Soil Reinforcement

More than 1920 participants attended Geo-Frontiers 2011 in Dallas, a conference featuring advances in geotechnical engineering, among other highlights. The event was co-organized by the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI), the Geosynthetics Materials Association (GMA), the Geo-Institute (G-I) of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and the North American Geosynthetics Society (NAGS), and held under the auspices of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS).

The Second Pan-American Geosynthetics Conference and Exhibition (GeoAmericas 2012) will provide a forum for geosynthetics engineers, practitioners and academe to explore current and potential applications for geosynthetics, while offering an active marketplace for the promotion of geosynthetic products and technology to users throughout the Americas.The event will be held 1-4 May 2012. Abstracts are currently being sought. Due date for abstract submission: 31 May 2011. Learn more.

Geosynthetica.net has moved its physical office and now has a new phone number. The new address and phone contact information are as follows: Geosynthetica.net, 1934 Commerce Lane Ste. 4, Jupiter, FL 33458, USA; phone +1 561 768 9487. The central geosynthetica.net emails and personnel remain the same: Elizabeth Peggs, Managing Director: Elizabeth@geosynthetica.net; Chris Kelsey, Editor/Writer: chris@geosynthetica.net; and David Cabrera, Web Developer: david@geosynthetica.net.

At the Geosynthetics Materials Association's (GMA) meeting at the Geo-Frontiers event in Dallas, it was announced that Boyd Ramsey will be the next GMA Executive Council Chairman. He follows John Henderson, who has served the association very well. In recent years, GMA has been particularly active in raising awareness of the many vital roles geosynthetics play in civil infrastructure, and especially how they can be utilized to improve the economics and long-range performance in various sectors such as transportation and environmental protection (e.g., coal ash containment). Mr. Ramsey is an industry veteran who has long given his time to these industry-supportive initiatives, education development, and, as we at Geosynthetica are well-aware and appreciative of, communication--including with media sources. Mr. Henderson has been an excellent Chairman, and we feel certain that Mr. Ramsey will be too. Learn more about GMA on its website. Learn more here.;

During the Geo-Frontiers 2011 event, the Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) held not only its 24th Geosythetic Research Institute event (GRI-24) but the institute's general assembly. This week, Jamie Koerner, GSI's Special Projects lead, has released details on the GSI Board of Directors 2011-2013. See the list here.

The Geo-Institute's 2012 annual congress will focus on the "State of the Art and Practice in Geotechnical Engineering." The event will be held 25-29 March 2012 in Oakland, California and will feature numerous state-of-the-art and state-of-the-practice presentations. Among the many topics to be explored is geosynthetics. This conference represents a unique opportunity for geotechnical engineers from around the globe to advance their professional career and goals and uncover the latest and most beneficial knowledge and technologies. A call for abstracts is expected shortly. Learn more in the first flyer (PDF). Learn more here.;

From 10-14 December 2012, the next Geosynthetics Asia will be held. Organized by IGS Thailand and the Asian Center for Soil Improvement and Geosynthetics (ACSIG), and held under the auspices of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS), the event's theme will be "Geosynthetics for Sustainable Adaptation to Climate Change." Abstracts are due by 31 May 2011. Download the call in PDF. Learn more here.;

Along the Dishforth to Leeming section of the North Yorkshire A1 upgrade, new carriageways are being built adjacent to the in-use existing highway. By using a Tensartech TR2 Wall solution to create a temporary structure while raising a below grade section, the Carillion/ Morgan Sindall joint venture contractors are saving extensive time and helping to minimise traffic disruption. Read about the project.

Following the press release of 15 November 2010, Ten Cate Geosynthetics Asia announces the successful closing of the acquisition of the geosynthetics activities of Emas Kiara Industries Berhad, a publicly listed company based in Rawang, Malaysia. The completion of this transaction provides TenCate Geosynthetics with a significantly larger position in the supply of geosynthetics solutions to the Southeast Asian markets.

Much has been promoted in the past few years regarding the use of geosynthetic reinforced soil system apporach to bridge abutment designs. In series of notes on future projects issued by the US Secretary of Transportation, it was announced that the Puerto Rico Highways and Transportation Authority will use $95,000 to replace Bridge No. 1828 on PR 140 in Barceloneta using geosynthetic reinforced soil system technology to minimize traffic disruption, cut construction time and reduce cost by 20-30%. It's part of the Highways for Life program. Learn more here.;

Industry veteran Stephen N. Valero is now serving as president of a new company: Retaining Wall Evaluation. He writes, "Over the last 30 years, retaining wall failures and performance issues have caused billions of dollars in damages, legal costs and lost revenue. Many of these losses could have been avoided had a managed earth retention program been implemented or even simple inspection and maintenance procedures been followed." Read more.

Global construction output will grow to US$ 12 trillion by 2020, a +70% increase on this year's figure of US$ 7.2 trillion, according to a new report by Global Construction Perspectives and Oxford Economics. The report, Global Construction 2020, goes on to say that half of the US$ 4.8 trillion increase will come from China, India and the US. Learn more here.;

In only a few days, the first International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) members will arrive in Dallas, Texas for the Geo-Frontiers 2011 event. The conference itself takes place 13-16 March, but starting on the 11th and carrying through the event the IGS will hold a number of meetings and lectures, most of which are open. Key gatherings include the new technical committees, continentally focused committees, the North American chapter's meeting, a corporate members reception and much more. Download the complete IGS itinerary in PDF.

Video has become an increasingly important medium online for disseminating geosynthetics information. The international manufacturer NAUE, an ISO 9001-certified group of companies, has recently produced numerous videos that showcase geosynthetic applications, testing, installation procedures, specific materials, and systems. The latest video is a general overview of geosynthetics in use and being installed. From runways to railways and from walls to the waterfronts, geotextiles, geomembranes, GCLs, geogrids, and other polymeric materials are improving infrastructures, reducing construction costs, and decreasing the carbon footprint of construction activities. See the video online. Learn more here.;

The 2nd International Conference on Transportation Geotechnics (IS-Hokkaido 2012) invites abstracts through 30 June 2011. Among the specific themes for the event are "Application of Geosynthetics," "Geotechnics for Pavement, Rail Track and Airfields," "Geomaterials, Including Non-Traditional Materials," and other matters of interest to the geosynthetics field. The conference will be held 10-12 September 2012 in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. Free short courses will be held on the day before the event. Learn more. Learn more here.;

The National Science Foundation-sponsored Geo-engineering Extreme Events Reconnaissance (GEER) team is traveling to Christchurch, New Zealand to document the effects of the Magnitude 6.3 earthquake that occurred on February 22, 2011. GEER teams focus on documenting geotechnical effects of extreme events as part of the U.S. National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP).

The Netherlands-based Royal Ten Cate has announced a net profit increase of 92% in 2010. The Geosynthetics and Grass sector played a substantial role, with EBITA having increased by 87%. With its Georgia-based American opertaions leading the way, the company reports seeing recovery in the American geosynthetics market, which in terms of size is Ten Cate's most important. In its release, Ten Cate notes that, "The improvement resulted from an increase in the number of infrastructure projects and intensive targeting of the South American market. Sales in the Asian geosynthetics market continued to grow (autonomous+7%). In Europe sales remained stable, although the number of infrastructure projects declined." Read more. Learn more here.;

On Monday, March 14, Kent von Maubeuge (NAUE) and Joerg Klompmaker (BBG) will present on "New Developments for Geogrid Reinforced Base Courses." The presentation will examine the complex summary of properties which contribute to the reinforcment of pavements, describe the mechanisitic-empirical design method (supported by experimental data), and provide the audience with a tangible reference to existing information, including comparison to the Giroud and Noiray (1981) design method. Catch it between 1:30-3:00 pm in the Geosynthetic Reinforcement Mechanisms in Pavement Stabilization track. Learn more here.;

TenCate Geosynthetics (Booth 607) will release new products, design software and details of their new paving warranty during Geo-Frontiers 2011. To learn more, visit one of their many mini-sessions, to be held in the TenCate exhibit hall booth on March 15 and 16. The schedule includes GeoDetect® (Tues. 1:00-1:30 pm, Wed. 10:00-10:30 am), RSi Intro (Tues. 2:00-2:30 pm, Wed. 11:00-11:30 am), MiraSpec (Tues. 3:00-3:30 pm, Wed. 12:00-12:30pm), and Warranty (Tues. 4:00-4:30pm, Wed. 1:00-1:30 pm). Learn more here.;

On Sunday, March 13, multiple day-long short courses are offered for deeply focused discussion and education on specific geosynthetics topics. For the "Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil" course, geosynthetics experts from the Pacific Northwest, Dr. Robert Holtz, Ph.D., P.E., Professor Emeritus, University of Washington and Jonathan Fannin, Ph.D., PEng, University of British Columbia will cover earth retaining structures, bridge abutments, and fill slopes. Careful examination of material properties and durability, principles of analysis, codes of practice in design, and field performance data should leave attendees with a clear understanding of all that goes into creating superior soil reinforced structures. Learn more here.;

Management consulting, publishing and training firm ZweigWhite is pleased to announce the acquisition of Stagnito Media's Engineering Group--its architectural and engineering resources--through a new wholly-owned subsidiary, ZweigWhite Media, LLC. Included in the acquisition is CE News. Read more.

In an article in the Business Times, Malaysia-based Emas Kiara Industries Bhd reveals that it has not yet decided upon its future geosynthetic manufacturing plan as it waits to finalize the sale of its business to TenCate. In the meantime, the company is focusing on its standing orders for installation, fabrication and related geosynthetics work. Learn more here.;

The North American Geosynthetics Society (NAGS)--a chapter of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS)--will hold its biennial general assembly on March 14 from 5:00-6:00 pm in the Atrium Room of the Sheraton Dallas. This gathering is in conjunction with Geo-Frontiers 2011. For more information about activities of NAGS, visit the society's home page. Learn more here.;

On Monday, March 14, during the Geo-Frontiers 2011 conference (13-16 March 2011, Dallas), John Lostumbo of TenCate Geosynthetics will present a much-anticipated paper on "Geosynthetic Enabled with Fiber Optic Sensors for MSE Bridge Abutment Supporting Shallow Bridge Foundations." Geotextiles with fiberoptic components provide a resource for monitoring various design functions including strain. Data collected from fiber optic monitoring can be used to determine the functional longevity of civil structures helping to insure safety as well as providing data which may be used for evaluation of design methods. Download the abstract here.

The Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) has announced the speakers and topics for the plenary lectures being delivered at Geo-Frontiers 2011, a multi-disciplinary geotechnical engineering conference being held 13-16 March 2011 in Dallas, Texas. Key speakers include Norbert Morgenstern, Antonio Bobet, Kenneth H. Stokoe II, and Junichi Koseki. Read more.