, study visits and side events on biomass for energy. Who has registered so far? See a company list of attendees here.

The International Erosion Control Association (IECA) has announced that Barry Fagan, PE/PLS, CPESC, is being recognized with the 2012 Presenter of the Year Award for the second consecutive year. This award recognizes an outstanding presenter who demonstrates excellence in presentation skills, educational delivery and content preparation. The winner is determined through the review of presenter evaluations received at IECA's annual conference and expo.

The 6th edition of AMI's Waterproof Membranes conference will be held 11-13 December 2012 at Hotel Nikko in Düsseldorf, Germany. This annual gathering focuses on the exchange of technical information on geomembranes and roofing/architectural membranes. Research updates, market data, case studies and manufacturing advances are presented. Learn more about the key deadlines (abstracts, early registration) and sponsorship opportunities.

Jonathan Shamrock of Jones and Wagener writes on "Some Implications of the New Waste Facility Regulations" in South Africa. These changes will impact municipal and hazardous waste landfill lining system designs as well as capping system designs. While these new regulations raise the bar for safety in SA's environmental engineering, they may also indicate more potential failure planes within designs. Will the stringent codes prompt more communication among construction teams? Will they warrant more CQA? Jonathan Shamrock's comments on the country's changing regulatory landscape, orignally authored for the GIGSA Newsletter, are worth reading.