Soil Reinforcement

TRI/Environmental has steadily (often quietly) added to its testing and training business over the years, but 2008 may have its most significant. New hires (including industry veteran Rich Lacey) have strengthened the efficiency and skill of TRI's work; new testing equipment has greatly expanded the company's capabilities, especially in geotechnical areas; TRI has achieved AASHTO's American Materials Research Laboratory (AMRL) certification; electrical resistivity testing training continues with participants coming from all over the world; the Denver Downs large-scale testing facility is maturing; and much more. It's been an important 2008 and bodes well for a strong future. Read TRI's annual letter for the full story.

On 27 February 2009, the Geosynthetic Institute will deliver the 22nd installment of its GRI conference series. GRI-22 has been formed under the title "It's All in the Details." These shorter, discussion-prompting presentations will group under the headings of materials and testing, field installation, field performance, and new devices, concepts and presentations. Though a one-day event, GRI-22 is going to be as full as one would hope. Seventeen presentations will be given, as will time for discussion. It's a can't miss event in the geosynthetics field. We encourage everyone to attend--GRI-22 is co-located with Geosynthetics 2009 (Salt Lake City, 25-27 February 2009). Here is the final program for the event, courtesy of Drs. Robert and George Koerner of the Geosynthetic Institute.

Ireland's Sunday Business Post has published short interview's with 10 businesses on surviving, and even thriving, in a down economy. The last section in the article includes an interview with FLI Environmental's Michael Flynn. "...we will all just have to find a new way of doing business," Flynn says. "This year will be all about sharpening our focus and controlling our costs." Read more in the Post. Learn more here.;

The massive coal ash retention pond breach in Tennessee has reignited debate about how best to dispose of coal ash. Too often, ash is buried in unlined cells. And, increasingly, opposition is being raised over the construction of unlined cells. Though it will cost more in the short run, the construction of proper waste containment cells, with liners and fully engineered, reinforced earth walls, seems to be the right solution.

The latest updates from ASTM International are available. In this final update for 2008, we have a new standard and work item from Committee D35 on Geosynthetics and a few items from the recently quite prolific Committee D18 on Soil and Rock. Visit the ASTM Update page for details.

UK-based Applied Market Information (AMI) has launched the digital magazine Compounding World to cover compounding, masterbatch production, and the various materials and markets affected and influenced by these early points in the manufacturing chain. Many readers of geosynthetica will know AMI from its series of conferences around the world, such as Waterproof Membranes, Plastics in Underground Pipes, and Polymer Sourcing. Read the first issue (December 2008) of Compounding World online. Learn more here.;

NAUE's geosynthetic business has truly become global. A brief news piece from Germany looks at the company's work from Espelkamp and Lübbecke, its reinforcement and barrier technologies, and key personnel. (In German.) Learn more here.;

TenCate Geosynthetics’ has announced some organizational changes for 2009: Wally Moore will relocate to Austria as Managing Director of TenCate Geosynthetics Europe; Lee Bryan will be promoted to President of TenCate Geosynthetics North America; and John Henderson will become Senior Vice President, responsible for all sales and marketing activities at the North American office. Congratulations are due to all three for their years of accomplishments for TenCate. We look forward to working with them in their new capacities. Learn more here.;

When businessman Ashok Bwanani wanted to get involved with the 6,000-miles of new interstate construction in India, he sought an international partner who could provide geosynthetic reinforcement expertise. Using the internet, he found Strata Systems. Soon enough, Strata India was born. And the rest, as they say, is history. Read the story of how these opposides of the world are working together to build a better infrastructure. Learn more here.;

It seems like the broadcasts began only yesterday, but indeed the truth of the matter is that the Erosion and Sediment Control Network (ESCN.tv) has reached its 200th episode! Congratulations are due to Land and Water magazine and the ESCN team for their years of work on this unique service to the industry. This week's online broadcast includes not just the week's news but a nice montage of the path to 200 and various congratulatory statements from industry figures such as Laurie Honnigford, Marc Theissen, Scott Nelson, Mark Myrowich and Russ Adsit. Learn more here.;

geosynthetica posts its first CEN Standards Watch: a breakdown of the standards currently under development or up for approval with Europe-based CEN's Technical Committee 189 (CEN/TC 189), which focuses on geosynthetics. Other important groups will be monitored as we move forth in this tracking of international standards formation. Read the first update here.

PGI members voted to grow the PVC Geomembrane Institute to the Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI). The FGI—like the PGI—is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the use of fabricated geomembranes through education, research, and technology transfer. PVC geomembranes will continue to be an important part of the FGI, but the FGI will also include all geomembranes that are factory fabricated. Read more about it.

ASCE's job board includes a call for a full-time geotechnical "Research Associate 3 or 4." The position is with the Louisiana Transportation Research Center (LTRC) at Louisiana State University (LSU). Among the requirements one finds a desired background that includes "analysis of geosynthetic reinforced subgrade and base materials, and accelerated load testing…." Read more at ASCE's page. Learn more here.;

We've found that the 13-19 December 2008 issue of the UK-based newspaper The Economist is loaded with engineering-ready fodder, from an extensive report on India and China's needs (and what the world economy needs from those nations) to an editorial and coverage on President-elect Barack Obama's proposed massive spending on improving American infrastructure. Some articles are available free online. Learn more here.;

Sediment erosion into streams is a large concern even for trails in parks. Increasingly, districts are turning to long-term corrections of pathways through the use of geotextiles and geocells in trail construction. Over at the United States Forestry Service's "Success Stories" website, Dianne Berry writes on the rebuild of stream crossing in Manistee National Forest. Learn more here.;

The 185-mile-long, historic Chesapeake and Ohio Canal--more familiarly known as the C&O Canal--was compeleted in 1850 and served as a major transport corridor for goods such as lumber and grain. Today, it is a national park surrounded by more than 12,000 acres of land. Not long ago, a towpath began to fail when drainage pipe broke. The saturated slope gave way and exposed a main water line for Arlington County, Virginia. Repair of the slope was key both for the preservation of this historic canal and for the safety of Arlington's water supply. Maccaferri's Green Terramesh® system was selected to provide slope stability and vegetation for the natural look park patrons and officials seek along the C&O. Construction was quick, economical and effective. Read Pino Cignarella's case study.

Propex Geosynthetics has released a new website in support of its ArmorMax™ Anchor Reinforced Vegetation System product line. The site features a wealth of information about ArmorMax, including features and benefits, case studies, a downloadable product brochure, and how the product is used as a permanent solution for structural and non-structural applications. Read more in and link to the site from the release.

The 9th International Conference on Geosynthetics (9ICG) has extended its Call for Papers to 15 January 2009. Abstracts are sought on key topics such as drainage, mining, durability and long-term performance, transportation, hydraulic applications, new products and much more. The 9ICG will be held 23-27 May 2010 in Guaruja, São Paulo, Brazil, under the auspices of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS). Learn more here.;

Seaman Corporation is investing $7 million in expanding capabilities at its Bristol, Tennessee manufacturing facility. The company makes, among other things, geomembranes. This latest round of investment is part of a three-year improvement in the Bristol site. Learn more here.;

India-based Fibre 2 Fashion has published an interview with Suresh Kannan, Vice President, SRF Limited. Mr. Kannan comments on the importance of growing sectors in India. Of note, he cites Indian government support for research and development and new spending initiatives to produce an infrastructure capable of sustaining growth. Road construction, waste management, airport runways and coastal erosion control are expected to be major sectors. Agrotech also shows promise. Read more. Learn more here.;

The latest conference update from the Asia Mining Congress 2009 is available. The current issue includes information on the latest speakers from mining, manufacturing, governments, and investment groups; workshops; sponsors; and the most current event brochure. The conference will be held 23-27 March 2009, Singapore. Read the newsletter online. Learn more here.;

The Board of Directors of ADS Inc. has announced the company's financial results for the third quarter ended 26 October 2008. The company's sales volume increased 4.7% in the quarter, and for the first nine months of the fiscal year ADS posts an 11% increase. Sales volume is up due to growth in the company's Afitex Texel Geosynthetics Inc. joint venture. Of note, the company reports success in the Draintubes product line. Learn more here.;

The organizers of GeoAfrica 2009 have opened the registration section of the conference website. The event has received tremendous support in abstract submissions--more than double the expected and from 26 countries--and exhibitors (all space nearly sold out). This is shaping up to be a can't-miss event. Visit the conference website's new registration page. Learn more here.;

Well, this is interesting. Geosynthetics are rarely introduced to students in early education; but Andrew Harris, a high school junior in Riviera Beach, Florida, will compete in the Palm Beach County Science and Engineering Fair with his study "Geosynthetics: Creating a Stronger Soil." Harris did tests with soil samples for his project research. Read about it in the Sun-Sentinel. Learn more here.;

Geomembrane and fabrication specialist firm BTL has issued its annual letter regarding holiday closure dates. The company and its staff will close for a holiday mid-day on December 23 and will reopen on January 5. Read general manager Ron MacKenzie's letter here.