Soil Reinforcement

Checkmate Geosynthetics Ltd., a global manufacturer and supplier of geosynthetic soil reinforcement and stabilization solutions, has announced the appointment of Jim Penman as the company's Vice President of Sales USA. In his new role, Atlanta-based Penman will be responsible for Checkmate's full-range of geosynthetic system products within the US market. Penman is a 17-year veteran of the geosynthetics field and serves as a geosynthetics expert for the American Railroad Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA).

With many municipalities and nonprofit organizations busy repairing and rebuilding after this year's flooding, federal and state officials offer reminders that additional funding for projects that can prevent future flood damage may be available. The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) is one such program. The Vermont office has issued a note about the program's work, including how geosynthetics have been used in mitigation projects. They've found that every dollar spent on mitigation can save four dollars in future repair costs.

Steve Warner, the long-time president of the Roseville, Minnesota-based Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI), and the IFAI Board of Directors have announced that he is stepping down. Among its many activities, IFAI organizes conferences and seminars, including a number of geosynthetics-related conferences. The association also publishes Geosynthetics magazine. Warner has been with IFAI for 35 years and has served as its president for a quarter century.

"We foresee the role of German technology as crucial for the development of the technical textile sector in India." With these words Mrs. Rita Menon, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles in India opened a two days Conference on German Technology for Indian Technical Textiles which was jointly organised by FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry) and the VDMA Textile Machinery Association. Read about these events.

The Erosion Control Technology Council has announced the results of its recent election, which determined the 2015 – 2016 term ECTC Board of Directors. Diane Hitt (East Coast Erosion...

Earlier this year, Dr. Gary Fowmes received a £125,000 (USD $190,000) grant to continue research into the use of 3D printing in the design and performance of geosynthetic materials....

In addition to the launch of a new website, Terram has released a series of new technical design guides covering the core products of geotextiles, geocomposites and geocells as well as an introduction to Terram. These documents provide specifiers with information on which applications the products can be used along with useful design details. Learn more at the new Terram website. Learn more here.;

geosynthetica's Tech Note series publishes concise questions and observations from the practice. The latest, "Are you testing the reinforcement or the polymer?" comes from frequent contributor Ian Peggs of I-CORP INTERNATIONAL. His question is important, for the durability and degradation of the polymer is just as important to a material's service life suitability as its reinforcement component.

The United Kingdom-based Contract Journal has published a piece on one of the most intriguing development schemes: the construction of an entirely new, tech-centric town. Ebbsfleet Valley in North Kent will be connected to London and Paris by high-speed rail and include its own "mini-Seine." The US $5 billion project will include some interesting engineering challenges to its water features, much of which will call upon geogrid reinforcement. Learn more here.;

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.

Plastics Today has published its polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) spot price report. They found PE up $0.04/lb last week, a trend "driven by soaring monomer costs and pointing to higher contract resin prices in February." Ethylene shortages have played a role. Similarly, PP spot prices were up $0.02/lb last week. The rise in monomers shows "no abatement" at this point, especially since PP manufacturers have successfully passed along some recent cost increases. Learn more here.;

Geomembrane and fabrication specialist firm BTL has issued its annual letter regarding holiday closure dates. The company and its staff will close for a holiday mid-day on December 23 and will reopen on January 5. Read general manager Ron MacKenzie's letter here.

12 May 2014 - Royal Ten Cate - Following the dividend announcement relating to the dividend for the 2013 financial year of 17 April 2014, Royal Ten Catehereby announces that the...

The International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) is holding its first-ever photo competition. Members should keep an eye on the deadline date: 1 February 2010. This initiative comes just ahead of the planned April 2010 launch of the redesigned IGS website and May 2010's major, quadrennial IGS conference: 9ICG. The 9th International Conference on Geosynthetics will be held 23-27 May 2010 in Guaruja, Brazil (near São Paulo).

Prajwol Tamrakar, Mark H. Wayne, and David J. White present field tests and results with Automated Plate Load Testing (APLT) to determine the permanent and resilient deformation behavior of...

In his latest column, Textile World executive editor Jürg Rupp writes about the shift in high-end global manufacturing to developing countries, the needs and stresses placed upon the world as population swells, and opportunities this presents for technical textiles production. Geotextiles and geosynthetics, for example, will be necessary for the creation of more sustainable infrastructures. Learn more here.;

The first Global Waste Management Symposium (GWMS) is nearly upon us. The event will take place 7-10 September 2008 in Copper Mountain, Colorado. The event organizers have announced their final schedule. For those attending, be sure to reserve lodging soon. Rooms have filled quickly for this event. Read more about the schedule in the release.

By Chaido (Yuli) Doulala-Rigby and Martin Black - For a new major road construction (the Tinsley Link) in the North of England, a bridge approach embankment needed to be...

IRF once more broke ground by gathering over 600 regional transportation officials for the world's first comprehensive review of sustainable transportation solutions in the context of the Andean Region. Lima, Peru, an important regional crossroads for trade and a hub for engineering know-how offered an ideal backdrop for the Congress.

The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) has announced the winners of the 2008-2009 GSI Fellowship Awards. Each fellowship carries a $10,000, renewable stipend. A list of the students and topics--and contact information for the next fellowship call--is available here.

The Kozcağız Dam project is one of the biggest water-related investments by DSI in Turkey’s Bartin province. The dam provides water to a total of 6088 acres (2460 hectares)...

The Fire and Emergency Services Department for Clayton County, Ga. has concluded its investigation into the fire that destroyed plastic products stockpiled in the external storage yard of the Tensar Plant in Morrow, Ga. They have concluded that the fire started accidentally as a result of sparks or heat generated when the plastic material or the metal basket in which it was being moved by a fork lift in the yard, came into contact with the concrete pavement.

Ian Peggs writes on the four criteria of performing a successful geoelectric integrity survey on a double-liner system, and ways in which designs may hinder or prevent a proper leak location survey.

With full White House support, America should be running high-speed railroads by the end of the decade, writes John Rosenthal. Such trains "consume less fuel, produce less carbon dioxide, and promote urban redevelopment, which has broader environmental benefits," said Kevin Brubaker, deputy director of the Environmental Law and Policy Center in Chicago. However, Joseph Szabo, head of the Federal Railroad Administration, reminds us: "This is a 40-year build-out, just like the Interstate Highway System was in the 1950s." Learn more here.;

After forming two new sales groups—Geotextile Sales and Erosion Control & Specialty Solutions—Propex GeoSolutions continues to reinvigorate its business. The company has announced a more ambitious face-to-face presence at...