Containment

The International Geosynthetics Society (IGS), International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE), and Tensar International have sponsored the publication of all of the previous Mercer Lecture Series papers online for free. The Mercer Lecture Series honors Dr. Brian Mercer, the inventor of the modern reinforcement geogrid. The prestigious Mercer Lecture is selected by a panel comprising of one representative from Tensar, ISSMGE, IGS and previous Mercer Lecture Award Winners.

In December 2004, Eurocode 7: Geotechnical Design - Part 1: General Rules (EC 7-1) was ratified by the European member states. This prompted a two-year calibration period and a three-year coexistence period between EC 7-1 and national standards. It will not be mandatory to design to the EN Eurocodes in a particular member state, but a designer proposing to use an alternative design standard will have to demonstrate that the alternative is technically equivalent to an EN Eurocode solution. Read more.

We have received word this week that industry veteran and friend Ronald Belanger has passed away. Ron owned and served as president of Anaheim, California-based Precision Geosynthetics Laboratories International (PGLI). In a letter to the industry, PGLI Vice President Cora Queja noted that "We join Ron Belanger’s family in this great loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Gisela (Gigi); daughter, Michelle; and granddaughter, Sydney. We will surely miss him." PGLI confirms that it is continuing its operations with the direction of long-time key personnel Cora Queja and Carmelo Zantua. Learn more here.;

The British Standards Institute (BSI) has just published Brian Simpson's book "Concise Eurocodes: Geotechnics: BS EN 1997: Eurocodes 7." Structural Eurocodes are a suite of design codes which will harmonize technical specifications for building and civil engineering works across Europe. Their introduction in March 2010 required the withdrawal of more than 50 British Standards. The change has been described as ‘the single most important change to construction standards ever’. Eurocode 7 (Geotechnics) includes information on the utilization of geosynthetics. Simpsons' book serves as a transition support primer for consulting engineers on Eurocode 7 design updates. Learn more here.;

Made from military grade materials, IPI Fuel Bladders are suited for storing potable water, wastewater, fuels, chemicals, dielectric oil, and alternative or blended fuels. Tanks utilize variety of geomembrane fabric materials with 3 in. overlap on seams. Fabrics are matched to application to resist temperature extremes, humidity, UV exposure, abrasion, and corrosion. Available with variety of connections, fittings, and valves, collapsible cells provide temporary and long term storage.

TenCate Geosynthetics Americas has developed a patent pending innovation that provides extra impact resistance to TenCate Geotube® containers that help protect shorelines, rebuild beaches and reclaim land from bodies of water. The Debris Shield of TenCate Geosynthetics is a specially engineered composite geotextile providing impact resistance by dissipating energy from an impact force from water-carried debris. This new technology provides additional protection against vandalism, UV radiation and abrasion. The Debris Shield will protect TenCate Geotube® containers and thereby extend their useful service life.

Realignment of the popular A7 trunk road was required to improve the safety, comfort and reliability of journey times on the A7. This involved eliminating several dangerous bends at Auchenrivock, Dumfries and Galloway. Adoption of Tensar International's low impact Tensartech slope and wall systems avoided potential possible environmental problems with the River Esk.

"Deep Foundations: Design, Construction and Quality Control - Load and Resistance Factor Design Platform (LRFD)" will be held 14-16 November 2011 at the University of Delaware Campus. This highly interactive 3-day course, presented by geotechnical engineering leaders Jerry DiMaggio and Christopher Meehan, will provide a thorough understanding of modern techniques for the design, installation and verification of deep foundations in LRFD platforms. Up to 2.3 CEUs or 23 PDHs may be awarded for full participation. Learn more here.;

"Geotextile Tubes: Coastal, Structural and Dewatering Design and Applications" will be held on the University of Delaware Campus 3-5 October 2011. This training opportunity presents the theory behind the use of geotextile tubes in both structural and dewatering applications, along with the latest developments in the industry and applications. An introduction to to GeoCoPS design software is included. Instructors: Dov Leshchinsky and Doug Gaffney. Up to 1.8 CEUs or 18 PDHs may be awarded for full participation. Learn more here.;

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers a 4-day training course on "Liner Design for Animal Waste Containment." The course discuses compacted clay liners, chemical dispensers and bentonite, soil liner treatment with soil additives, flexible geosynthetic liners, geomembranes (HDPE, LLDPE, PVC) and geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs). The core reference material for the course is: Appendix 10D, Chapter 10 Agriculture Waste Management Field Handbook. Learn more. Learn more here.;

From CE News' Professional Development Hours (PDHs) series of educational articles: "Geosynthetics in Articulating Concrete Block Section Design" looks at various approaches to hard armor erosion control designs that require geosynthetic separation, drainage and reinforcement protection. Readers of the article may take the quiz at the end and submit it to receive 1 PDH credit. The article and quiz are approved for use through August 2013. Learn more here.;

Following a comprehensive relaunch, the RENOLIT company website is now online. The manufacturer of high-quality plastic films and products has now merged all existing websites in a standardized platform on www.renolit.com. The new structure of the company's website is now better aligned to the diverse application areas of RENOLIT products. It replaces the former alignment to business areas and greatly simplifies the search for information.

The International Erosion Control Association (IECA) has announced the addition of one (1) free webinar credit to IECA's membership benefit offerings. Each new and renewing member of IECA will be vested annually with a free credit that can be used toward any live webinar IECA offers throughout the year.

Royal Ten Cate has released its financial results for the first half of 2011. Overall, the company is performing well, despite rising raw material costs--posting a 69% increase in profit over the same period last year. The company foresees growth for the geosynthetics division in Asia and South America currently and going forward. Read select highlights, comments and a review of the Geosynthetics and Grass Division performance here.

The American Public Works Association (APWA) has extended the early registration rate for the International Public Works Congress and Exposition conference to August 8. The event will be held in Denver, Colorado 18-21 September 2011 and offer more than 125 education sessions, hundreds of exhibitors in nearly 90,000 square feet of exhibit space, and much more. Learn more here.;

The San Jose Mercury News reports that the 19-year-old steel-construction diversion dam along Los Gatos Creek Trail will be replaced with an inflatable dam by 2013. The decision to go with an inflatable structure will make it easier for Santa Clara's water district to take down the dam during flood risk periods (allowing water to flow out into the ocean). The move will save labor and time; and, the district, more than 800 million gallons of local water will be saved with the new structure. Learn more here.;

Geofabrics Australasia has been providing geosynthetic solutions to engineering problems for more than 30 years. The company's core products are manufactured in Australia and include geosynthetics for landfill liners and covers, coastal protection, reinforcement, steep slopes, secondary containment, cellular confinement, and much more. Download the latest Product Overview and stay current on Geofabrics' offerings.

Expansion continues at the landfill as officials prepare more acres for solid waste collection in Maysville, Kentucky. During a special meeting Friday, members of the Mason County Fiscal Court awarded a bid to Environmental Construction for $113,542 to prep 2.88 additional acres with a geocomposite drainage net. Installing a drainage net is the final step in preparing the area for garbage collection, said Todd Leonard, landfill manager. Read more in the Ledger Independent. Learn more here.;

The program for the Solid Waste Association of North America's (SWANA) 2012 Landfill Gas Symposium will include presentations and project case studies featuring new technology, emission controls, system design and operations and unconventional applications. The deadline for abstract submission has been extended to August 15. Learn more and submit an abstract online. Learn more here.;

The Erosion Control Technology Council (ECTC) has recently approved and published a comprehensive General Usage and Installation Guideline for Sediment Retention Fiber Roll (SRFR). These guidelines are the product of consensus amongst leading manufacturers of SRFRs in the industry and are designed to satisfy the needs of engineers and designers and other end-users of these products. These guidelines provide expert information on appropriate application and spacing along with key elements for successful product performance.

When Tropical Cyclone Yasi made landfall on Australia's Queensland coast in February 2011, it presented a major challenge to the coastal infrastructure. This category 5 cyclone--the most-threatening rating--included wind gusts up to 290 km/h (180 mph). Up the Queensland coast it turned from Cardwell to Innisfail, creating a 7m surge that scoured at the shore, destroyed property, and delivered floods that damaged the region's infrastructure. Four significant ELCOROCK® structures took the full force of cyclone Yasi and provided the product with a real test of its capabilities.

The International Erosion Control Association (IECA) is calling for nominations for the IECA Board of Directors for terms beginning in February 2012. The IECA Board of Directors is made up of nine members, each serving a three-year term. The election for the three available positions will be held this fall. Learn more.

Download the European Wind Energy Association's (EWEA) offshore wind farm report in PDF. This July 2011 release includes details on the 4.5% growth in the sector through the first half of 2011 in Europe with 101 new offshore turbines adding 348 Megawatts (MW) of capacity.

The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) today published offshore wind energy statistics for the first half year of 2011, showing a comfortable 4.5% increase in installations of offshore capacity compared to the first half of 2010. EWEA reports that 101 new offshore wind turbines, with a total capacity of 348 Megawatt (MW), were connected to the power grids in the UK, Germany and Norway during the first six months of 2011. Read more and download the report.

The latest issue of NAUE News has been released. This issue features articles on the opening of a new Bentofix GCL plant in Malaysia to serve regional markets, scour protection for offshore wind farms, the new IQ series of GCL engineering information, construction of Berlin's new international airport (on geosynthetics), and much more. Read the issue here (PDF).