Soil Reinforcement

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.

The International Erosion Control Association (IECA) is calling for submittals for Environmental Connection 2011 (EC11), annual conference and expo of IECA. Combining quality education with a world-class expo, EC11 is the premier gathering place for the erosion and sediment control community, drawing attendees from over 20 countries and 150 exhibitors to Orlando, Florida, 20-23 February 2011. The deadline to submit an abstract for the conference's consideration is 20 May 2010.

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) today awarded over $2 million in grants to four University Transportation Centers (UTC) located throughout the United States to advance research and education programs that address critical transportation challenges facing our nation. UTCs conduct research that directly support USDOT priorities and are a critical part of our national transportation strategy.

Thousands of Minot, N.D., residents were told to leave their homes as the Souris River swelled and threatened severe flooding. The water is expected to breach a dike system built in 1969 after severe flooding that year. New dikes are being built and others are being reinforced. Learn more here.;

Roads & Bridges magazine hosts a regular "Roads & Bridges Live" series on relevant transportation topics. The one- or two-day events offer attendees PDHs. On 4-5 November 2009, the magazine will host a live session on "Bridge Infrastructure." Up to 11 PDHs will be awarded to participants. Learn more and register at the event website. Learn more here.;

The debate in the New Orleans region over levee redesigns is now pitting 100-year flood defense designs against calls for even taller levees. The US Army Corp of Engineers has been conducting extensive rebuilds, including raising levees, and is now advocating defense against overtopping failure on the back sides of the levees. Many officials, however, would prefer even taller levees. Learn more here.;

Mr Manfred Balzer, qualified engineer and Managing Director of HUESKER Synthetic GmbH in Gescher, Westphalia, proudly announces: "There are not many companies lucky enough to be able to celebrate their 150th anniversary". Thanks to the innovative orientation and potential of HUESKER's excellent staff, the company has become an international market leader since it was established 150 years ago. Read more in the company's celebratory release.

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.

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa P. Jackson shares her memo to the agency regarding her first year at the helm and the now-expanded list of priorities for going forward.

GSE Environmental's "Geosynthetics for Success" Technical Seminar Series returns with two dates in August and another in October. These events bring top-tier speakers together on major engineering topics, new technologies, new designs and more. For attendees, it is an opportunity not only to learn about the latest regulations and engineering approaches but advances in geosynthetic technologies that are helping make some applications possible and others more economical and sustainable. Professional development credits are also available for attendees. In August, the technical seminar series will arrive in Australia, first in Perth (August 7) and then in Brisbane (August 9). In October, the seminar returns to the USA for a session in Chantilly, Virgina. Learn more.

A team of undergraduate and graduate students from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute recently won the 2011 National GeoChallenge for their innovative earth wall design. The annual competition, sponsored by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Geo-Institute, pits teams of university students against each other in a very structural, earthy competition: using sand as a meaningful, weight-bearing construction medium.

ASCE G-I Geosynthetics committee is soliciting papers for a mini symposium during GeoDenver 07 under the following theme: Geosynthetics in Cyclic, Seismic, and Dynamic Applications: Lesson Learned. If interested , please forward brief abstract (100 words in PDF format) to Mo Gabr, gabr@eos.ncsu.edu by April 17 2006. Geosynthetic materials are used in many difficult geological conditions as a tool for cost effective design and enhanced construction. While applications in various industry sectors are at different stages of development, documented case histories on the use of geosynthetics in cyclic, seismic, and dynamic projects are rare. This mini symposium entitled "Geosynthetics in Cyclic, Seismic, and Dynamic Applications: Lesson Learned" aims to encompass several (may be 2-4) sessions describing lessons learned when incorporating geosynthetics in such applications. The cyclic, seismic, and dynamic cases include machine and traffic, earthquakes, explosives, wave, and impact loading with reinforcement, drainage, and containment application. As such, examples with a focus on design or performance case histories are (loading being cyclic, seismic, and/or dynamic): i. Dams and Liquefaction ii. Seismic Stability of Mining Impoundments ii. Walls and Slopes iii. Water Storage Reservoirs and Waste Containment Facilities iv. Structures subjected to Wave Loading including Shorelines v. Machine Foundation vi. Bridge Foundation vii. Instrumented Pavement Sections viii. Other Applications. Learn more here.;

7IGC 22-27 September 2002 in Nice was a fantastic success! Over 1,200 attendees, all booths sold out(and a few extras), elections, four unique educational tracks (300+ papers), dining, dancing, footballand so much more.

Maccaferri's professional development webinars have built a steady, strong following and addressed topics such as geotextiles and geogrids, MSE wall design and installation, gabions, rockfall protection, and embankment construction. These sessions run roughly 90 min, include expert presenters, provide a non-credit 0.15 CEU certificate, technical document downloads, and ample time for direct Q&A between the listening audience and the presenters. In November, the company is presenting two new sessions, both of which are free to participants. Learn more.

Tensar International Corporation (TIC), a leading developer and manufacturer of technology-driven site solutions, has expanded its pavement reinforcement capabilities with the addition of the GlasPave™ Waterproofing Paving Mat, new from Saint-Gobain Technical Fabrics (SGTF). The GlasPave™ mat joins SGTF’s well-established GlasGrid® Pavement Reinforcement System, used to reduce reflective cracking on highways, runways and parking lots. TIC is the exclusive distributor of both products throughout North and South America. Read more.

David Butchart has returned to the geotechnical engineering field in a new business development and strategy role with Earth Wall Products, LLC. The company provides proprietary retaining wall systems...

One of the biggest geotechnical events in the Americas this year has announced a gracious deadline expansion for the early registration rate. The PanAmerican Conference on Soil Mechanics and...

The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) continues to push geosynthetics education and professional development in forward-thinking ways. In 2012, GSI Director Emeritus Dr. Robert Koerner acquired full publishing rights to his seminal...

Get the final details on the International Seminar on Eurocodes 7 and 8 from the Macedonian Association for Geotechnics' (MAG) website for the conference. The event--also under the name Eurocodes: Building the Future--will be held 29 October-1 November 2008 in Struga, Macedonia. MAG is a chapter of the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE). Learn more here.;

Dashu Mountain in Hefei City, Anhui Province, China, is a well-known tourist destination for people throughout South Asia. The area’s beauty is a particularly popular draw for hikers....

October is turning out to be a month of substantially good news for Imagine IM. The Australia-based producer of graphene has just been recognized with an Australian Engineering Excellence...

South Africa-based Kaytech Engineered Fabrics has announced the addition of Paul Pratt to its team of geosynthetics experts. Pratt joins Kaytech as a Technical Manager. Previously, he served as National Sales Manager for Fibertex South Africa. Paul Pratt's new company contact information is paul@kaytech.co.za, +27 (0)83 2810078.

Co-hosted by IGS Thailand, a chapter of the International Geosynthetics Society, the International Conference on Slopes 2010 will be held in Chiang Mai, Thailand 23-25 July 2010. The conference's main theme is "Geotechniques and Geosynthetics for Slopes." Stabilization, remediation, design and other engineering issues will be key. The official language of the conference is English. Learn more at the conference website. Learn more here.;

New York's Crown Point Reservation is a historic landmark. Geomembrane-lined coffer dams are being used to enable some critical bulkhead reinforcement work and a zebra mussel-removal scheme below water. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) is also improving drainage works and stabilizing the shoreline. 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.