Mining

High-strength turf reinforcement mats made from vegetative or synthetic materials (or a combination of both) are used to prevent soil erosion in drainage areas and on steep slopes. A proposed new ASTM International standard, ASTM WK38408, Specification for Turf Reinforcement Mats, will be focused on mats made only with geosynthetics (no organic materials). ASTM WK38408 is being developed by Subcommittee D35.05 on Geosynthetic Erosion Control, part of ASTM International Committee D35 on Geosynthetics.

Congratulations are in order! Just prior to EuroGeo 5 in Spain, NAUE Geosynthetics' Andreas Dürbaum competed with teammates Christoph Dieker and Inga Hormann in Portugal at the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) World Single Driving Championships. Not only did the overall German team—which was comprised of three squads—win the team gold, but Andreas and his partners won the individual gold medal. Read more.

Maccaferri, Inc. is pleased to announce the launch of their new website: www.maccaferri-usa.com. The new website offers a more contemporary look and feel, and provides users with a comprehensive overview of the solutions and products that Maccaferri offers to the civil and environmental engineering fields. Users will find the functionality and navigation to be more streamlined. New site features include: an interactive map to view case studies by location, access to LinkedIn and YouTube, and a searchable documents section for viewing and downloading brochures, design software, and a variety of other technical documents and drawings.

Ecopetrol, one of the principal petroleum companies in Latin America, has been expanding its reach deeper into the forests of Colombia. Drilling exploratory wells in remote locations such as the Putumayo basin concurs with a very aggressive growth strategy. The area around Orito is an extremely dense, undulating forest with poor soils and wet subgrades, nearly impossible to drive through without proper access. In this case study, Geo Products shows how access was made possible with the support of a cellular confinement system. Learn more here.;

Geocellular confinement systems come in a variety of cell sizes and cell depths, which are used to fulfill the specific needs of applications. Factors such as soil strength, expected applied loads, and surface type are all important to understand to properly specify the right cellular confinement product. Geo Products' EnviroGrid line is manufactured in a range of sizes, depths and strengths to meet these application and site-specific challenges. For example, for applications with concentrated loads at specific points, such as vehicle-supporting applications, smaller cell sizes are generally desired to ensure proper weight distribution. For erosion control or earth retention, larger cell sizes may be used given various factors such as slope geometry and confinement requirements. View our EnviroGrid specifications online and contact us with questions on gettingn the right product for your site. Learn more here.;

As we approach the opening of EuroGeo 5--the Fifth European Regional Conference on Geosynthetics--Germany-based HUESKER Group has announced a new organizational structure. Implemented in July in conjunction with the company's celebration of its 150th anniversary, the new strategy combines the continuance of its well-established customer support services and product lines with a drive towards innovation and high-quality, customized solutions.

Maccaferri has posted a new video with a series of images and application information from installations around the world. From geogrid used for debris control in a Swedish mining tunnel to rockfall netting/mesh in Australia; and from 20m+ high crusher walls in Africa to leachate containment in Peru--the video presents a strong range of applications and geosynthetic and affiliated-technology solutions. It's a nice overview. Learn more here.;

SynTec now offers Type 1 and Type 2 biaxial geogrids in 16ft wide rolls. The wider rolls reduce shipping costs, minimize waste lost to overlaps and reduce construction time. The new wider rolls will be standard stock for SynTec and are readily available now. SynTec biaxial geogrids are produced in the USA and offered throughout North and South America.

SynTec, LLC, manufacture of state of the art geosynthetic products, announced the release of ROADWORX® a design software for unpaved and paved roads using SynTec's biaxial polypropylene geogrids. ROADWORX® provides reliable and proven design methods to calculate layer thicknesses for paved and unpaved roads. A comprehensive cost calculator lets the user compare and identify the most economical solutions. The release of ROADWORX® is a part of SynTec’s ongoing commitment to product evolution, innovation, and support. The resulting version comes from a combination of industry guidelines and feedback from geosynthetic experts, designers and end-users of biaxial geogrids.

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.;

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.

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

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.

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.;

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.

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.;

Coffey Geotechnics' Richard Kelly and Thevaragavan Muttuvel have shared project details from the construction of the Ballina Bypass, a route which traverses a floodplain in which the soils comprise soft clays up to 25m depth. Stabilizing embankment and construction platforms over such highly compressible, low strength clays and ensuring proper erosion and sediment control in this sensitive floodplain required an extensive utilization of geosynthetics. Read about the project here.

In the latest project story from Tensar International, the company details how extensive underground mining in south Poland posed a significant challenge to construction of the A1 motorway which forms part of the connection between the Czech border, Piekary Slaskie and on to northern Poland. To accommodate potential differential settlement on the approach embankments to bridge structures, the engineering consultant consortium designed TensarTech™ soil retaining walls to support the approach embankments to a series of viaduct and bridge structures along the 16km Piekary Slaskie to Pyrzowice (Katowice Airport) section. This approach ensured that any problems caused by previous land use were mitigated and the planned opening date of June 2012 was met.

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 Geosynthetics Society's (IGS) Indian Chapter (IGS India) has moved forward on its initiative to publish the Indian Journal of Geosynthetics and Ground Improvement on a twice-yearly basis, with the first issue covering January-June and the second issue July-December. Read about the articles in and download the inaugural issue here in PDF, learn about the publication's mission, and download guidelines to help you submit material to the journal.

Download the Pro-X4 Extrusion Welder Brochure here.

Extrusion welding is an essential skill on many geosynthetic installations, including the most sensitive liner installations. Demtech Services, Inc.'s latest extrusion welder, the Pro-X4, has added a number of new features for installation crews, including an impressive extrusion output of up to 14 pounds/hour (6.2 kilos/hour). The Pro-X4's custom-built armature and windings and its "bullet-proof" gearbox have been designed to handle the demanding challenges of job sites everywhere. The proprietary temperature control and user interface software display on a large, easy-to-read LCD screen and control panel. And the Pro-X4 has electronic "cold start" protection and adjustable, ergonomic handles for right- and left-handed operation. It's also just 21 pounds...nearly 10 pounds lighter than the Pro-X extrusion welder.

Coffey Managing Director John Douglas has been listed amongst the most influential engineers in Engineers Australia's annual Top 100 publication. Mr Douglas was recognised in the Consulting category, alongside the Managing Directors from SKM, Worley Parsons, Parson's Brinkerhoff and Arup Australia. Coffey businesses include strong activity in mining, environmental and geotechnical engineering, including with geosynthetics.

The International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) has published the second 2012 issue of its IGS News. Issue 28, Volume 2 is packed with content, including the 2012 - 2016 Election Candidate Profiles & Election Schedule for the IGS Council, a profile of the IGS Council (geographical and professional composition), a "Filtration User" survey, translation of the Society's key mathematical symbols document, a GeoAmericas 2012 conference report, Dennes Bergado's retirement symposium (on climate change and geosynthetics) and much more. Read the issue here (PDF).