Ground Improvement

SKZ, with scientific committee support from Cemagref and the Geosynthetic Institute (GSI), announces the 3rd International Symposium on Geosynthetic Clay Liners, to be held at the Fortress Marienberg in Würzburg, Germany 15-16 September 2010. Abstract and papers for oral or poster presentations are invited on the following topics: Application / case studies (Landfills, Canals, Reservoirs / Dams, Transportation Infrastructure) • Durability / Lifetime • Laboratory testing • Performance (Cation exchange, Desiccation, Experience from excavation • Regulations / Approvals. Abstracts must be submitted via e-mail to: gbr-c2k10@skz.de no later than 30 September 2009. View the flyer in PDF.

The following is a letter sent by Andrew M. Aho, executive director of GMA, to GMA members, regarding the proposed separation geosynthetics study. geosynthetica encourages its readers to contact GMA for more information on how you can help; and we encourage you to send a letter to applicable state and federal officials in support of this important study. Links to sample letters are provided in the article.

During the week of 10 May 2009 the T-CLIC liner integrity survey and assessment (LISA) course was taken on the road to Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Nine people from Atlantic Lining, Elliot Construction, and Jaques-Whitford (now Stantec) attended the one-day classroom session, a one-day hands-on session in three test cells, two days of "production surveys," and a 90-minute written test presented by Dr. Ian D. Peggs. (Continued.)

The Minnesota Erosion Control Association (MECA) reminds readers that registration spots are still available for the May 28 field seminar on "Building Lot Erosion & Sediment Control." A major component of the field day will be compliance with NPDES activities in Minnesota. The brochure/registration form is available on MECA’s website. Learn more here.;

In Oak Ridge, Tennessee the first contracts connected the Recovery Act (or stimulus) funds are going out. The Department of Energy, working through Bechtel Jacobs, is awarding subcontracts for a DOE nuclear landfill expansion. Bids on the geosynthetic lining system are still being solicited. Learn more here.;

The 2010 edition of the Techtextil North America Symposium will be held 18-20 May 2010 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia. The Symposium will have the theme "Moving Forward - Innovation and Technology drive the Future" and will run concurrent with the annual Techtextil North America exhibition. A Call for Papers and Presentations has been issued. Read more.

ScottishPower has flipped the switch--or, the turbines, one might say--on Europe's largest onshore windfarm. The 55 sq. km. site includes 140 wind turbines and can power 180,000 homes. To protect the sensitive peat layers below and allow the site to sustain the heavy traffic loads, project designers used geogrid on all roads.

The Advertising Standards Authority has upheld a challenge made by NAUE that questions whether certain claims in a brochure published by Tensar International could be substantiated. The brochure, "TriAx: A Revolution in Geogrid Technology," detailed the properties and performance advantages of Tensar TriAx geogrids. Within the information in this brochure, Tensar talks about the research that has evolved into a "revolutionary change from a rectangular to a triangular grid aperture." It goes on to say: "This was a revolution in geogrids technology with significant, new improved benefits over the biaxial geogrids." (Continued.)

The Justice Department and US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have announced that Georgia-Pacific has agreed to perform $13 million in remedial work at a Kalamazoo River Superfund site in Allegan and Kalamazoo Counties, Michigan. A geosynthetic capping system will be installed. Read more.

ASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics' Sam Allen and George Koerner remind readers that proposals are welcomed for the Geosynthetic Research Institute (GRI) / ASTM Workshop on "Geosynthetic Material Durability: Field and Laboratory Experiences," to be held 29 January 2010 in San Antonio, Texas. This important, new workshop will immediately follow the two days of D35's winter meetings. The four segments of the workshop will focus on long-term field experiences; accelerated weathering studies; polymers and additives packages; and a panel discussion. Abstracts for presentations will be accepted through 30 September 2009. Read more about the event.

TenCate™ Geosynthetics has designed a brochure focusing on high performance geotextiles for haul roads. These include Mirafi® HP-Series woven geotextiles, comprised of high tenacity polypropylene yarns. One of the primary uses of geosynthetics has been and remains the stabilization of subgrades for haul roads. Almost every construction project has a need for a geosynthetically-stabilized aggregate, from access roads to construction entrance roads, to staging areas, and to working platforms. (Continued.)

The International Erosion Control Association (IECA) has extended the window for proposals to EC10 through 29 May 2009. IECA organizes its work into 8 technology sections: slopes, stream restoration, vegetative establishment, stormwater management, wetlands, erosion and sediment control, beach and shoreline stabilization, and wind erosion. The "Hot Topics" for 2010 are LEED for new construction, sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation and design process. EC10 will be held in Dallas, Texas 14-17 February 2010. Read more at IECA's site. Learn more here.;

Barrick Gold's North Mara mine in Tanzania has encountered some leakage problems that villagers believe is the cause of some cattle and fish deaths. In a May 14 statement, the company notes that theft at the site involved vandalism and damage to key geomembrane liners. Rains have also caused increased acidic runoff from a temporary ore stockpile. Learn more here.;

The Senate will vote on a bill to allocate $37 billion for clean water across the country. The bill would earmark $20 billion for low-cost loans for water infrastructure, with another $15 billion for drinking water over five years. The federal authorization for the clean water fund has remained at the same levels since 1987, according to Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. Learn more here.;

GeoAfrica 2009 is the first African regional conference on geosynthetics. The event, to be held under the auspices of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) and hosted by the Geosynthetics Interest Group of South Africa (GIGSA), will take place 2 - 5 September 2009 in Cape Town. Organizers have just announced an extension of the early-bird registration rate to 30 June 2009. The conference is shaping up to be a grand one, with more than 100 papers over three days, a sold-out exhibit hall and plenty of networking opportunities.

With an estimated 15 million tons of additional polymerization capacity coming on line in the Middle East in the next three years, the region stands to become a major plastics processing center. Will geosynthetics be part of this boom in production? How will the Middle East's growth affect global markets? Applied Market Information (AMI) is presenting a one-day seminar to tackle this subject: "The Middle East Plastics Industry Strategy Seminar." AMI's Strategic Research Manager John Nash writes on the event, which will be offered three times (In Dubai and Brussels in June; and in Cologne in October). Read more.

In the 14 May 2009 Business Week S&P Ratings News, Thomas Nadramia writes on how the drop in construction spending was faster and steeper than anticipated; and how stimulus funds might help the industry's recovery. He notes that original stimulus estimates would be close to $300 billion for infrastructure; but that the actual impact may be closer to $130 billion. A focus on roads and water is apparent. And states like California and Texas are sure to benefit more than others. Learn more here.;

Neiker-Tecnalia, the Basque Institute for Agricultural Research and Development, in collaboration with Sergal, Uaga and the Basque Board of ecological agriculture and food (ENEEK in its Basque initials), has launched a research programme the aim of which is to combine technologies and processes in order to transform animal husbandry excretions into a substrate that is guaranteed and reliable for use in ecological agriculture. Currently, the elements required for this sector, one of the most dynamic in Basque agriculture, are difficult to find and, on many occasions, come from areas distant from the farms - precisely against the philosophy of this type of production.

Applied Market Information (AMI) has released the program for Waterproof Membranes 2009, which will be held in Duesseldorf, Germany from 19-21 October 2009. On the geotechnical side of things, the speaker list includes Chris Kelsey of geosynthetica, Vladimir Nosko of Sensor, Gottfried Niederkrattenhaler of Agru Austria, Catrin Tarnowski from GSE, Roland von Ah of Leister, Jose Miguel Munoz Gomez of Sotrafa, and Stefan Ultsch of Dow (Europe). See the full list in the program PDF. Learn more here.;

The International Erosion Control Association (IECA) is accepting abstracts for its annual conference through May 15. EC10 will be held in Dallas, Texas 14-17 February 2010. IECA organizes its work into 8 technology sections: slopes, stream restoration, vegetative establishment, stormwater management, wetlands, erosion and sediment control, beach and shoreline stabilization, and wind erosion. The "Hot Topics" for 2010 are LEED for new construction, sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation and design process. Read more at IECA's site. Learn more here.;

In Nevada, lawmakers in the state house have passed ACR 32, a bill to demand that Congress repair the canal. When the canal suffered a breach last year that led to nearly 600 homes flooded. The US Bureau of Reclamation has been unable to date to decide on a long-term repair solution. Geosynthetics are certainly a possibility. The Bureau has previously conducted a 10-year study on canal performance with geosynthetic lining and found significantly supportive data for geosynthetic adoption. Learn more here.;

In Indiana, the Union-Go Dairy, which experienced a very frustrating but fascinating animal waste lagoon failure in 2008 has received approval to expand its farm with the installation of new lagoons. Following that phase of the project, the dairy will work with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) on what to do about the failed lagoon. One of the interesting aspects to the whales that developed in Union-Go's installation is that they were concentrated on one half of the lagoon. Learn more here.;

Penton Media has sent out finalized information for the Waste Tech Landfill Technology Meeting, which will take place in June in Las Vegas. It is being held in conjunction with Waste Expo. Free registration is available to qualified participants.

Penton Media, organizers of the very successful Global Waste Management Symposium (September 2008), has sent out finalized information for the Waste Tech Landfill Technology Meeting, which will take place in June in Las Vegas. In closing the email announcement, Rita Ugianskis-Fishman, a group show director with Penton, indicated that the company was close to announcing dates for a 2010 edition of the Global Waste Management Symposium. September is a likely month. Learn more here.;

On 11 May 2009, US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) adminstrator Lisa P. Jackson's testified before the United States Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to defend the administration's $10 billion+ budget. The new budget, as proposed, includes $3.9 billion for water infrastructure.