Soil Reinforcement

A necessary bridge reconstruction project near Cincinnati is reducing cost by including geosynthetic reinforcement in the abutment plan. While the article author is incorrect to call the reinforcement scheme a "new" technology, the project is yet another example of the need to update our infrastructure with modern materials. Learn more here.;

The global spread of the COVID-19 virus has caused events around the world to be rescheduled. The organizers of GeoU, which co-locates multiple geosynthetics short courses, are following suit....

NAUE GmbH and Co. KG, international manufacturers of high-quality geosynthetics such as Secugrid® geogrids and Bentofix® geosynthetic clay liners, invites engineers, contractors, regulators and other professionals involved with geosynthetics to take a break--and take on NAUE's Gridator. Introducing: GoalGrid. GoalGrid is a free game available online (www.naue.com), and it comes just in time for the world's biggest single sport event: the FIFA football World Cup 2010 in South Africa. Learn more and play.

SKZ's 2nd International Conference on Geosynthetics Middle East will be held in Dubai, UAE, 10-11 November 2009. The speaker and topic line up has been announced and it is certainly an impressive list. Ian Peggs of I-CORP will present on predicting end-of-life for high-density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembranes and the incorporation of flexible solar cells on exposed landfill caps; Carl De Leon of Solmax will present on geomembrane liners in harsh, petrochemical containment operations; Detlef Schramm of Dow will present a geomembrane global review; Silke Schwöbken of SENSOR will present on drainage detection systems; and much more. Dr. Helmut Zanzinger will chair the seminar. Download the program in PDF.

The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) has invested tens of thousands of dollars in its engineering research over the years, both in-house and with its GSI Fellowships program. The latter endeavor...

The Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) will host a Federal Highways Adminstration (FHWA) - National Highways Institute (NHI) workshop 13 November 2008 in Atlanta at a Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) facility. The workshop has been developed for federal, state and local transportation personnel involved in bridge, hydraulic, pavement, geotechnical, and construction work. The course qualifies for 0.6 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Learn more here.;

geosynthetica posts its first CEN Standards Watch: a breakdown of the standards currently under development or up for approval with Europe-based CEN's Technical Committee 189 (CEN/TC 189), which focuses on geosynthetics. Other important groups will be monitored as we move forth in this tracking of international standards formation. Read the first update here.

This instructional webinar will provide attendees with knowledge on the use of geotextile containers and polymeric marine mattresses for island breakwater creation. On-site project experience from the City of Ft. Pierce Marina in Florida will be shared. This project features a permanent wave barrier, configured as a carefully sculpted, but naturally appearing, artificial island breakwater. This solution was proposed to protect the marina from a 100-year storm event, as mandated by FEMA regulations. 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.;

Bob Koerner reports on the ASCE/PennDOT Conference in Hershey, Pennsylvania, the ESD Waste Conference in Lansing, Michigan. He then visits Tenax in Baltimore regarding geonets, followed by a trip to lecture at Tensar, and a visit with SKAPS. GCLs, White Paper #5, and the currently reviewed GCL Specification are also touched upon.

In March 2014, I published “A Brief History of Geotextiles” in Land and Water Magazine. (A copy of that article may be downloaded in PDF here.) It would take...

A late 2019 blind survey from CentralSquare of more than 5,000 participants found that Americans are overwhelmingly supportive of infrastructure improvements. In fact, 2/3 of respondents cited that infrastructure...

Geosynthetics 2009 is the largest geosynthetics industry event in North America. This biennial event will explore important issues affecting water resources, mining, infrastructure development and regulatory communities in the American, Canadian and Mexican markets. Organizers have announced an extention to the early registration rate to 30 January 2009. Register now to secure the best rates. The event will take place 25-27 February 2009 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Learn more here.;

When filmmaker Hugh Hunt began production on the documentary "Dambusters: Building the Bouncing Bomb," he sought a dramatic form of authenticity to understanding the 1943 RAF attack on dams in Germany's military industry-heavy Ruhr Valley. The raid utilized the unique "bouncing bomb," most of the technical aspects of which were lost in a 1960s flood. Hunt sought a construction site with water access on which he could construct a concrete dam--one he could subsequently blow up in a simulated attack. The dam was constructed of concrete lock block on an excavated site in Mackenzie, British Columbia with the help of BC Hyrdo. A geotextile backing on the dam helped stabilized the quick construction. Learn more here.;

Geneva-based Swiss Investment Fund for Emerging Markets (SIFEM) agreed to participate in a $100 million fund to buy distressed small and medium-sized assets in Egypt, the fund's sponsors said on Thursday. Projects in the fund's pipeline include "geotextiles, automotive assembly, cosmetics, logistics, food processing, specialty glass and pharmaceuticals," Egypt's Citadel Capital said. Learn more here.;

The cover story for the June 2011 issue of Arab Construction World comes from Geosynthetica's Chris Kelsey. "Greener Infrastructures with Geosynthetics" looks at gas barrier improvements with EVOH layer incorporation and growth and opportunities in the region. Companies of note in the article include Leister Process Technologies, Kuraray, Raven Industries, I-CORP International, Sika, Mattex and BMC. Download the issue in PDF here.

The International Erosion Control Association (IECA Region One) will hold Environmental Connection 2017 at the Cobb Galleria Centre in Atlanta 21 – 24 February 2017. The annual Environmental Connection...

Raven Engineered Films has issued a new technical paper: Advanced Geomembrane Technology for Enhanced Protection of EPS Geofoam in Transportation Systems. The publication is part of the company’s technical...

Word is starting to get out about GeoAfrica 2009. The event will be held in Cape Town, South Africa 2-4 September 2009. This will be the first conference to be held under the auspices of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) in the region. The first call has been issued. Updates are forthcoming. Keep an eye on geosynthetica.net and the IGS' South African chapter website for more. Learn more here.;

Huesker Fortrac® geogrids were used to enable the construction of a bridge and state highway construction in Bavaria as part 2012-2013 highway works. The site video (in German with English...

Strong companies are often characterized by stability among key staff. Following its history of internal team development and promotion, TenCate Geosynthetics has announced the promotions of Beth Wilbanks...

The geogrid-supported road redesign project in Ann Arbor, Michigan that was reported here a couple months ago has been completed. The $3.7 million, 1.3-mile-long Huron River Drive project adopted geogrid reinforcement so that the base could be shallower. This minimized slope disturbance during construction along the scenic route. Learn more here.;

As shown by results of 2009, SIBUR enterprises have produced 15 million tons of petrochemical products that is 3% higher than in 2008. The highest growth is seen in segment of raw materials as well as manufacture of polymers and mineral fertilizers. Reduced production of rubbers and tyres was caused by sharp decline in demand by automotive industry. Monomers fell down due to temporary shutdown of rubber output and shutoff of isoprene production by Novokuibyshevskaya Petrochemical Company.

Congratulations are due to David E. Daniel, Ph.D., P.E., Dist.M.ASCE, NAE, University of Texas at Dallas. Prof. Daniel has been recognized by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) OPAL Awards for his excellence in advancing civil engineering education. Established in 1999, these prestigious awards recognize and honor outstanding civil engineering leaders whose lifetime accomplishments and achievements have made significant differences in one of five categories. Prof. Daniel has long been associated with geosynthetic research and education. The awards will be presented in a special ceremony on 25 March 2010 at the Renaissance Hotel Washington.

The organizers of GeoHalifax 2009 (20 - 24 September 2009) have released the conference's latest e-newsletter. (Interested readers can subscribe to the feed via the conference website.) Some of the highlights: registration will continue through the conference; the exhibit hall is sold out; and more than 400 abstracts were submitted. Presenters can use the online submission system for PowerPoint files. GeoHalifax 2009 is hosted by the Canadian Geotechnical Society (CGS) and the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH). Learn more here.;