Soil Reinforcement

The US Government's General Accounting Office (GAO) has released its report on the 22 December 2008 surface impoundment failure at the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Kingston, Tennessee facility. That failure released 5.4 million cubic yards of coal ash across 300 acres. TVA nows estimates cleanup costs north of $1 billion, with final cleanup to be completed in the next two to three years. The GAO's October/November 2009 report identifies the number and locations of coal ash surface impoundments in the United States; problems, if any, with the storage of coal ash, and how those problems are being addressed; and the type of federal oversight that exists for this segment and what, if any, issues need to be resolved. Read the full briefing here. Learn more here.;

On November 21, LyondellBasell released the following statement: "LyondellBasell has received a preliminary non-binding offer from Reliance Industries Limited to acquire for cash a controlling interest in the company contemporaneously with the company's emergence from Chapter 11 reorganization. This offer is in addition to the previous non-binding equity financing proposals received by the company and represents a potential alternative to the initial plan of reorganization previously filed by the company. Consistent with its fiduciary duties, management will continue to work with all parties to design an approach that maximizes value for the company's creditors through the pursuit of a confirmable plan of reorganization and enhances the financial strength of the reorganized company."

feedstock costs and a tighter rein on production have allowed prices for several commodity resins to post modest increases since November 1. Learn more here.;

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is accepting nominations for the 15th annual Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards. The awards recognize innovative chemical technologies that incorporate green chemistry into the design, manufacture, and use of chemicals, and that have broad applications in industry. For the challenge, nominated technologies should reduce or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances from a chemical product or process. Any individual, group or nongovernmental organization, both nonprofit and for-profit, including academia and industry, may nominate a green chemistry technology for the awards. Self-nominations are welcome. Awards are made each year in five categories, including "Greener Synthetic Pathways."

The value of construction in emerging countries will more than double in the next 11 years according to Global Construction 2020, a new report from Global Construction Perspectives and Oxford Economics. Global construction output is expected to increase +70% overall, with mature countries' output rising +35%, compared to the +110% rise forecast in the developing world. Learn more here.;

The 9th International Conference on Geosynthetics (9ICG) Brazil - 2010 will provide an opportunity to learn about and discuss highly technical and scientific geosynthetics issues and their solutions. A primary objective of the conference is to present the most recent developments, improvements and new technologies from the international geosynthetics community. The IGS Brasil (Brazilian Association of Geosynthetics) and ABMS (Brazilian Association of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering) will organize the conference under the auspices of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) in association with the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE) and with the support of the ABINT (Brazilian Association of Nonwoven and Technical Textiles). Read more.

The 9th International Conference on Geosynthetics (9ICG) is offering its very early-bird registration rate through 22 November 2009. Those who take advantage of registering now will save up to 20% on the conference. The 9ICG will be held 23-27 May 2010 in Guaruja, São Paulo, Brazil, under the auspices of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS). Please register as soon as possible. Learn more here.;

Ian Peggs writes from Dubai: "One resin manufacturer, a geomembrane manufacturer, a design engineering representative, and a liner installer attended and participated in lively discussion during the day-long post-conference workshop on HDPE geomembrane. These workshop participants came from Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates and the workshop was led by Dr. Ian D. Peggs (I-CORP). Key topics included liner leak statistics, consequences of leakage, action leakage rates, finding the responsible leaks, and estimating the remaining exposed geomembrane lifetime." Read more.

Vice President Joe Biden and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced that the Department of Transportation has jumpstarted more than 10,000 transportation projects across America thanks to its swift allocation of Recovery Act dollars. As of this week, state agencies reported a total of 10,041 approved. Read more.

When ASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics meets in San Antonio, Texas (27-29 January 2010), the gathering will include a Geosynthetic Research Institute (GRI)/D35 joint workshop on durability. The workshop--"Geosynthetic Material Durability: Field and Laboratory Experiences"--will be held on 29 January. Download the official program here (PDF). Learn more here.;

Abstract submissions are still being accepted for the 2nd Global Waste Management Symposium through 1 December 2009. Proposed topics for the 2010 GWMS include: facility design, climate change, leachate management, waste containment, energy recovery and much more. Learn about it here.

Ian Peggs writes from Dubai: "Day 2, now, from Dubai and SKZ's 2nd International Conference on Geosynthetics Middle East. About 85 registrants in total are here. A couple of geosynthetica underwriters spoke early on with Oliver Detert (Huesker) presenting interesting research test data on geogrid-reinforced bridge abutments Ivica Ducik of Colbond discussing interesting multifunction applications of Enkamat S-based composites with a primary function of sound and vibration control." Read more.

The US Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) has undertaken an extensive $25 million levee rebuilding project along approximately seven miles of Grand Isle in Louisiana. Tropical Storm Ida landed about 100 miles away a few days ago and caused a levee breach. However, it must be noted that the failed levee area had not yet been updated with the new Geotube design. Construction has been progressing steadily from east to west but had not yet reached the portion of beach affected by Ida. No reconstructed zones with the new Geotubes have failed or suffered any damage. Learn more here.;

The U.S. Forest Service has decided to close 39 miles of off-road vehicle trails that brought off-road enthusiasts to the Cherokee County area, North Carolina. Numerous off-road trails had become severely eroded, having eroded down to bedrock. All of the eroded soil washed into waterways and interrupted the health of fisheries. The district reports that of 2100 sediment traps installed, roughly one third had failed. Trailbuilders should take note of this, improve their designs, and better select the soil separation and reinforcement materials for the specific use and environmental conditions. Learn more here.;

SKZ's 2nd International Conference on Geosynthetics Middle East is being held in Dubai, UAE, 10-11 November 2009 with geomembrane and geogrid technologies guiding most of the discussions. A special one-day seminar will follow on November 12 on HDPE liner issues. Ian Peggs of I-CORP has sent along a write-up from day one of the conference. Read his synopsis of the presentations and companies present at the event, and see images from this region of ever-increasing importance to the geosynthetics field.

Anyone involved with the design and construction of green buildings can now use the first comprehensive standard contract document that addresses the many challenges associated with these complex projects. The new document, known as the ConsensusDOCSTM 310 Green Building Addendum, was developed by members of the ConsensusDOCS group to help advise the owner, set proper expectations, and avoid delays and other legal hassles in the construction of buildings seeking green certification or other sustainable goals. Read more.

Geosynthetica supports its underwriters and the geosynthetics field on many fronts: in magazine articles, in daily news on its site and as an approved provider to Google News, through webinars, with market research, and in many other ways. One of the important ways we deliver geosynthetics information around the world is through support of conferences, particularly of those that are not exclusive to geosynthetics or which have not yet realized their full market or regional potential in their utilization or understanding of geosynthetic technologies. In 2010, some of the events for which Geosynthetica.net is serving as a cooperating organization / media sponsor include: ** EC10 in Dallas, Texas, USA -- 16-20 February 2010; ** 7th Cooperation for Waste Issues in Kharkiv, Ukraine -- 7-8 April 2010; ** Polymers in Photovoltaics 2010 in Cologne, Germany -- 20-22 April 2010; ** LatAm Mining Congress 2010 in Coral Gables, Florida, USA -- 27-29 April 2010; ** Global Waste Management Symposium 2010 in San Antonio, Texas, USA -- 3-6 October 2010. **** To learn more about how you can be part of these events and others with Geosynthetica.net, or how Geosynthetica can work with you to expand your reach, contact Elizabeth Peggs at elizabeth@geosynthetica.net.

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection may change its policy for inspecting coal ash impoundments after a survey uncovered more problems — and dams — than expected. A report detailing the survey shows engineers found three of the state's 20 coal ash impoundments are in poor condition and two that the state had no idea existed were rated unsatisfactory. Learn more here.;

A Pennsylvania company has received a $36 million contract to repair Bluestone Dam. Brayman Construction Company of Saxonburg, Pa., will install 54 anchors in the dam's spillway and east abutment areas to help strengthen and stabilize the structure. Brayman also will build a work platform along the dam's western downstream face. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plans to install 600 anchors to increase the dam's stability. Learn more here.;

The Munich-based chemical company WACKER is strengthening its presence in India by opening a technical center in Mumbai. The facility will serve as a regional competence center for developments and applications in the construction, coatings, plastics and textile coatings industry, the main focus being on construction polymers, silicone emulsions, sealants, silanes and silicone resins. The new technical center will enable WACKER to tap the fast-growing markets in this part of the world. The investment is aimed at providing local support to customers for developing new and customized products while promoting internationally recognized quality standards in India. In 2008, WACKER generated annual sales of nearly €50 million with more than 140 employees in India.

County Road 36 along the Crow River in the Otsego area of Minnesota, near Highway 101, has had a 20 to 50% chance of flooding each year. The commonality of floods has cost the area significant road delays, commercial dollars, and maintenance time and money. A new plan is being carried out now to support a critical quarter-mile stretch with a combination of geofoam, geotextile and geogrid. The project should be completed by late November. Learn more here.;

On Tuesday, 3 November, our engineer colleagues and friends Gaye Sprague and John Paulson were elected to their city councils. At a time when so much of American government is debating infrastructure, it seems especially relevant and important to have civil engineers serve in office. Read about them here.

NAUE GmbH & Co. KG, a German manufacturer of geosynthetic materials, such as geosynthetic clay liners will be appealing a recent decision of Australian Customs imposing anti-dumping measures on its products. NAUE is an internationally active company with a long-standing record of high-performance products and high integrity in its involvement in the global market. This includes many years of successful interaction with and service to numerous sectors of civil engineering and construction in Australia. Read the company's response here.

Driven by strong upturns in Asia and despite additional, though slowing declines in the U.S. and Europe, the global construction market is forecast to yield virtually no growth in 2010 following back-to-back contractions in 2008 and 2009, according to the Third Quarter Global Construction Outlook by IHS Global Insight's Construction Service HIS forecasts China to lead recovery with the United States, Europe and Japan lagging.

The North American Geosynthetics Society (NAGS), the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Geo-Institute (GI) have signed an agreement to co-organize Geo-Frontiers 2011. The last Geo-Frontiers was held in 2005 in Austin, Texas. The 2011 edition will be held at the Sheraton-Dallas Hotel 13-16 March 2011. The event is the second Geo-Frontiers, the first of which was held in 2005 in Austin. The Call for Proposals has been issued. In addition to traditional paper sessions, this call seeks proposals for activities that will allow professional colleagues to share their expertise through panel discussions, hands-on workshops and short courses; and “show-and-tell” their stories in field demonstrations and technical tours. Learn more in the PDF brochure. Learn more here.;