Soil Reinforcement

The International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) is holding its first-ever photo competition. Members should keep an eye on the deadline date: 1 February 2010. This initiative comes just ahead of the planned April 2010 launch of the redesigned IGS website and May 2010's major, quadrennial IGS conference: 9ICG. The 9th International Conference on Geosynthetics will be held 23-27 May 2010 in Guaruja, Brazil (near São Paulo).

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 Government Accountability Office (GAO), an independent, nonpartisan entity, is tasked with investigating how the federal government spends taxpayer dollars. Among its central work is auditing agency operations for or advising agencies on more efficient and effective spending considerations. It stands as no small matter, then, that two Congressional figures have submitted a letter to the GAO requesting the performance of a study "to investigate the life cycle costs and benefits of incorporating innovative materials in pavements." Geosynthetics can play a welcomed role here. Read more.

The January 2016 GeoConnect Newsletter from HUESKER has a strong focus on coal ash and geosynthetics, on the updated coal combustion residual (CCR) regulations in the United States...

Propex™ has launched a new series of e-learning training modules focused on woven geotextiles. The modules include profiles of applications, benefits, and installation notes from the company’s Geotex® Wovens...

Writing for NJ Biz, Shankar P. analyzes the role lobbyists are playing in influencing the spending of federal stimulus funds. Shankar's article includes mention of Advanced Drainage Systems (ADS) and the company's manufacturing facility in New Jersey. Learn more here.;

New Civil Engineer (NCE) Insight is a magazine targetted to students, parents, advisors, and others on potential careers in civil engineering. The Autumn 2009 issue is available online. Read it today. Learn more here.;

Synteen Technical Fabrics has announced that the company will expand its wide-width weaving capacity by 400% at the Lancaster, South Carolina plant. Synteen Technical Fabrics weaves high-strength polyester geosynthetics for soil reinforcement and stabilization applications, such as for segmental retaining walls, base course and subgrade stabilization for roadway construction, and slope stabilization and repair. Read more in the release.

Tensar International Corporation's innovative TriAx™ geogrid, and the technical developments it represents, has won one of civil engineering's most prestigious awards, from the International Geosynthetics Society. Tim Oliver, Tensar International Vice President Marketing, explains: "The IGS Award is all the more significant because it is presented for achievement in the period since 2005, not just the best in one year. Entry is by invitation following nominations from the industry, so Tensar's TriAx™ has obviously already made a genuine impression on an international stage."

Baum Publications' Canadian Environmental Protection changed its name in 2010 to Environmental Solutions Magazine. Read the latest at ESM now. Learn more here.;

Americhem, Inc., a global provider of custom color and additive solutions for polymer- based and synthetic-fibers products, recently introduced nDuramax™, an advanced family of high-performance UV stabilizers. The product line includes a new UV stabilizer solution for PET fibers that offers significantly improved weathering compared to traditional technologies. The sectors for which these UV stabilizers may be used include geosynthetics. Learn more here.;

Start the week with the latest in the geoengineering world. Here's the GeoWire conversation for the week of June 29. WORK SMARTER. BIG PROJECTS The US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)...

During the week of 26 July 2010 Dr. Barry Christopher, a past president of the North American Geosynthetics Society (NAGS) and private geotechnical consultant, and David Suits, NAGS Executive Director, presented two one-and-a-half-day short courses on "Geosynthetics in Reinforcement Applications." These sessions were presented through the Cornell University Local Roads Technical Assistance Program (LTAP). Learn more.

GeoU 2022 co-locates five high-level, geosynthetics short courses and multiple engineering networking events, 5 – 8 April 2022 in Austin, Texas. Certification exams for each of the two-day short courses will be offered...

No one in Fernley, Nevada is yet sure about what caused a breach in the canal's earthen wall. The flood caused significant damage to the town. The US Bureau of Reclamation (BuRec) has indicated a cause may not be discovered; but that what is for sure is that the canal will be repaired with stronger materials and a more modern design. The precise design has not been selected yet. Learn more here.;

Tensar International, the leader in geosynthetic soil reinforcement and stabilization, has completed a major investment in its Morrow, GA geogrid production plant. The facility's new extruder is now operating at full capacity, offering additional production capacity to help meet growing demand for Tensar® TriAx® Geogrids. The new extruder can run multiple resin types and allows the facility to run longer production campaigns. Significant growth of TriAx® Geogrid sales prompted the investment.

A county in northwestern Ohio is using geotextile-reinforced aggregate to build abutments and wingwalls for bridges and culverts, in an adaptation of an old, old, idea. And it works. Warren Schlatter, the county engineer in Defiance, Ohio, says there have been no failures or problems with the bridges. "They do what I want them to do," he says. Read more. 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.

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is developing new roads to improve access for residents who live near I-5 in the fast-growing zone along the Washington-Oregon border. As Associated Construction Publications (ACP) reports, the region is transitioning from rural to suburban infrastructures, populations and traffic volumes. But developers and officials want to keep the wilder appearance of the area, so they are using interesting drainage technologies for site runoff. Holding ponds release across geogrid slopes with tree branch cover. As the water flows through, it interacts with the brush as in a wetland. Eventually, it reaches a creek. Learn more here.;

Day two in Würzburg, Germany and day one of the 3rd International Conference on Geosynthetic Clay Liners was excellent. Yet again while we met inside Würzburg's historic Fortress Marienberg, the The Three Musketeers remake went on filming in the adjacent building, which is to serve, ostensibly, as Paris. Nevertheless, Kerry Rowe (Queens University, Canada) and Craig Benson (University of Wisconsin, USA) gave excellent keynote lectures. Read more.

Johannesburg, South Africa's only food-grade plastic recycling plant is run by Extrupet, a company that also operates non-food grade division. The non-food grade division, established in 2005, converts plastic bottles into components, such as fibers, that have been used in road stabilization and separation geotextiles. The company's latest expansion into food-grade recycled products is in response to a spike in demand for recycled content in new products. Learn more here.;

The Municipality of Abu Dhabi City-sponsored Geosynthetics (environment-friendly materials) Middle East Conference 2011 got to a great start today in Abu Dhabi featuring participation of an elite panel of regional and global roads and infrastructure experts. The event, which runs for two days, is organized by German Plastics Centre SKZ in collaboration with the German Chamber of Commerce with the aim of promoting the commitment to a sustained and environment-friendly infrastructure. During the Conference, the Municipal Infrastructure and Assets Sector at the Municipality of Abu Dhabi City presented a working paper highlighting the key road and infrastructure projects undertaken by the Municipality in the past.

The Association of Geohazard Professionals (AGHP) is a new professional association that has emerged to serve and promote an engineering sector that has been largely unsupported in the United...

Tensar International has signed an agreement to build a manufacturing plant in Russia. Tensar is the majority shareholder in this joint venture (JV), with remaining investment coming from Russian partners. Don Meltzer, CEO of Alpharetta based parent company, Tensar Corporation, and Bob Vevoda, Chief Operating Officer and President of Tensar International, met with their Russian JV partners in London earlier this month to finalize the funding and construction schedule.

One of the world’s most active chapters of the International Geosynthetics Society was created 20 years ago. This year, when IGS Brasil members gather for the chapter’s annual meeting,...