Soil Reinforcement

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.;

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

3M introduces 3M™ Geotextile Seaming Cylinder Spray Adhesive, a new method for seaming geotextile fabrics for uses including, but not limited to, erosion control, soil separation and subgrade stabilization applications. The adhesive is an extremely versatile, fast-tacking construction-grade spray adhesive with a unique wide-web spray pattern, ideal for bonding geotextile fabrics. With this innovative solution, installers of geotextile fabric can see time-savings of more than 56 percent compared to sewing.

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.

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.

GRS bridge abutments have been typically produced savings of more than 25% versus traditional designs and are much faster to construct. Here in Part 1 of 2, Gordon Keller discusses the development and benefits of the GRS bridge abutment approach. In Part 2, he focuses on case studies.

Here in Part 2 of 2, Gordon Keller looks at multiple case studies of GRS designs. In Part 1, he focused on design and benefits. GRS bridge abutments have been typically produced savings of more than 25% versus traditional designs and are much faster to construct.

Tensar International has announced that its high-density polyethylene (HDPE) Uniaxial (UX) Geogrid product line successfully completed the National Transportation Product Evaluation Program (NTPEP) on-site audit. As the on-site audit was added just last year to the program, Tensar's UX Geogrids are the first HDPE geogrids to pass the rigorous evaluation. Learn more.

University of Kansas School of Engineering Ph.D. student Ryan Corey, one the Geosynthetic Institute's fellowship recipients, is conducting research regarding geosynthetic reinforcement over buried pipelines. Improving the safety of pipelines is a significant infrastructure need. More than 350 deaths, 1500 injuries, and $5 billion+ in property damage has been linked to pipeline problems in the past 20 years. Professor Jie Han is the advisor for Corey's work. Learn more here.;

Access to or from construction sites often involves crossing over very weak or variable ground conditions. Thus, before work can begin on site, engineers are often first challenged with the problem of how they actually get to site. With a couple notes from recent wind farm contructions, Nigel Wrigley of NewGrids Ltd. writes on how geosynthetic reinforcement solutions provide the answer.

The International Road Federation's (IRF) annual "Preserving Our Highway Infrastructure Assets" seminar is an international event that brings engineering and construction leaders and key government stakeholders together. Experts from all levels of government and private industry, engineers, contractors, equipment manufacturers and others gather to discuss cutting-edge technologies, design and maintenance strategies, case studies, and more regarding how transportation infrastructures can be strengthened. The event will be held at the Miami Beach Holiday Inn in Miami, Florida, 11–13 September 2012.

Strata is proud to be part of Glen Raven, a company that counts environmental stewardship among its six core values. Whether through recycling or reducing energy consumption, or modifying the materials utilized in its products, Glen Raven is committed to limiting its carbon footprint, and protecting the environment at every level. Three of Glen Raven's North American plants have been certified "landfill-free", recycling or reusing everything from polyester and nylon fibers to packaging and waste products. Even food scraps from the company cafeterias feed local farm animals and wildlife. By the end of 2012, all six of the company's North American plants will be landfill-free. Read more.

Tensar Corporation has announced the sale of its Tensar Polytechnologies Inc. (TPI) assets and business to Conwed Plastics, LLC for an undisclosed amount. TPI manufactures and distributes Light Weight Oriented Net (LWON), which is used in the manufacturing of erosion control blankets, carpet padding and numerous other industrial products. "This sale will enable Tensar to focus our U.S. production capacity on our more strategic and rapidly growing geogrid business," stated Don Meltzer, President and CEO of Tensar.

The Geosynthetic Institute is delighted to announce the recipients of the 2012–2013 academic year GSI Fellowship Awards. In order to be eligible, students must: focus on a geosynthetic topic; have passed his/her candidacy examination leading to a doctorial degree; and be recommended by his/her major advisor. The GSI Board of Directors made the selections from a number of proposals from universities around the world. Announcements for the sixth year of the program will appear this winter, as well as being announced on the institute's website at www.geosynthetic-institute.org. Read more.

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.;

The Transportation Research Board has published Rockfall Characterization and Control, an 18-chapter book developed over five years by a TRB task force. Numerous field experts have contributed to this volume, which has been edited by A. Keith Turner and Robert L. Schuster. Primary sections of the book focus on hazard recognition, analysis and investigation, mitigation and maintenance. It's an important addition to profession. Download the brochure here

ASTM International has announced the launch of two new peer-reviewed, online-only journals: Advances in Civil Engineering Materials (ACEM) and Materials Performance and Characterization (MPC). ACEM publishes high-quality articles on the properties and performance of materials such as concrete, asphalt, steel, polymers and polymeric composites, and wood for use in pavements, bridges and buildings, and other related applications. MPC seeks articles about both the theoretical and practical aspects of the structure, processing, properties and performance of materials used in mechanical, transportation, aerospace, energy systems and medical devices. Read more.

SKZ's Geosynthetics Middle East conference series continues with this year's event scheduled to take place in 19–20 November 2012 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi has been announced as the venue, and once again the conference will be held under the patronage of the Municipality of Abu Dhabi City. The international speakers, forward-looking issues, and strong UAE support have helped establish this event quickly as the leading event on geosynthetics in the Middle East. The call for papers has now been issued. Abstracts are invited through 20 August 2012. Read about the THEMES 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.

The Geosynthetics Interest Group of South Africa (GIGSA), a chapter of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS), has released its July 2012 e-newsletter. GIGSA's newsletters are always full of useful content for and from the field, and this newsletter is no exception. In it, we learn of Gundle Geosynthetics' expansion in the marketplace, a note on the new GIGSA website, geotextile growth in China, three short course offerings on filtration and drainage in November, a case study on the N6 rehab, and much more. Read it today in PDF.

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.

The Geosynthetic Institute's Dr. Robert Koerner (Director Emiritus) and Jaime Koerner (Special Projects Manager) have issued the Geosynthetic Research Institute's (GRI) White Paper #23, "U.S. State Environmental Agency Status with Respect To Reviewing and Permitting Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) Landfill Berms." They write in the open that "Many state departments across the country are being asked to approve permits for the construction of large mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) berms usually located at the perimeter of a specific solid waste landfill." Their survey yielded responses from 30 state agencies, giving this white paper significant feedback on the current state-of-practice in terms of regulatory acceptance, preparedness, concerns, and more. Download a copy here (PDF).