Soil Reinforcement

Titan Environmental Containment is has announced that it has added Corrugated Steel Pipe (CSP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe, and Bolt-A-Plate products to the company's supply arsenal. Learn more about these products and Titan at www.titanenviro.ca. Learn more here.;

rom 20-22 April 1977 the International Conference on the Use of Fabrics in Geotechnics was held in Paris, France. This watershed event included a paper from engineer Dr. J.P. Giroud in which he coined two terms that have become central to the field of geosynthetics: "geotextile" and "geomembrane." The Paris gathering introduced many new users to the fast-developing field of geosynthetics and, perhaps even more importantly, connected many companies, universities, and individual engineers who had already been furthering understanding of the materials—current and needed characteristics, manufacturing potential, applications for adoption, design methodologies, etc.

The Second Pan-American Conference on Geosynthetics, GeoAmericas 2012, is set to take place 1–4 May 2012 at the Westin Lima Hotel & Convention Center in Lima, Peru. While we have looked mostly at the technical program here on Geosynthetica, we want to take a moment to recognize the extraordinary support of so many companies by way of sponsorships of various portions of the event and through participation in the commercial exhibition. See who will be there (including 50+ exhibitors).

The International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) has published its first issue of IGS News for 2012. Issue 28.1 includes a lead editorial from IGS President Jorge Zornberg on IGS's student and young member initiatives, a call for IGS Council member candidates, reports from key technical committees (Soil Reinforcement, Barrier Systems, Filtration), late 2011 event reports, news of international chapter activities, corporate member news, and much more. Read the issue here (PDF).

NAUE's geosynthetics are on full display in the latest issue of GEONEWS, published by Global Synthetics out of Australia. The April 2012 issue includes stories on the utilization of a geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) cap for the closure of a landfill, tunnel works in Brisbane, prefabricated drainage modules, biplanar drainage products in remediation applications, a new information series on GCLs, and more. Read the latest issue here (PDF).

A new video from Strata Systems demonstrates how geocell is used to reinforce an unpaved highway shoulder for the Florida Department of Transportation (DOT). The installation was completed by CW Roberts Construction on US 331 on the Florida panhandle where soft soils were causing the roadside shoulder to become unstable at a bridge approach. The 8.5-ft. roadside shoulder was first excavated 6 in., then the subgrade was compacted with a heavy-duty vibration compaction roller. A 6 oz/yd2 nonwoven geotextile was laid next, followed by StrataWeb 30, a medium weight geocell with a 4-in. depth. The honeycomb shape of the geocell is one of the strongest structural shapes proven to solve difficult civil engineering problems associated with load support on soft soils. Lastly, #57 stone was spread over the geocell and compacted inside the cells with 2 inches of overfill. By using geocell and stone fill, the Florida DOT provided a safe, load bearing shoulder, without the expense of paving. WATCH THE VIDEO here.

The explosion in Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) structures designed and installed in the last 20 years has revolutionized the grade separation solutions used in site development construction. Accompanying this dramatic growth (or because of it) there has been an increasing frequency of MSE structure failure (excessive deformation and collapse) despite the fact that we know properly engineered and constructed MSE structures are capable of achieving what we are designing them to do. A new MSE Inspector Training and Optional Certification Exam will be held May 22 at TRI Environmental's Denver Downs Research Facility in Anderson, South Carolina. Read more in this preview.

The 2013 Geo-Congress from ASCE's Geo-Institute be held 3-7 March 2013 in San Diego, California. The broad theme of the 2013 Geo-Congress has been announced as the "Stability and Performance of Slopes and Embankments," a theme that encompasses all aspects of the geo-profession--and one that certainly utilizes geosynthetics. Learn more about the conference and submit your abstract by 17 April 2012. Learn more here.;

The new Tensar International YouTube page offers several videos with case histories and product demonstrations, showcasing the unique ground stabilisation, asphalt reinforcement and soil reinforcement benefits of Tensar geogrid technology. Learn more.

terrafix® Biaxial Geogrids provide a simple, cost effective solution for soil reinforcement and improvement of roadways, highways and other heavily trafficked areas. Even when conditions are less than perfect, including weak subgrades, contaminated soils, heavy loads, high granular costs and shallow-buried utilities, an engineered solution is possible. Learn more. Learn more here.;

Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (ADS), the world's largest producer of corrugated high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe, announced today the addition of eleven Geogrid reinforcement products—six biaxial and five uniaxial, each available in different strengths and load bearing properties to meet the needs of a specific project. The grids are being produced by Syntec Corporation. Learn more.

Last Friday, HUESKER Synthetic GmbH welcomed guests to the official opening of its new office space. The new structure preserves the existing historical facade of the company's main office while the interior has been modernized. This reflects the company's story well, as HUESKER is celebrating its 150+ years of operation while continuing to innovate and develop new materials to meet the needs of the changing construction, engineering and sustainability landscapes. Wolfgang Huesker, the international company's Manageing Director, was on hand for the opening.

In an interview with Calcutta's Telegraph newspaper, A.B. Joshi, a commissioner from the Ministry of Textiles, is quoted as saying "We are going all out for promotion of geotextiles in the Northeast in a big way. Geotextiles [have] been accepted worldwide for enhancing the quality and longevity of roads, but [their] use in India has been minimal." This follows the presentation of the 2012-2013 budget. Included in the Twelfth Plan is a Rs 500 crore (USD $100 million) pilot scheme for the promotion and application of geotextiles in the Northeast. Weaving centers have been planned.

In the latest "View from…" story, TenCate Geosynthetics shares a piece of its Bodegraven, the Netherlands railway track renovation. Utilizing TenCate Polyfelt geotextile separation material, the rail operators deployed the largest work train in Europe to make the project happen. The result is a structural, environment-friendly solution.

When the levee system that protects the NOLA region's shores began to be constructed roughly 80 years ago, they halted a natural process of silting that protected some of the coastal ecosystem. Today, with rising ocean levels, the shoreline lacks the natural protection it once had when silt was allowed to build up. A new 50-year, $50 billion master plan in Louisiana proposes to cut into or remove some levees--which are currently being built higher--and allow silt build up and some flooding. This massive restoration plan will dramatically impact some communities, actually removing their protection from floods. Read more in an engaging article from the Los Angeles Times. Learn more here.;

GSE Lining Technology, LLC, GSE -0.42% the leading global manufacturer and provider of geosynthetic lining products and services, announced today the launch of its rebranded identity as GSE Environmental. Following its recent listing to the New York Stock Exchange on Feb. 10, this rebrand reflects the company's transition from a multi-regional company to a truly global organization.

From January 2012, Joe Cavanaugh has been appointed Vice President and General Manager for Europe Africa and the Middle East and will relocate from the US to Tensar's UK offices in Blackburn. Joe has many years of experience with Tensar International, most recently as Vice President of Global Technology. A position he has held since 2009.

When it comes to rural road design, Gordon Keller has seen firsthand quite a bit of what the world has to offer. Since 1972, Keller has worked for the US Forest Service and worked in partnership with numerous international organizations, such as the World Bank, the Pan-American Highway Institute, and the International Road Federation (IRF) to promote best practices in design, maintenance, environmental analysis, and more. He'll next lead a workshop on Low Volume Roads (LVR) in Orlando, Florida for IRF 11-13 April 2012. He discusses the workshop and issues such as changing agricultural practices on rural roads in an interview with Geosynthetica.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced that twelve cities and states will share $16.9 million to relocate, replace, and improve segments of railroad track under the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)'s Rail Line Relocation and Improvement competitive grant program.

Since 1977, the time of the first geosynthetics conference in Paris, geosynthetics have emerged as exciting engineering materials in a wide array of civil engineering applications, e.g., transportation, geotechnical, geoenvironmental, hydraulics, and private development. To provide a deeper understanding of this subject matter, author Robert M. Koerner presents Designing with Geosynthetics - 6th Edition, which contains two volumes, released through Xlibris.

TenCate Geosynthetics introduces TenCate MiraSlope® design solutions software for Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) applications. This easy to use software program of TenCate will assist engineers in determining the reinforcement requirements for reinforced soil slopes and walls.

NOTE: This is an abbreviated version of the full Ten Cate press release. We have included the introductory notes and the primary details on the Geosynthetics & Grass division's performance. A link to the full release in PDF is also provided.

China plans to build the world’s largest cargo airport near Beijing in a $4.8 billion project due for completion in late 2017. The new airport, which has not yet been named, will have an annual capacity of more than 130 million passengers and 5 million metric tons of cargo. Construction of the 9 runways at a 6,600-acre site at Daxing, 30 miles south of Beijing, will begin this year. Beijing International Airport, the capital’s major air cargo hub, handled 1.7 million tons of cargo last year, up 10.7 percent year-over-year, according to preliminary figures from Airports Council International. The airport is the second largest by volume in China after Shanghai’s Pudong International Airport. Learn more here.;

A new ASTM International test method that provides standardization for a long-used test will aid in the use and evolution of geotextile bag technology. The new standard, ASTM D7701, Test Method for Determining the Flow Rate of Water and Suspended Soils from a Geotextile Bag, was developed by Subcommittee D35.03 on Permeability and Filtration, part of ASTM International Committee D35 on Geosynthetics. ASTM D7701 is based on a test that has been used extensively in the last 20 years, but which has not been standardized until now.

Gorantla Geosynthetics Private Limited (Chennai) has launched a new website, www.geomembranes-geotextiles.com. The company is a major manufacturer and supplier of geosynthetic products in India. The new website aims to be more comprehensive and user-friendly, offering a host of detailed product information, contact information, and presentations.