Special Series

GRI White Paper #6 on Geomembrane Lifetime Prediction: Unexposed and Exposed Conditions, by Robert M. Koerner, Y. Grace Hsuan and George R. Koerner of the Geosynthetic Institute is now available. Learn more here.;

In-Situ Separation of GCL Panels Beneath Exposed Geomembrane, written by Robert M. Koerner and George R. Koerner, Geosynthetic Institute, now available on geosynthetica.net.

A short review and the abstracts from the International Erosion Control Association's Annual Conference are now available online.

Glenn Darilek and Daren Laine of Leak Location Services Inc. have authored a concise white paper on why and how geoelectrical leak location surveys are superior to water-balance tests. It's a wonderfully written account that breaks down the reasons by cost, time, accuracy, bias and environmental impact.

TenCate subsidiary Xennia Technology in Letchworth (England) has today announced the planned acquisition of software company Cametrics from Cambridge (England). Cametrics specializes in printing software for inkjet technology. With this take over, market leader Xennia Technology will have complete control over printing software as a critical component of its modular industrial inkjet solutions, including for textile applications.

Unchecked sediment runoff from a commercial development has caused 'devastating' damage to the Hickory Creek Barrens Nature Preserve in New Lenox, Illinois. Improperly installed (perhaps improperly specified) and absent control devices are the cause. A lawsuit is expected. Cleanup and more stringent erosion protection will be needed. Learn more here.;

Demtech Services, Inc. (www.demtech.com) is hitting the road with "Demtech On The Move," an innovative solution that delivers customer service right to your door step. To do this, Demtech welcomes Wayne Leger to its field services team. Wayne will be traveling throughout the United States with his fully-equipped trailer to bring the following services to you: Equipment Demonstrations; Hands-On Training; IAGI Proctoring; and On-Site Repairs.

The first issue of the Failure Analysis and Prevention Special Interest Group of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) is available. This May 2010 issue includes a message from the chair on the newsletter's development, news of the ANTEC 2010 event, meeting minutes, and key contacts. Read the issue today (PDF). Learn more here.;

CETCO has announced the next session of GCL University, an on-going series of comprehensive training seminars for engineers, regulatory personnel and facility owners/operators. This next session will be held in Pocatello, Idaho on February 12 and focus on "Design and Construction with Geosynthetics in Mining Cover Systems." Practical applications and engineering principles will be the focus. The seminar is free of charge. Those in attendance will be eligible for 5 hours of pdh credit. SPEAKERS INCLUDE Craig H. Benson (University of Wisconsin-Madison), Greg Corcoran (Geosyntec Consultants), an agency representative from the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, Monte Christie (Geo-Logic Associates, Inc.), and David Andrews and Greg Groene (TRC Solutions, Inc.).

GMA is reintroducing the book "Geofoam Geosynthetic" written by Professor John S. Horvath, a well-known expert on geofoam, the book provides an exhaustive review of world literature on this topic..

This report analyzes the worldwide markets for Geosynthetics in Million Square Yards. The market for the US is also analyzed in US$ million. The report provides separate comprehensive analytics for US, Europe, Asia Pacific and Rest of World. Annual forecasts are provided for each region for the period 2007 through 2015. Also, a six-year historic analysis is provided for these markets.The report profiles 119 companies including many key and niche players worldwide such as CETCO Lining Technologies Group, CONTECH Construction Products Inc., Emas Kiara Industries Berhad, Firestone Specialty Products Company, LLC, Propex Operating Company, LLC, Royal TenCate NV, Tenax Corporation, and Tensar International Corporation Inc. Market data and analytics are derived from primary and secondary research. Company profiles are mostly extracted from URL research and reported select online sources. Learn more here.;

Helmut Zanzinger and SKZ's renowned "Lifetime of Geosynthetics" events are taking to the road. Dr. Zanziger will chair a two-day session in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 22-23 October 2008. The second day will include a tour of an artificial lakes site. This will be the first offering of "Lifetime of Geosynthetics" in the Dubai and may lead to many more geosynthetics-oriented events there. Learn more here.;

Land & Water's Erosion and Sediment Control Network (ESCN.tv) is holding a "Roll With It" contest during the month of May. The contest runs on ESCN in conjunction with the airing of the Erosion Control Technology Council's (ECTC) instructional video on Dirt Time, a how-to show on for slopes, shorelines and channels. Weekly prizes will be awarded. Learn more here.;

According to CompositeWorld.com, "Clyvia Inc. (Point Roberts, Wash.) announced August 9 that its wholly owned subsidiary, Clyvia Technology GmbH successfully converted 3 metric tons (approximately 3.3 US tons) of plastics into 2,000 liters (approximately 528 US gal.) of diesel fuel." Learn more here.;

A cleanup plan for Olympic View Sanitary Landfill in South Kitsap has been completed, and the owner, Waste Management of Washington Inc., is preparing to move forward with further work on the 65-acre landfill. The upgrade is to include repairs to the plastic cover to reduce rainwater intrusion, to gas-extraction wells that capture landfill gases, and to the piping network that carries gases away from the landfill. In addition, the plan calls for the addition of new gas-extraction wells, continued monitoring of groundwater and soil gases, and ongoing "institutional controls," such as limiting access with fences, signs and legal notifications. Learn more here.;

The US Senate Appropriations Committee has approved a bill that will allocate $600,000 for erosion and sediment control in the Great Lakes Basin. Next up, the bill will go to the Senate floor for a vote. The three states to benefit from the plan are New York, Minnesota and Michigan. Learn more here.;

Special from the IFAI Bookstore: Advanced Landfill Liner Systems. Learn more here.;

From the Denver Post comes an interesting article about leaking CO2 pipes in Sand Canyon. The leaking gas condenses and forms dry ice around the aged, cracking pipeline within ancient Pueblo ruins. The corporation that manages the CO2 line has been making repairs gradually, but the degradation has outpaced them. Last year a holding pond was cleaned up and a new liner installed. A great deal more is needed. Learn more here.;

CETCO owner, AMCOL International Corp., has announced that its directors have declared a regular quarterly dividend of ten cents, payable Sept.13, 2005, to shareholders of record on Aug. 26, 2005.

The 2005 edition of the GFR Specifier's Guide will be published in December. The guide is a comprehensive project resource for companies whose civil and environmental work involves geosynthetic materials at some stage (e.g., slope stability, erosion control, canals and reservoirs, landfills). The Spec Guide connects 20,000 readers with 170 firms (manufacturers, installers, designers, test labs and QA/QC experts), and provides data on roughly 2000 products: geotextiles, geomembranes, geogrids, rolled erosion control products, geocells, geonets, sheet drains, prefabricated vertical drains, pavement edge drains, and geosynthetic clay liners. Subscribe online at the link below and receive the 2005 Specifier's Guide as part of your print subscription, as well as online access to the GFR archives (1999-present). Learn more here.;

In March 2001, J-P. Giroud was invited to give the 2005 Terzaghi Lecture organized every other year by the Technical University of Vienna, Austria. It is an exceptional honor, as it is one of the most prestigious lectures in the field of geotechnical engineering. In 2000, the geotechnical engineering community celebrated the 75th anniversary of the birth of geotechnical engineering (marked by the publication of the first book by Terzaghi in 1925). The celebration included the publication of a Jubilee Volume edited by Professor Brandl of the Technical University of Vienna. Three Past-Presidents of the IGS wrote chapters in this Jubilee Volume, R.J. Bathurst, R.K. Rowe, and J.P. Giroud. The 2005 Terzaghi Lecture will be presented at the opening of the Austrian Geotechnical Conference. This conference typically attracts 300-400 participants from about 20 countries. It will take place in Vienna on 21-22 February 2005. Details can be obtained soon from geosynthetica. The 2005 Terzaghi Lecture will take place on the opening day of the conference (21 February 2005). The title of the lecture will be: “Geosynthetics engineering: successes, failures and lessons learned”. The tentative synopsis is: First, Karl Terzaghi at Mission Dam (now called Terzaghi Dam), his first experience with a “geosynthetic”: a failure and a success. Then, failures and lessons learned. Examples selected to be of interest to large audience and to show the degree of sophistication in geosynthetics engineering. Tentatively: geomembrane cracking pattern, triumph of rational analysis; effect of differential settlement on geosynthetics and the concept of co-energy, original application of mechanics; influence of water on stability of geosynthetics systems, the defeat of common sense. Then, successes and lessons learned. Examples selected to be of interest to large audience. Tentatively: some applications of geosynthetics in dams, the durability of geosynthetics may be better than the durability of traditional materials; geotextile filters, a design success for geosynthetics engineering that could lead to technology transfer toward geotechnical engineering. This will end the lecture on a “terzaghian” note.

The Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO) was founded in 1984 with the ultimate goal of preventing catastrophic dam failures. Recognizing that one of the keys to achievement of this goals is the development of well-trained technical persons with an interest in one of the many scientific fields related to dam safety, ASDSO established its Dam Safety Scholarship Program in 1992. During the 2007-2008 academic year, up to $10,000 will be awarded to selected outstanding undergraduates based on the following qualifying criteria: U.S. citizenship; Full-time enrollment at the senior level during the 2007/2008 school year in an accredited civil engineering program, or in a related field as determined by ASDSO; Demonstrated interest in pursuing a career in hydraulics, hydrology or geotechnical disciplines, or in another discipline related to the design, construction and operation of dams; A cumulative grade point average of 2.5 for the first three years of college; The recommendation of his or her academic advisor; and; Submission of a typewritten essay on ASDSO and the importance of dam safety. Applications must be postmarked no later than March 30, 2007, and announcement of successful candidates will be made in June 2007. The application is available on the ASDSO Web site at the link below. Learn more here.;

Members of the International Association of Geosynthetic Installers (IAGI) recently voted for IAGI’s 2008-2009 Board of Directors. Candidates were nominated by the industry, and those elected will serve two-year terms on the IAGI Board of Directors. The members elected to the Board of Directors include: Carl Apicella, American Environmental; Brian McKeown, Clean Air and Water Systems; John Heap, Colorado Lining Systems; “Demo” Dave Mc Laury, Demtech Services Inc.; Todd Harman, Hallaton, Inc.; Steve Daniels, Geo-Synthetics, Inc.; Bill Shehane, Seaman Corporation; Nicky Araujo, Servicios de Ingenieria Geosintetica, S.A. Mr. Apicella will serve as President, Mr. McKeown will serve as 1st Vice President, Mr. Heap will serve as 2nd Vice President and Mr. McLaury will serve as Treasurer. Dennis O’Brien, MPC Containment, Inc., will continue to serve on the Board as Immediate Past President. The 2008-2009 IAGI Board of Directors will guide several exciting projects planned for the coming year, including increasing participation in the Certified Welding Technician (CWT) and the Approved Installation Contractor (AIC) programs. The IAGI Board of Directors will be in attendance at the 2008 GeoAmericas conference to be held March 2-5th in Cancun, Mexico. IAGI will host a General Assembly and a Training Lecture during the event. “Members of IAGI continue to grow and improve this industry,” Laurie Honnigford, IAGI managing director, said. “Companies are finding value in having their welders achieve CWT status, and AIC companies are setting the industry standard of professionalism. The new IAGI Board is committed to advancing the interests of the installers and will continue to respond with solutions for improvement, advancement and growth.” IAGI strives to provide a forum for geosynthetics installers to advance installation and construction techniques, and to strengthen the knowledge, image and communication within the industry. For more information about IAGI, contact Laurie Honnigford at +1-651-554-1895, e-mail laurie@honnigford.com or visit the website at the link below. Learn more here.;

How many times have you participated in a brainstorming session, only to be underwhelmed by the utter lack of follow up? Unfortunately, in most businesses, this is often the norm. Here's why…. Learn more here.;

3M announces it has signed a commercialization and supply agreement with TenCate Advanced Composites USA, Inc. that allows TenCate to purchase 3M™ Matrix Resin for the creation of customized products, bringing 3M's innovative technology to multiple new markets. TenCate Advanced Composites is a leading thermoset and thermoplastic prepreg supplier. Its prepregs are used in various markets, including but not limited to space, aerospace, marine, oil and gas, and infrastructure.