Containment

ASTM International has been selected to provide certification for the U.S. Department of Agriculture biobased labeling program, a voluntary initiative to identify biobased products and to promote their sale among consumers seeking to purchase goods using renewable resources. As the selected provider, ASTM International will manage the Certification Program for Biobased Products, which will determine the product and package biobased content for manufacturers and vendors that choose to participate.

With the support of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS), North American Geosynthetics Society (NAGS), the American Society of Civil Engineers' (ASCE) Geo-Institute, the Geosynthetic Institute (GSI), and the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI), Geo-Frontiers 2011 is a can't-miss event. To keep readers abreast of the latest news leading up to the event and to highlight some of the conference and trade show's notable presentations and products, Geosynthetica.net has launched a Geo-Frontiers 2011 information page and e-newsletter.

HUESKER, a global leader in the manufacture of high-quality geosynthetics, is celebrating two milestone anniversaries in 2011. The Germany-based HUESKER Synthetic, GmbH marks 150 years of progressive materials manufacturing and the Charlotte, North Carolina-based center for the company's North American operations, HUESKER inc., celebrates its 20th anniversary as a distributor and producer of geosynthetics for construction, civil engineering, mining and other major sectors.

In recognition of the Presidents Day holiday here in the United States, the Early Registration Deadline for Geo-Frontiers 2011 has been extended. Please register by 23 February to receive the best pricing. Learn more here.;

American Excelsior Company announced that they are introducting a new innovative family of hydraulic mulches called Bindex™ at this year's International Erosion Control Association (IECA) tradeshow being held in Orlando, Florida later this month. This new family of hydraulic mulches includes a Bonded Fiber Matrix (BFM) along with Bindex Wood (wood fiber mulch with or without tackifier) and Bindex Blend (wood-paper blend mulch with or without tackifier).

East Coast Erosion Control, a global supplier of rolled erosion control products, hydromulches and turf reinforcement mats (TRMs), announces its newest offering: T-RECS™ (Turf Reinforcement Erosion Control Solution). Designed to provide extremely durable erosion control more quickly and at a more affordable price, the T-RECS™ system utilizes a revolutionary, three-dimensional, woven polypropylene, geotextile TRM structure that enables the user significant flexibility in installation without sacrificing performance.

The Green Bay Press Gazette reports on the growing acceptance of anaerobic digesters on farms. The average cost of $1.5 million has limited adoption, but as more farms adopt them and more systems are developed, costs are coming down and beneficial power generation revenue is realized. Geomembrane containment liners are gaining greater acceptance, though greater awareness of the potential is needed, the Press reports. Learn more here.;

Global water supplies are being called by some "the new gold." Concerns with scarcity and pollution have placed a premium on water in many regions, and this has brought about a renewed interest in conservation technologies. At Geo-Frontiers 2011, water management issues will be dicussed. A primary example of the improved methodologies for the containment and conveyance of this precious resource is Wednesday, March 16's 3:00 - 4:30 pm presentation from Carmen Franks with Allen Davis and Ahmet Aydilek. They will address "Geosynthetic Filters for Water Quality Improvement of Urban Stormwater Runoff." Learn more here.;

Geo-Frontiers 2011 brings together the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS), North American Geosynthetics Society (NAGS), the American Society of Civil Engineers' (ASCE) Geo-Institute, the Geosynthetic Institute (GSI), and the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI). REGISTER by February 21 to get the best rates for Geo-Frontiers 2011 (www.geofrontiers11.com). Learn more here.;

Immediately following Geo-Frontiers 2011, TRI/Environmental will host two days of liner integrity survey training at its Austin, Texas campus (March 17-18). Liner integrity survey remains a strong need in geosynthetics installations. These technologies are used to confirm the quality of geomembrane installations or identify areas in which damage may have occurred to a facility. Construction quality assurance (CQA) firms adept with these technologies are creating new revenue centers for themselves while providing these much-needed services to their clients. Learn more and register online. Learn more here.;

The 19th North American Waste-to-Energy Conference (NAWTEC) will take place 16-18 May 2011 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. This event is co-sponsored by major organizations such as SWANA. Eight concurrent technical sessions, global research updates, three keynote lectures, a large waste-to-energy trade show, and more characterize the gathering. Learn more at NAWTEC's website. Registration is now open. Learn more here.;

Standards and Specifications are vital to design and material selection. Engineers and Designers use them daily - but may not be getting the most out of the information presented. By joining this ASTM short course Designers will extend their understanding of materials, properties and corresponding values - allowing them to maximize their use of the data in their specifications. Learn more about this Sunday, March 13, short course. Learn more here.;

Austin, Texas-based TRI/Environmental Inc. has designed and is selling a new Capillary Porometer. This latest generation of equipment, designed specifically for geotextiles and the ASTM 6767 test, provides unmatched reproducibility in wet and dry testing conditions. Visit booth #213 to learn more. Learn more here.;

The Geosynthetic Institute's GRI-24 conference is co-located with Geo-Frontiers 2011. The discussions at GRI are always spirited, and year-after-year they touch upon the most timely (and practical) topics in the field. Two presentations of note at this year's full-day (Wednesday, March 16) GRI event include Archie Filshill of CETCO Contracting and Joseph Martin of Drexel presenting on "Comparison of Carbon Footprints for Various Storm Water Retention Systems" and Paul Oliveira of Firestone on "Geomembrane Function and Design into Water Management." These presentations will occur in Sessions 1 and 2, respectively. Learn more about the other presentations at GRI-24. Learn more here.;

Don't forget to visit the geosynthetica.net booth in the Geo-Frontiers 2011 registration area! We welcome your project stories, company news, technology updates, engineering advice, and anything else you are ready to share with your fellow professionals. Have something to tell us before the show? Contact the editor, Chris Kelsey, at chris@geosynthetica.net.

The Spartanburg Herald Journal (South Carolina) has published an article about Dan Hargett, a 63-year-old businessman who is now the driving force behind GeoHay, an erosion and sediment control product derived from recycled carpet fibers. Learn more here.;

In the latest issue of Engineering and Mining Journal, European Editor Simon Walker looks at heap-leaching technology and how mining companies are extending its application range. The article includes a section ("From the Bottom Up") on the growth of geosynthetic lining systems in heap leaching operations, with source credits to Allan Breitenbach and a paper co-authored by Mark Smith. Also, CETCO's composite lining system technologies are mentioned. (Photograph of site use currently available only in the print edition.) Read it online. Learn more here.;

After the success of the previous events, AMI's 4th edition of the Middle East Plastic Pipes Conference will take place 16-18 May 2011 at the JW Marriott Hotel in Dubai, UAE. This event is focused on the applications, markets and technology for plastics pipes in the Middle East region. Plastics pipes are increasingly replacing traditional materials in piping systems in the region in both new build and in rehabilitation and repairs.

takes place 13-16 March 2011 in Dallas, Texas. This seminal event includes multiple short Geo-Frontiers 2011 courses, 90 sessions within 10 technical tracks, student programs, networking events, awards programs, and the Geosynthetic Institute's GRI-24 conference, as well as four highly regarded plenary sessions: H. Bolton Seed Lecture, Peck Lecture, Terzaghi Lecture, and the Mercer Lecture. In addition to the educational component of Geo-Frontiers the event will feature an exhibit hall with over 120 geotechnical products and services exhibitors. Geosynthetica encourages its readers to take advantage of the early registration offer. The deadline for early registration is February 21. Learn more and register at the Geo-Froniters 2011 home page. Learn more here.;

Geo-Frontiers 2011 takes place 13-16 March 2011 in Dallas, Texas. In addition to the various technical sessions, short courses and trade show, Geo-Frontiers will also host a Student Poster Competition. This competition provides students with the opportunity to present a poster on a geotechnical engineering-related topic or project of their choice. Students are allowed to participate individually or as teams of two. The competition will consist of the presented poster and a brief (3 minute) presentation followed by questions from the judges. Interested participants should submit a one-page abstract up to 400 words that details the topic and include one graphic figure. Also, a submission form should be emailed to GIstudents@civil.tamu.edu by February 15. Notification of acceptance will be given by February 18. Learn more at the conference website. Learn more here.;

The deadline for submitting abstracts to Mine Closure 2011 is February 15. Erosion control and closure/capping systems will be among the key concepts discussed. Geosynthetica encourages its readers to submit. The 6th International Mine Closure Conference (MC 2011) will be held 18-21 September 2011 in Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada. This conference is a not-for-profit conference and is presented annually in various parts of the world by the Australian Centre for Geomechanics (ACG) and the Centre for Land Rehabilitation (CLR).

Everyone needs access to a landfill, but no one ever wants one in their own community. The truly unfortunate thing in these debates is that the engineering behind a landfill's construction is overlooked. In Conecuh County, Alabama, developers of a proposed 5,000 acre site doing all they can to inform the public of the landfill’s liner, the geonet leachate/gas management layer, and other elements to protect the site, but they are up against the legacy of a nearby site that was not designed with these types of controls. Learn more here.;

In March, the first Geo-Frontiers in 6 years will take place in Dallas, Texas (March 13-16), bringing together the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS), North American Geosynthetics Society (NAGS), the American Society of Civil Engineers' (ASCE) Geo-Institute, the Geosynthetic Institute (GSI), and the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI), which manages the biennial Geosynthetics conference series. Immediately following this important gathering, TRI/Environmental will host two days of liner integrity survey training at its Austin, Texas campus (March 17-18).

On April 7, GSE will host a "Geosynthetics 4 Success" technical seminar in Orlando, Florida. This dynamic seminar will address the latest developments in geosynthetics and the use of geosynthetics in solid waste, hazardous waste, liquid and coal ash containment. In addition to presenters from GSE, guest experts will include JP Giroud, Don Hullings and Richard Brachman. Learn more here.;

Geosynthetica maintains an employment opportunities page for the geosynthetics industry. For information on posting your company's open positions, contact Elizabeth Peggs at Elizabeth@geosynthetica.net, +1 561 655 2060, or email Chris Kelsey at chris@geosynthetica.net. We encourage interested candidates to contact directly the companies posting on the Employment Page. Currently, two jobs are posted.