Soil Reinforcement

Writing for NJ Biz, Shankar P. analyzes the role lobbyists are playing in influencing the spending of federal stimulus funds. Shankar's article includes mention of Advanced Drainage Systems (ADS) and the company's manufacturing facility in New Jersey. Learn more here.;

Like most segments of our global economies, professional associations and societies have suffered during the current downturn. Civil engineering and affiliated professional associations have certainly not been spared. But the work they do is important to our collective work. We encourage you to take a moment to check on the status of your memberships and to renew them if you find they've lapsed. (Continued.)

The Institute of Engineers (India) is co-organizing a one-day national workshop on 29 May 2009 for "New Technology and Prospects of Its Commercialisation for Rural Development." Among the many technologies to be discussed: geotextiles for infrastructure. The Indian market must grow quickly to meet the needs of the nation's large population and rapidly expanding economy. Geosynthetics and affiliated technologies are currently underutilized in the overall infrastructure. Learn more here.;

Plastics Information Direct (PID) is a division of Applied Market Information (AMI) LLC. Three interesting titles are now available: "Industry Guide to Polymer Nanocomposites"; "Energy Management in Plastic Processing: Strategies, Targets, Techniques and Tools"; and "Cost Management in Plastic Processing (2007)." Learn more about these books.

The chair of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) Thailand Chapter, Dennes Bergado, has issued a call for abstracts for December's International Symposium on "Geotechnical Engineering, Ground Improvement, and Geosynthetics for Sustainable Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change including Global Warming. The event will be held 3-4 December 2009 in Bangkok, Thailand. A draft copy of the brochure is available here in PDF. The conference welcomes your abstracts and any interested speaker suggestions.

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.

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.)

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.;

On 15 April 2009, US EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson announced $600 million in new funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for the cleanup of hazardous waste (Superfund) sites across the nation. In most cases, this recovery act funding will accelerate the hazardous waste cleanup already underway at the sites and fund new clean-up projects. It will also jumpstart the local economy by creating jobs in the site areas. (Continued.)

The coastal town of Kaikoura is located on New Zeland’s South Island in the North Canterbury region. It is a popular tourist destination and renowned for its scenic views,...

The Indian geosynthetics manufacturing industry has grown substantially in recent years, both for domestic projects and exports. Strata, which is well-known internationally for its reinforcement and load support geosynthetics,...

The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) continues to push geosynthetics education and professional development in forward-thinking ways. In 2012, GSI Director Emeritus Dr. Robert Koerner acquired full publishing rights to his seminal...

The mining industry uses an enormous amount of geosynthetic materials to provide safer, stronger, more cost-effective yields. The mine engineering presentations at GeoAmericas 2016 provide a high-quality, comprehensive view...

When the City of Barrie (Ontario) landfill reached capacity, an extensive program was enacted to recycle material from the old cells. Non-recyclable material was then reburied with the additional...

The mining industry uses an enormous amount of geosynthetic materials to provide safer, stronger, more cost-effective yields. The mine engineering presentations at GeoAmericas 2016 provide a high-quality, comprehensive view...

CQA Solutions (CQAS) has built a strong reputation in the geosynthetics field for its approach to quality assurance on geosynthetic installations. This has included pioneering work on the “zero...

A catastrophic tailings dam failure at an iron-ore mine in Brazil has led to multiple fatalities and injuries, according to multiple news outlets. Some agencies have reported as high...

Geosynthetic barriers are engineered to provide exceptional containment of liquids. The range of products and systems is wide and they cannot all be applied in the same way. HUESKER’s...

The 6th European Conference on Geosynthetics (EuroGeo 6) will be held 25 – 28 September 2016 in Istanbul, Turkey. The event organizers have just issued the Call for Abstracts....

North Carolina-based HUESKER inc. seeks an experienced Sales Division Manager. The position will be responsible for managing and overseeing the company’s sales in the growing Agriculture Business Unit. The...