Special Series

Due to an international hacking attack on Cisco routers, gsa.net servers were unavailable Thursday, July 31st through Saturday, August 2nd. Any requests or information within that time may not have been received. Geosynthetica asks for any correspondence to be resent. We regret any inconvenience that this may have caused.

A report from Robert Mackey on the Second Symposium on Geosynthetic Clay Liners, Sponsored by ASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics, June 20, 2003, Denver Colorado, USA.

Article: Landfill Proposal Draws Ire, written by Betsy Gilliland, staff writer with the DailyLocal.com. Learn more here.;

Five bulletins on IGS Peru's activities: 1) On May of the last year, we made 1st Course of Geosynthetic for Professors of Technology of Materials, with the sponsor of Maccaferri of Peru. The objective was to promote the education of geosynthetics at the universities of Peru. For such aim we invited with all the expenses paid to 10 professors of universities of provinces and 5 of Lima, to a course of two days in Miraflores Hotel. Mr. Jaime Durán from Brasil developed an Overview of Geosynthetics. At the end of the course we gave to assistants, a CD with the presentation and we ask them to install it in the machines of the Centers of Students and School of Engineers of each locality. One of the universities of Lima, has incorporated the course of Design with Geosynthetics to currícula of the pre degree studies. 2) In November 2002 we carried out 1st Specialization Course in Geosynthetics: An Overview of Geosynthetics, for that we were sponsored by Maccaferri of Peru, Tecnología de Materiales, Cidelsa, and SL of Chile. Also it was made in two days and we gave to the participants the authorized translation to Spanish of the chapter 1 of Dr. Robert Koerner's book "Design with Geosynthetics", as well as a CD with the presentations of Mauricio Ossa (Chile), Néstor Sifuentes (Peru), Augusto Alza (Peru) and Enrique Alvarez (Mexico). 3) Last May we made 2nd Specialization Course in Geosynthetics: Design with Geotextiles, for which we were sponsored by Amanco, Geotecnia & Pavimentos and Tecnología de Materiales. Also it was made in two days and we gave to the participants the authorized translation to the Spanish of chapter 2 of Dr. Robert Koerner's book, as well as a CD with the presentations of Javier Calderón (Colombia) and Néstor Sifuentes (Peru). 4) Our Geogrids Committee is preparing the 3rd Specialization Course in Geosynthetics: Design with Geogrids, which we are going to carry out in September 5th and 6th. All information about this Course are in our web site: http://www.igsperu.org/eventos_nacionales.htm. Next year (April) we will carry out the 5th Specialization Course in Geosynthetics: Design with Geo-others, with which we closed this cycle. 5) In August 2004, we are going to carry out our 1st National Conference on Geosynthetics. Learn more here.;

IFAI is seeking a new Market Research Manager. Aspects of the job include drafting short analyses of markets within the industry, assisting members in their market research needs, and helping the association track trends and markets in the industry. The position will be located at IFAI headquarters in Roseville, Minnesota. For more information, please contact Pam Egan-Blahna or Todd Lindemann at 651/222-2508 or 800/225-4324.

ASTM D5870 - Standard Practice for Calculating Property Retention Index of Plastics has been reapproved and is now available as D5870-95(2003) Learn more here.;

We are a reputed company dealing in purchase and sale of used textile machinery. We have supplied several textile equipment to India, Pakistan and Africa. We are constantly looking to purchase surplus equipment throughout the world. Our offices in USA and India assure prompt customer service and smooth completion of the deal. We purchase all types of used textile equipment including Spinning, weaving and finishing machines. We are looking for the following used weaving machines: 1) Sulzer TW11, PU, P7100 in working widths of 85", 141", 153" with Cam or Dobby 2) Sulzer PU 130" with 1,2 or 4 colours with Cam or Dobby 3) Dornier GTN model looms with mechanical dobby in 190cms 4) Dornier HTV model looms in 190cm - 360cms with Electronic Jacquard and Electronic Dobby 5) Picanol GTM, GTMAS, GAMMA model looms with Dobby 6) Somet Super excel model looms in 190cms - 230cms. We are looking for the following used processing machines: 1) Calendering 120 " width - 5 bowls 1.nos 2) Stenter 120 " width - 5 chamber 2.nos 3) J.T - 10 120 " width 2.nos 4) Jumbo Jigger - 120 " width 2.nos. 5) Finishing Equipment. We are looking for the following used spinning machines: 1) Rieter Spinning Machines 2) Trutzschler Opening Line 3) Trutzschler Carding Machines/Rieter Carding machines 4) Autoconers 5) Autocoros / Open End machines. Please also fax/email us list of surplus equipment that may be available for sale. If you have an enquiry for used machines feel free to contact us. Also, if you have any surplus equipment not mentioned above please feel free to offer us. Our email : sharanyamrkt@eth.net our fax number in India +91 422 2316839.

CEN TC189 has almost completed "Geosynthetic Barriers - Determination of Permeability to Liquids". It is applicable to geomembranes but not to GCLs. Water, or any other relevant liquid, is maintained at two different pressures on each side of a geomembrane sample - 150 kPa upstream ands 50 kPa downstream. Flow through the geomembrane is measured by upstream and downstream volume changes. For a figure showing the typical volume/time curves, click the red "continued" link below. The method is valid for flow rates down to 10(-6) m3/m2.d. Lower values are simply reported as <10(-6) m3/m2.d. The standard has just been submitted for CEN Enquiry.

W. CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., 28 July 2003-ASTM International, one of the largest international voluntary standards development organizations in the world, has announced the launch of a new Internet-based system designed to initiate, develop and track draft standards and revisions before and during their balloting stage. Increased Transparency in Standards Development Process: The new Work Item Registration system, which is accessible from the ASTM website, is significant because it adds increased openness and transparency to ASTM's consensus standards development process. Now, any interested individual from anywhere in the world who wants to know whether ASTM is developing or revising a specific standard can access the information using the Work Item Registration system. Users will be able to utilize the system to perform keyword searches about new standards and revisions; sign up for a free e-mail advisory service that provides notification of new work items in their area of interest; and view a committee's jurisdiction for the item in question. The new system also provides for improved access and involvement for ASTM members around the globe at every stage of the standards development process. With easy access to work items in progress, ASTM members everywhere have added impact on standards development. The system also adds a new level of productivity for members, enabling them to register work items and develop streamlined ballot items for standards, more conveniently than in the past. ASTM International President James A. Thomas commented, "Transparency in the standards development process has always been one of the guiding principles at ASTM. With the launch of our Work Item Registration system we have taken transparency to an even higher level." Thomas continued, "The added openness, available to everybody, contributes to a better understanding of the work being performed by ASTM members. This attracts more interested parties and increases international application of ASTM standards." ASTM's Work Item Registration system is available at the Society's website, www.astm.org. For more information, please contact Barbara Schindler at 610/832-9603 or via e-mail at bschindl@astm.org. About ASTM International: Established in 1898, ASTM International provides a global forum for the development and publication of international voluntary consensus standards for materials, products, systems, and services. ASTM standards are accepted and used in research and development, product testing, quality systems, and commercial transactions around the globe. Press Contact: Barbara Schindler 610/832-9603; bschindl@astm.org

W. CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa., 28 July 2003-Beginning January 1, 2004, original research findings and technical articles will have a home in the Journal of ASTM International (JAI). JAI provides the international scientific and engineering community a new opportunity for online peer review. Coupled with ASTM's publishing experience and advanced document delivery process, JAI promises to become well read, referenced, and respected. Leading the editorial process of the journal is Sheldon W. Dean, Ph.D., President of Dean Corrosion Technology, Inc. He has gained worldwide recognition for his publications in corrosion testing and standardization and his contribution to the development of voluntary consensus standards. Dr. Dean explains, "JAI is a 21st Century concept that will allow researchers to publish their results more rapidly in a prestigious journal. Its scope will cover the entire range of ASTM International's technical interests. JAI will offer all of the publication options found in other journals including research papers, technical review papers, technical notes and discussions." Along with Dr. Dean, seven associate editors will represent various technical areas. These editorial sections will address: 1) Materials Performance and Characterization 2) Nuclear Science and Technology 3) Civil Engineering and Building Materials 4) Petroleum and Chemical Engineering 5) Environmental Science and Technology 6) General Methods and Instrumentation 7) Medical, Health, and Safety. These topics coincide with the science and research that establish the foundation for standards development within ASTM International. The journal will contain qualifying, solicited and unsolicited technical papers as well as qualified papers presented at ASTM symposia and workshops. Authors who publish in JAI will benefit from: 1) Rapid online publication as soon as papers are peer-reviewed and edited 2) The opportunity to be cited by major abstracting and indexing services 3) A well-respected, credible peer-review process that will ensure quality content 4) Broad online access to and awareness of technical work in a prestigious venue 5) Annual archival CD-ROMs that preserve and document all issues of JAI 6) The ability to publish frequently through 10 issues a year. With an online journal, convenient and thorough search capabilities are offered through ASTM's advanced website, ensuring broad distribution and awareness. Electronic access is available for individual subscriptions (via password) and institutional subscriptions (via IP address). All papers will be available in PDF format and can be individually downloaded. Instructions for submitting papers as well as criteria for publishing in the Journal of ASTM International are available at www.astm.org/JAI or by contacting Roberta Storer, ASTM, phone 610/832-9637; fax 610/832-9635; e-mail restorer@astm.org; or Christina Painton, ASTM, phone 610/832-9658; fax 610/832-9635; e-mail cpainton@astm.org. Established in 1898, ASTM International is one of the largest standards development and delivery systems in the world. ASTM standards are accepted and used in research and development, product testing, quality systems, and commercial transactions around the globe. Press Contact: Barbara Schindler 610/832-9603; bschindl@astm.org Learn more here.;

FoSSA (2.0) will be released August 4, 2003. FoSSA is an interactive program for assessing stresses and settlements under embankment. ADAMA Engineering had developed the copyrighted program FoSSA Version 1.0 (released July 14) for the US Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Version 1.0 has been designated exclusively for use by US State Highway Agencies and by US Federal agencies. ADAMA Engineering offers version 2.0 to the public. Within the foundation soil, FoSSA calculates the stress distribution under embankment having complex geometry, the elastic (immediate) settlement, the consolidation settlement (including isochrones: excess porewater pressure and settlement during the consolidation process), accelerated consolidation settlement due to PVD’s (triangular and square installation patterns), secondary settlement, and undrained shear strength distribution within consolidating layers. It can deal with up to 50 soil layers in the foundation (consolidating or not) and up to 25 layers comprising the embankment (e.g., representing alternating layers of geofoam and soil). It is ideal for staged construction calculations. Stress distribution is based on numerical integration of the basic Boussinesq equation (therefore allows for various embankment geometries). Elastic settlement is based on numerical integration of Hooke’s equations. Consolidation settlement (1-D) solves Terzaghi’s differential equation using a finite difference scheme. PVD’s design follows: “Prefabricated Vertical Drains, Vol. I: Engineering Guidelines,” by Rixner, Kraemer, and Smith, Haley & Aldrich, FHWA report FHWA/RD-86/168, September 1986, Contract No. DTFH61-83-C-00101 (basically, it is a practical modification of Barron’s solution developed for vertical sand drains). The undrained shear strength calculations during consolidation follows: “Stability Evaluation during Staged Construction,” by Ladd, Journal of Geotechnical Engineering, ASCE, 1991, Vol. 117, No. 4, pp. 540-615. Learn more here.;

Beginning July 22, a quarterly newsletter will be available to GMA members. The newsletter will provide updates on GMA activities and other industry news. The newsletter, approved meeting minutes and meeting agendas will be accessible to GMA members via the GMA members content button on the www.gmanow.com revised site.

The newsletter (.pdf) features include: Separation: An Interesting New Technique; A Technical Note From Kelvin Legge; Australasian Technology Exchange; Geotextiles as Filters: Why Do They Work?; Designing with Geosynthetic Clay Liners; and a list of upcoming events.

Testing is currently underway at PGI (PVC Geomembrane Institute). They are studying the puncture resistance of flexible and rigid geomembranes as well as the chemical resistance of PVC geomembranes. For more information, contact PGI.

According to the directive issued by Shanghai Municipal Government on 23 April 2003 regarding the prevention on spreading of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), the staging of The 10th International Exhibition on Textile Industry and Shanghai International Techtextiles, Nonwovens, and Machinery Exhibition on 2 - 5 June 2003 in Shanghai New International Expo Center, together with other related activities including symposiums and technical seminars, will be postponed to 10 - 13 December 2003 in the same venue. Learn more here.;

Chime Spark International Company are manufacturers and exporters of PP woven silt fence fabric with trading offices in Taiwan. Please contact Tina at chime.spark@msa.hinet.net

The outstanding group of nominees have been proposed by the IFAI Nominating Committee for the Board of Director positions available in October 2003. The Nominating Committee met June 19th and selected the following: Chairman of the Board - George K. Ochs, Eide Industries, Cerritos, CA (2-year term). 1st Vice Chairman/Treasurer - Jeffery W. Kirk, IFM, The Astrup Co., Cleveland, OH (2-year term). 2nd Vice Chairman - Scott C. Cambell, Ranier Industries Ltd., Tukwila, WA (2-year term). Directors - William R. Truog, Duracote Corp., Ravenna, OH (3-year term) and Joseph Luna, Colbond Geosynthetics (a gsa underwriter), Enka, NC (3-year term). The Nominating Committee carefully reviewed the qualificatins of all candidates who applied for the positions. Every attempt was made to select individuals who can provide a spectrum of representation on the board, including geographic location, size of company, types of products or services, and experience in association or business management issue. An opportunity is available through the IFAI Bylaws for additional candidates to be considered by the membership. Independent nominations must be in writing, addressed to Stephen M. Warner (President), and received at IFAI headquarters in Roseville no later than the close of business day on August 15. The letter must be accompanied by a petition or letter of support signed by at least fifty (50) Active and/or Associate members in good standing. If no nominations are received by August 15, a unanimous vote will be placed for the slate of candidates proposed by the Nominating Committee. If, however, independent candidates are proposed and meet th equalifications, a mail ballot will be sent out on August 18 to all voting members.

The July 2003 issue (.pdf) includes the IGS Call for Candidates, the Call for IGS Award Nominations, the IGS Student Awards, as well as conference updates for NAGS, EuroGeo3, and GeoAsia 2004. The 27th CEN/TC 189 Meeting Report and a synopsis of the International Conference on Fast Slope Movements rounds up the issue.

Bob Phaneuf has been supervising the Western Hazardous Waste Engineering Section within the Division of Solid & Hazardous Materials since April 2003. Bob will assist the Division with any upcoming Part 360 rule-making/revision efforts - specifically with respect to Subpart 360-2 Landfills, bioreactor landfill concepts, CQC and CQA matters and any other landfill related requirements of Part 360. He also continues to provide technical support to the Division’s Solid Waste Program staff along with his new duties. Scott Menrath has taken over Bob's old duties in the Division's Solid Waste Program.

The 2003 catalogue, issued as Volume 3 of the DIN Catalogue of Technical Rules, lists published English translations of DIN (German) standards, DIN EN standards and DIN ISO standards (some 13,300 - an increase of 1,100 over last year), as well as typescript translations in English, French and Spanish. Learn more here.;

Cetco has recently updated their GCL installation guidelines. The document (.pdf) provides procedures for the installation of Cetco's GCLs in a manner that maximizes safety, efficiency, and the physical integrity of the GCL.

WestPoint Stevens, an Atlanta-based company that was established as a result of the acquisition of J.P. Stevens & Co. by WestPoint Pepperell back in the late 1980s, filed for Chapter 11 protection earlier this week. Stevens Geomembranes is a business unit of JPS Elastomers, a division of JPS Industries, Inc., of Greenville, S.C. (NASDAQ/NM:JPST). They want to assure the public that they have nothing to do with WestPoint Stevens. "We are still known in some quarters as 'J.P. Stevens', despite our efforts over the past years to re-brand the company as Stevens Geomembranes. To emphasize, we want to make it very clear that neither Stevens Geomembranes, nor JPS Elastomerics is in any way affiliated with, or connected with WestPoint Stevens and this filing." A press release issued by JPS Industries is posted on their Web site at www.stevensroofing.com in the "Press Room." Learn more here.;

Carlisle Syntec Incorporated introduces their new GeoMembrane product line. Consisting of a fusion-weldable polyester reinforced sheet, Carlisle's polypropylene GeoMembrane line includes GeoMembrane liner, GeoCover™, GeoFlashing™, and GeoRod™. For more information, please contact Mari Killian at mkillian@syntec.carlisle.com

Get a step-by-step overview of how to determine the tensile properties of unreinforced and reinforced plastics using ASTM D638, Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics. The on-line tutorial is part of the new ASTM International University—a web-based training site on the use and application of ASTM standards. Learn more here.;

A report, published by David Rigby Associates, called 150 End-Use Products in Technical Textiles and Nonwovens: World Market Forecasts to 2010, predicts that geotextiles will show the most rapid growth - 5% a year up to 2010. Learn more here.;