Special Series

Netherlands-based Colbond Geosynthetics has obtained full BBA (British Board of Agrément) certification for its Enkagrid PRO welded geogrid. The product has been approved for use in highways, applications for roads and bridge embankments with slopes of up to 70° and provides lateral restraint to cohesive or frictional soils, with stability achieved by the interaction of the soil particles with the geogrid. Contact Joe Luna for more information (joe.luna@colbond.com). Learn more here.;

View the NAGS Final Conference Program for the Two Rivers Conference in Winnipeg, Canada. There are papers being presented in 5 concurrent sessions during the breakout sessions (papers from the three societies involved; NAGS, CGS and IAH), and 4 plenary keynote speakers which includes the Mercer Lecture being presented by Dr. Richard Bathurst.

Weesenstein Railroad Slope Stabilization Project by Naue. Due to the dramatic and devastating floods in 2002 approximately 80% of the infrastructure around Dresden, Germany was destroyed. The rail tracks of the Mueglitztalbahn (Mueglitz Valley Train) near Weesenstein was one of the destroyed connections. The floods had simply washed away the existing railway embankment and the connecting slopes.

ASTM has five geosynthetics-related Proficiency Testing Programs: Textiles; Polyethylene Plastics Testing; Plastics: Mechanical Properties Testing; Polypropylene Mechanical Properties Testing; and Flammability Plastics Testing Contact Helen Bucci at hbucci@astm.org or call (610) 832-9682 for more info.

I-CORP INTERNATIONAL has added acoustic equipment to its range of liner leak location technologies. This makes small leaks at steel batten strips on concrete structures and at metal pipe boots much easier locate. Leaks in liners under concrete slabs will also be possible to locate. This acoustic technology complements I-CORPS wide range of leak and flaw detection/location technologies: Conventional applied electric potential technology for water-covered, soil-covered, and exposed geomembrane liners; Streaming potential methodology for GCL- only liners; Infrared analyzer for rapid (>50 acres/day) landfill cap and digester floating cover surveys; Infrared thermography for 100% seam bond strength and internal flaw assessments (no holes cut in seams). Contact icorp@geosynthetic.com for further information. I-CORP is a geosynthetica.net charter underwriter.

Just added to geosynthetica.net, GRI's recently updated GM19 Seam Strength and Related Properties of Thermally Bonded Polyolefin Geomembranes is now available. GRI's revised GM13, GM17 and GM18 have also been updated in geosynthetica's database.

F.L.I. International Limited has purchased the assets and business of Solmax Geosynthetique SAS in France, a wholly owned subsidiary of Groupe Solmax. Inc. in Canada, and that the combined businesses will trade as F.L.I. Solmax France, which is the trading name for F.L.I. France SAS, a wholly owned subsidiary of F.L.I. International Limited. The deal was closed on 1 July 2003. Learn more here.;

Sam Allen, TRI and I recently gave a 4 hour workshop Geosynthetics in Water Management at the 6th International Symposium & Exhibition on Environmental Contamination in Central & Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States held in Prague. The workshop was sponsored by The Geosynthetics Materials Association (GMA) and was attended by 200 environmental professionals. In the workshop we addressed 1) Products and Functions 2) Applications 3) Design Considerations 4) Joining and CQA and 5) Testing and Resources. But the most interesting part of the workshop did not come from either Sam or me. The audience posed questions and revealed much more. Some of the questions/comments asked, "These are very interesting materials, why do we not know much more about them?", and " What is your industry doing to market them?!" It is clear we must do more to promote our technology to our potential end-users. After all, how can they use our materials if they are unaware of their existence?

A series of brochures is being developed by the Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) Water Management Task Group so that the following applications: Canal Liners; Reservoirs/Floating Covers; Irrigation Ponds; Decorative Ponds; and Recreation/Architecture will be introduced to government personnel on all levels of civil and environmental project decision-making and design. Contact Danette Halloran at dfhalloran@ifai.com for more information.

Dr. Shobha K. Bhatia, Professor at Syracuse University and NAGS Vice President, was awarded the International Network for Engineering Education & Research (iNEER) Recognition Award on July 23, 2003, in Valencia, Spain. This prestigious award is presented "For Excellence in Fostering Sustained and Unique Collaborations in International Research and Education." The iNEER award is given given to exceptional individuals who advance engineering education and research in regions around the world by working collaboratively with a networking community comprised of educators from academia, industry and government. These individuals elevate the quality of engineering education and the education experience for students who will become the engineers of the 21st century.

IECA Board of Directors Nomination Packet Applications now being accepted for the terms beginning in 2004. We have extended the deadline for our "Call For Board of Director Nominations." The new deadline for applications is Friday, September 12, 2003. IECA is looking for leaders…Are you ready? Three positions are available for the 2004 IECA Board of Directors. Now, more than ever, quality leaders are needed to direct the future of your Association. IECA's membership continues to grow and now includes more than 2800 members from 52 countries. Do you have the motivation, the vision, and the energy to help guide IECA to new horizons of opportunity and success? If so, you should submit your nomination for IECA's Board of Directors. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Jill Altman at Jill@ieca.org. Learn more here.;

Geosynthetica will be located at booth #14 at the 56th Annual Canadian Geotechnical Society Conference in Winnipeg, Man. from 9/28-10/1, 2003. Please come by and visit us.

Yet again, the geosynthetics community has been hit with an attack. Learn more about the So Big F Worm.

From Deron Austin, Market Manager for SI Geosolutions - “Overall, this has been a very challenging year for business. Transportation spending is down, state budgets have been trimmed and construction projects have slowed. This has occurred while insurance and raw material costs in our industry have skyrocketed. As a result, companies are not meeting their profit objectives. These negative trends have affected our industry and our company, resulting in the reduction and realignment of current resources at SI Corporation. Unfortunately, we have eliminated several positions within our division – SI Geosolutions – that includes people highly valued by our customers, SI and the industry. SI Corporation is a profitable company. As a matter of fact, our cash flow is the strongest it has been since our founding in 1969. While change is difficult for any company, change in these economic times makes it even more challenging. However, SI is determined to emerge from this situation stronger than ever. We are committed to the geosynthetics and erosion control industries and hope you appreciate our proactive communication on this issue. We will do everything possible to assure an effective transition of responsibilities to support our customers and the industry.”

GSI's fall short courses all occur in the month of November: Walls/Slopes (6th); Transportation (7th); Waste Containment (13th); and QC/QA (14th). Contact Marilyn Ashley for more information. Learn more here.;

A task force is currently working on the Standard Guide for Design and Construction of Geotechnical Projects Incorporating RCPS Geofoam. Learn more here.;

For those looking for more information on geofoam, visit http://www.epsmolders.org, http://www.geofoam.syr.edu, or http://www.geofoam.org

Revision of Standard D6768-03 Test Method for Tensile Strength of Geosynthetic Clay Liners Learn more here.;

GTI, in New Brunswick, Canada, has developed a new retractable cover system for tanks and basins. The cover is a low-profile arch system and can be rolled up along the frame. The frames can be taken out without requiring any outside equipment for complete access to the tank.

Naue has now published a virtual visit through their laboratory in Tonisberg. Enjoy a visit of the test rooms and have a look at a selection of tests carried out by Naue's staff members. Go to the Products portion of their website and click on "Quality Assurance and Control" on the left navigation bar. Learn more here.;

During a recent trip to Europe we heard that HDPE is being designed to line oil storage tanks. Ian D. Peggs of I-CORP INTERNATIONAL cautions that this is not an appropriate use of HDPE without a fluorine surface treatment or without incorporation in a multilayer composite liner.

Stevens Geomembranes names a new geosynthetics sales manager, Tom Gallivan. Long-time member of the geosynthetics community and Mr. Gallivan's predecessor, Vince McPartland has been promoted to a Vice Presidential position with Stevens Industrial Fabrics. Our congratulations go out to Tom and Vince!

The company has introduced a polyester film with thermal adhesives for thermal bonding to nonwovens. Melinex 301H is a clear, thermally stable polyester film with a thermal adhesive on one side for thermal laminating to nonwovens with polyester, glass and natural fibers.

The June issue of the IGS Thailand newsletter includes conference announcements, a special report on MARV from GFR, and information on membership application. As of yet, there is no chapter website, but Dennes T. Bergado, of the Asian Center for Soil Improvement and Geosynthetics (ACSIG) at the Asian Institute of Technology is the secretariat of the chapter. The website of ACSIG is www.sce.ait.ac.th/acsig and his is Email: acsig@ait.ac.th or bergado@ait.ac.th

On Wednesday last week John Prescott announced the first phase of a massive government house building scheme in the south east of England. Based around five strategic sites in the Thames Gateway area, one of the aims of the scheme is to take advantage of 3000 hectares of "brownfield" sites - ex-industrial land. The announcement re-affirms building on brownfield sites as a vital topic for the UK construction and engineering industries.