Special Series

Jean-Pierre Gourc is pleased to announce that the 43 papers presented at the International Workshop Hydro-Physico-Mechanics of Landfills in Grenoble, France are now available to "all the people belonging to our large scientific community." This Workshop provided an opportunity to gather experts (academics and professionals) from the fields of geomechanics but also hydraulics, bio-chemistry and physics to combine their skills and knowledge about landfills. The emphasis was on the correlation between the different properties for waste and landfill covers and the potential improvement of the landfill control , concept and design. More than 75 experts coming from ten different countries attended this Workshop. Learn more here.;

The D35 (05-01) Committee Ballot is now posted on the ASTM web site. To access the ballot, please go to the "continued" link below and login. This will give you access to your personalized 'My ASTM' page. The minutes, rosters and agendas (where available) are also posted in this area. The meeting schedule is available by selecting the "Meetings & Symposia" link on your personalized 'My ASTM' page approximately two months prior to the next meeting. The ballot will be open and available on the web from Apr 15, 2005 - May 16, 2006. All voting members are required to return ballots. Your ballot response is important to the committee in obtaining the required 60% return for a valid ballot. The return of ballots is a measure of a member's participation on a committee. It is critical that ASTM is notified of any changes to mailing and email addresses as soon as possible. This may be done by going to your 'My ASTM' page and selecting "Update your information". Alternatively, send corrections along with your member number to changes@astm.org or phone ASTM Customer Service at (610) 832- 9585 or fax at (610) 832-9555. Learn more here.;

Please make a note that Marilyn Ashley of GSI has changed her e-mail address. She can now be reached at mvashley@verizon.net.

The Halloran Twins were born to Danette and Mike on 12 April 2005 at 7:54 am , Alanna 7lb 4oz and Elizabeth 7lb 1.25oz each measured 20" in length. Everyone is healthy and happy!

Both the 8ICG in Yokohama, Japan, and the NAGS/GRI-19 joint conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, have extended their abstracts deadlines to April 30, 2005. Please note that the GeoShanghai International Conference deadline is today, April 15, 2005.

On April 5th, the American Excelsior opened a new distribution location in Raritan, New Jersey. The location warehouses and distributes the full-line of American Excelsior Company manufactured products, including Curlex(r) Excelsior Erosion Control Blankets, which are well known for their ability to reduce erosion and sediment run-off on residential and commercial construction projects. "We are very pleased to be opening up a new location to support a market that we have served for many years," states American Excelsior Company's ESD Director Jerry Bohannon. "This new location will bring a much better level of local support to the many customers we have in this area." The facility's local management team includes Justin Wilk, the Distribution Manager, supported by Jim Giumarra and Don Sheaffer, two area sales managers.

Matt Showan, Marketing Manager, will be leaving Maccaferri Inc. and joining Maccaferri Ltd (UK) as Sales and Marketing Manager for the UK and Ireland. He will be based in Oxford, England. Ghislain Brunet has been appointed Technical and Marketing Director for Maccaferri Inc. (USA).

With new grades for the first time since 2001, our nation's infrastructure has shown little to no improvement since receiving a collective D+ in 2001, with some areas sliding toward failing grades. How do geosynthetics factor into these grades? Geo features in all but two categories. It would seem that geosynthetics has a busy future ahead. For a picture detailing the grades for each category, please go to the "continued" link below.

On behalf of two clients I-CORP INTERNATIONAL is reactivating research into the use of infrared thermography for the nondestructive assessment of seam bond strength of 100% of geomembrane seams.

Peter Carey of P.J. Carey & Associates would like to know if any work has been done on the effect of temperature on direct shear performance between textured geomembranes and nonwoven geotextiles. Please respond to lara@eosynthetica.net if you can share information on this subject.

Mike Jeziorski has joined the company as National Sales Manager and Lee Pierce has been appointed Director of Market Development within its SI Geosolutions business unit. Mike was formerly the Sales Manager for Civil Engineering Fabrics, Furniture, Bedding, and Automotive Fabrics with Propex Fabrics (formerly BP Corporation, Amoco Fabrics and Fibers Company). He graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. In this role, Mike will be responsible for the management, promotion and selling of geotextiles and erosion control products to customers in North America. Mike will direct SI’s team of Regional Managers in their efforts to improve forecast accuracy, territory and account management, and training of distribution channels. Mike will report to Hugh McClain, VP/GM for the Construction Materials Group. Lee Pierce has been named Director of Market Development to allow SI Geosolutions to bring even more focus on the promotion of the company’s LANDLOK® and PYRAMAT® erosion control products. Lee’s intimate knowledge of market development through promotion and education will result in further growth of the market. Lee has been with SI for 10 years, most recently as National Sales Manager. “This exciting organizational change will allow Lee to align his core skills and competencies to optimize our growth opportunities around the strategic initiatives within this business, both domestically and internationally”, according to Mr. McClain. Reporting to Lee will be a team of Market Development Managers around the US. In this new role, Lee will continue to report to Hugh McClain.

SI Geosolutions hosted a Customer Appreciation Breakfast during GeoFrontiers 2005 to pay tribute to several outstanding distributors of its geotextiles and erosion control products from 2004. Each company was presented with a glass-carved trophy for their contributions to SI’s success. Contech Construction Products’ South Central Region was given the Project of the Year award for the second year in a row after promoting and selling numerous PYRAMAT® projects in San Antonio, Texas that were used to produce a documentary that was broadcast to a television audience of over 120 million people. Contech was also presented with the Turf Reinforcement Mat Partner of the Year award for growing their purchases with SI of these products by over 25 percent. Universal ECS from Alabama was recognized as the Erosion Control Blanket Partner of the Year for increasing their purchases of ECBs by over 50 percent. Geo-Synthetics, Inc. was awarded Storm Water Partner of the Year for its continued commitment to the promotion and growth of both the ECB and TRM market. The Business Partner of the Year award was presented to Carthage Mills. Carthage Mills and SI have been doing business together for over 25 years. Carthage grew their business in 2004 at record levels and is working hard to make geotextiles and erosion control product more readily available at the local level through a new distribution network.

The PVC Geomembrane Institute (PGI) and CETCO teamed up to offer a new short course titled “Constructing with GCLs and PVC Geomembranes” in Denver, Colorado and Cheyenne, Wyoming last week. The courses were “well attended with inquisitive audiences,” according to Tim Stark, lead instructor and Technical Director for PGI. With a combined attendance of more than 100 people, these short courses were a tremendous success. The attendees of this course had many positive comments. Some of the attendees stated that: “Presenters were very knowledgeable; comparisons between PVC liners and other liners were helpful”, and, “I found this extremely helpful to hear about the use of PVC geomembranes and GCLs”. Attendees also demonstrated why they are interested in such an informative course with comments like: “Great enthusiasm for the subject matter by all participants” and “Good overview of materials and their effectiveness.” The first course took place on March 7, 2005 in Denver, Colorado at the Denver Merchandise Mart. The second took place on March 8, 2005 in Cheyenne, Wyoming at the Little America Hotel. This course focused on how GCLs and PVC geomembranes can be used together as a composite liner. Attendees left this course with a broad knowledge of what is required to properly design, specify and construct liner and/or cover systems with GCLs and PVC geomembranes. The next course schedule is being planned at this time. If you are interested in offering this course in conjunction with your educational event, please contact PGI. For more information on future courses visit www.pvcgeomembrane.com. Founded in 1988 by a group of industry leaders, the PVC Geomembrane Institute (PGI) is dedicated to advancing the use of PVC Geomembranes through education and research as well as serving as an industry resource for PVC Geomembrane users. In 1998, PGI partnered with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) which led to the formation of the PGI Technology Program. PGI’s main office is located at UIUC.

TRI's CQC/CQA for Compacted Clay and GCL Liner Systems (Thurs., April 21st), CQC/CQA for Geosynthetic Liner Systems (Wed., April 20th) and TRI-CORP Liner Integrity Center's (T-CLIC) Liner Integrity Survey Accreditation (Fri. and Sat., April 22-23). Reserve your spots soon to take advantage of early registration discounts. Registration information for the CQC/CQAA courses can be found at the "continued" link below, and the Liner Integrity Survey Accreditation can be found by cutting and pasting this link into your browser: https://tri-environmental.com//images/pdf/LIS-Invitation%20-%20April2005.PDF Learn more here.;

IECA welcomes new Board Members Tom Williams (founding member of the Mountain States Chapter), Julie Etra (served two terms as the Western Chapter President), and Michael Chase (Professional Development Committee chairperson).

Citing the lack of funding for dam maintenance and rehabilitation, the increase in the number of high-hazard-potential dams, and inadequately funded and staffed state dam safety programs, the American Society of Civil Engineers has given a grade of ‘D’ to the nation’s dams. The Association of State Dam Safety Officials endorses the grade for dams, one of three infrastructure categories showing no improvement since the 2001 ASCE Report Card. While dams provide many benefits, they are inherently hazardous structures that deteriorate with age. ASDSO President Meg Galloway comments, “The aging of our nation’s dams calls for increasingly stringent attention to their safety. Deteriorating dams pose a threat not only to human life, but also to communities who rely on them for various needs, such as domestic water supply, hydroelectricity, irrigation, recreation, and more.” Despite the risks posed by dam failures, many state dam safety programs are inadequately funded and staffed, and one state—Alabama—has no dam safety program whatsoever. Dam safety programs are relatively low-cost, high-benefit programs. The costs of a single dam failure can easily exceed the annual budget for a state dam safety program. Referring to a 2003 dam failure in Michigan that caused an estimated $100 million in damages, Galloway notes, “Dam failures may be relatively rare, but the Silver Lake dam failure demonstrates the economic devastation that can result.” Specific recommendations supported by ASCE and ASDSO include the establishment of comprehensive and fully funded dam safety programs in all 50 states, a funding program in each state to assist with loans and matching grants for dam repair and rehabilitation, and reauthorization of the National Dam Safety Program Act in 2006. Galloway supports these recommendations and comments, “Hopefully, the ASCE Report Card will serve as a wake-up call to state and federal lawmakers and the public that we cannot continue to ignore this important piece of our nation's infrastructure.” The ASCE Report Card for America’s Infrastructure can be seen at thew link below. Learn more here.;

Low & Bonar announces the acquisition of the entire issued share capital of LCM Construction Products Ltd (trading as Adfil) for a consideration of up to £12.8 million in cash. Adfil is a specialist polypropylene fibre manufacturer whose principal activity is the production and supply of fibres for use as an additive to concrete in order to provide strength and enhanced resistance to surface cracking. Major projects where Adfil's products have been used include the new Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport and the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. In the year to 31 December 2003, Adfil reported sales of £9.6 million, profit before interest, tax and goodwill amortisation of £1.7 million and as at that date had net assets of £1.4 million. Profit before tax was £1.0 million. The acquisition will complement Low & Bonar's existing speciality fibres activities and is expected to make a positive contribution to earnings from the first year. The sellers of Adfil are private equity house Lloyds TSB Development Capital (LDC) and the existing management team. The management team will remain with the business.

Hanes Companies, Inc., a subsidiary of Fortune 500 manufacturer Leggett & Platt, Incorporated, has acquired WEBTEC, Inc. Established in 1981, WEBTEC is a marketer of geosynthetics. WEBTEC products include TerraTex geotextiles, TerraGrid geogrids, TerraCell geocells, TerraDrain composites, TerraGuard erosion and sediment control products, and related materials. WEBTEC, located in Charlotte, NC will be operated as a stand-alone business. All WEBTEC management has been retained. Hanes Companies is headquartered in Winston Salem, NC. Hanes is a converter and distributor of woven and non-woven textile products for industrial and technical markets.

Offered by Terrafix on 1 March 2005, 355 people attended the GE05 Geosynthetics Symposium at the Pearson Convention Centre where topics discussed were Landfill Design, Transportation, GeoPipes, Foundation Systems, and Hydraulic Engineering.

From Anastassios Kollios of Edafomichaniki in Greece come five case histories (in Greek and English).

Subscriptions are much cheaper if you subscribe through the GFR web site. A web subscription comes with a print subscription, so readers still get the paper copy, and access to six years of archives as well. Subscribers outside the United States currently pay between $65-100 per subscription, however, subscribing through the secure Web site costs only $49. Learn more here.;

As predicted, SI Geosolutions has received additional polypropylene resin price increases in January and February 2005. These raw material increases are due to continued instability in the global energy markets, increased resin and transportation costs, tight inventories and a strong export market. As a result, SI Geosolutions will implement a 12% price increase effective April 4, 2005 on all products. The price for polypropylene resin, the raw material used to produce SI’s Geotex® geotextiles, has increased by 143% over the past 36 months. According to Deron Austin, P.E., SI’s Director of Marketing, “There are four key factors impacting the continued escalation of polypropylene resin: (1) crude oil prices are close to $50 a barrel; (2) the demand in the US has increased 6.7% and exports are up 20.6%; (3) historically, there has been other, more profitable end-uses for propylene – the feedstock used to produce polypropylene resin; and (4) resin producers are currently operating at over 97% capacity.” All open orders with SI Geosolutions must ship in full on or before April 4, 2005 for pricing to remain valid. Any project quotation requested for expected delivery after April 4, 2005 will be quoted at the new price levels. “While we appreciate that increased costs present a challenge, we are very excited for 2005. The construction economy is strong and the demand for our products increases every day,” stated Hugh McClain, Vice President/General Manager of the company’s construction materials businesses.

TechFab India is three to four months away from producing TechGrid, a 5.1 m wide weft insertion warp knitted polyester geogrid with PVC coating, the first geogrid to be manufactured in India. At the same time, TechFab is rationalizing their line of woven geotextiles. More information will be forthcoming.

Gundle/SLT Environmental, Inc. (GSE) announced on Monday, February 21, 2005, the appointment of Kelvin R. Collard to the position of Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Collard succeeds Roger J. Klatt, who is retiring effective March 3, 2005 after serving as Executive Vice President and CFO of GSE since 1994. GSE's Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer congratulate Klatt on a successful career, thank him for his past leadership and many contributions to GSE, and wish him well in retirement. Prior to joining GSE, Collard served as CFO of the American Bureau of Shipping's for-profit subsidiary, ABS Group, since 2002. He previously served as CFO of Hydrochem Industrial Services following a 13-year career with Lyondell Chemical Company and Lyondell's former parent, Atlantic Richfield Company (ARCO). While at Lyondell, Collard first served as Vice President and Controller of Equistar, Lyondell's joint venture operating company, from 1997 to 1999. Following Lyondell's announced acquisition of ARCO's specialty chemical business, Collard was named Vice President-Controller of Lyondell and Equistar, where he served from 1999 to 2001. From 1994 to 1997 Collard was employed by ARCO where he served as Controller of ARCO's global Coal Division, Manager of Corporate Accounting Policy from 1992 to 1994, and Manager of Financial Reporting and Control of ARCO's Lyondell Division from 1989 to 1992. He began his career as a Staff Auditor with Coopers & Lybrand (C&L) in 1981, earning promotion to Senior Auditor in 1983 and Audit Manager in 1985 before leaving the firm to join ARCO in 1989. Collard earned his Bachelors in Business Administration degree in Accounting from Lamar University in 1980 and is a Certified Public Accountant. Collard is 47 years of age.

CALL TO THE GEO-COMMUNITY: In the newest issue of Better Roads magazine (Feb 2005, vol 75, issue 2) thirteen pages are dedicated to two articles titled Balancing Repairs with Prevention and Erosion Assaults on the Unpaved Road. Geosynthetics are mentioned briefly only twice! Clearly, we need to better educate road engineers at the grass roots level and increase the scope of geosynthetics use. A RESPONSE: Elizabeth and Lara, Your post regarding a lack of geosynthetic information in the recent Better Roads article is apt. Currently, GFR is compiling a couple roads articles built on responding to the information generally published about road design--e.g., proper drainage--but adding those solutions normally passed over--e.g., geosynthetic drainage products. Other materials and design strategies will be addressed too, such as paving fabric, geogrid reinforcement, soil consolidation, etc. The editors invite contributions from the field. Interested geosynthetica.net readers and underwriters should contact Christopher Kelsey at gfr@ifai.com, +1 651 225 6988. Participation is welcomed through March 15. - Christopher Kelsey, Editor GFR