Transportation

Ecopetrol, one of the principal petroleum companies in Latin America, has been expanding its reach deeper into the forests of Colombia. Drilling exploratory wells in remote locations such as the Putumayo basin concurs with a very aggressive growth strategy. The area around Orito is an extremely dense, undulating forest with poor soils and wet subgrades, nearly impossible to drive through without proper access. In this case study, Geo Products shows how access was made possible with the support of a cellular confinement system. Learn more here.;

Geocellular confinement systems come in a variety of cell sizes and cell depths, which are used to fulfill the specific needs of applications. Factors such as soil strength, expected applied loads, and surface type are all important to understand to properly specify the right cellular confinement product. Geo Products' EnviroGrid line is manufactured in a range of sizes, depths and strengths to meet these application and site-specific challenges. For example, for applications with concentrated loads at specific points, such as vehicle-supporting applications, smaller cell sizes are generally desired to ensure proper weight distribution. For erosion control or earth retention, larger cell sizes may be used given various factors such as slope geometry and confinement requirements. View our EnviroGrid specifications online and contact us with questions on gettingn the right product for your site. Learn more here.;

In-Line Plastics is proud to provide extensive expertise in the geomembrane sector, with manufacturing and large-panel fabrication services housed within a single company. Furthermore, we are located in Houston, Texas--the heart of the polyethylene manufacturing industry and directly accessible to the Port of Houston. Learn more about our capabilities and experience via our website or contact us directly. Learn more here.;

As we approach the opening of EuroGeo 5--the Fifth European Regional Conference on Geosynthetics--Germany-based HUESKER Group has announced a new organizational structure. Implemented in July in conjunction with the company's celebration of its 150th anniversary, the new strategy combines the continuance of its well-established customer support services and product lines with a drive towards innovation and high-quality, customized solutions.

SynTec now offers Type 1 and Type 2 biaxial geogrids in 16ft wide rolls. The wider rolls reduce shipping costs, minimize waste lost to overlaps and reduce construction time. The new wider rolls will be standard stock for SynTec and are readily available now. SynTec biaxial geogrids are produced in the USA and offered throughout North and South America.

SynTec, LLC, manufacture of state of the art geosynthetic products, announced the release of ROADWORX® a design software for unpaved and paved roads using SynTec's biaxial polypropylene geogrids. ROADWORX® provides reliable and proven design methods to calculate layer thicknesses for paved and unpaved roads. A comprehensive cost calculator lets the user compare and identify the most economical solutions. The release of ROADWORX® is a part of SynTec’s ongoing commitment to product evolution, innovation, and support. The resulting version comes from a combination of industry guidelines and feedback from geosynthetic experts, designers and end-users of biaxial geogrids.

The International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) Indian Chapter (IGS India) has announced the publication of Volume 1, Issue 2 of the Indian Journal of Geosynthetics and Ground Improvement. This issue includes articles on "Comparative Study on the Performance of Piled Embankments with and without the Geosynthetic Reinforcement," "Evaluation of the Performance of Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil Walls Using a Geocentrifuge," and "A Case Study on the Use of Coir Geotextiles for Stabilizing a Steep Slope." Additionally, updates on forthcoming events and opportunities are included. The journal is distributed for free to IGS members, who also enjoy full access electronically to other international journals on geosynthetics. Join today. Learn more here.;

Geofabrics Australasia has announced the publication of the August 2012 issue of Geofabrics Journal. This issue includes a note about the differences between index and performance tests, the advantages of powdered bentonite versus granular, news of new premises in Adelaide, and a Tasmanian riverbank erosion control project that has utilized sand-filled geocontainers extensively (and to great success). Read the issue here.

Huesker has released a new image brochure. Get a copy here (PDF).

3M introduces 3M™ Geotextile Seaming Cylinder Spray Adhesive, a new method for seaming geotextile fabrics for uses including, but not limited to, erosion control, soil separation and subgrade stabilization applications. The adhesive is an extremely versatile, fast-tacking construction-grade spray adhesive with a unique wide-web spray pattern, ideal for bonding geotextile fabrics. With this innovative solution, installers of geotextile fabric can see time-savings of more than 56 percent compared to sewing.

IRF once more broke ground by gathering over 600 regional transportation officials for the world's first comprehensive review of sustainable transportation solutions in the context of the Andean Region. Lima, Peru, an important regional crossroads for trade and a hub for engineering know-how offered an ideal backdrop for the Congress.

From traditional bitumen membranes in roofing, in use for thousands of years and recorded in the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, to the latest single ply synthetic materials, waterproof membranes have enabled dramatic changes in infrastructure and civil engineering. Water reservoirs, dams, landfill and road tunnels are key applications of geosynthetics. On roofs, there are many green projects underway from gardens to solar reflectors to power generation, all supported by appropriate sealing structures. The Waterproof Membranes industry is gathering at the annual AMI international conference from 11–13 December 2012 at the Hotel Nikko, Düsseldorf, Germany. The markets will be reviewed along with the latest technology.

Titan Environmental Containment Ltd (www.titanenviro.ca) is proud to announce the appointment of geosynthetics industry veteran Sam Bhat, M. Eng, as VP Global Business Development and Chief Technology Officer – Geosynthetics. Sam has a specialized interdisciplinary engineering and management background and has served the global geosynthetics market for the past 22 years, having worked with some of the world’s leading geogrid organizations in the UK, USA and Canada.

GRS bridge abutments have been typically produced savings of more than 25% versus traditional designs and are much faster to construct. Here in Part 1 of 2, Gordon Keller discusses the development and benefits of the GRS bridge abutment approach. In Part 2, he focuses on case studies.

Here in Part 2 of 2, Gordon Keller looks at multiple case studies of GRS designs. In Part 1, he focused on design and benefits. GRS bridge abutments have been typically produced savings of more than 25% versus traditional designs and are much faster to construct.

Tensar International has announced that its high-density polyethylene (HDPE) Uniaxial (UX) Geogrid product line successfully completed the National Transportation Product Evaluation Program (NTPEP) on-site audit. As the on-site audit was added just last year to the program, Tensar's UX Geogrids are the first HDPE geogrids to pass the rigorous evaluation. Learn more.

University of Kansas School of Engineering Ph.D. student Ryan Corey, one the Geosynthetic Institute's fellowship recipients, is conducting research regarding geosynthetic reinforcement over buried pipelines. Improving the safety of pipelines is a significant infrastructure need. More than 350 deaths, 1500 injuries, and $5 billion+ in property damage has been linked to pipeline problems in the past 20 years. Professor Jie Han is the advisor for Corey's work. Learn more here.;

The International Road Federation's (IRF) annual "Preserving Our Highway Infrastructure Assets" seminar is an international event that brings engineering and construction leaders and key government stakeholders together. Experts from all levels of government and private industry, engineers, contractors, equipment manufacturers and others gather to discuss cutting-edge technologies, design and maintenance strategies, case studies, and more regarding how transportation infrastructures can be strengthened. The event will be held at the Miami Beach Holiday Inn in Miami, Florida, 11–13 September 2012.

On August 22, CETCO will hold its next "GCL University" session in Southern California. This day-long geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) seminar will be held at the Costa Mesa Marriott and will focus on methodologies for the practical inclusion of GCLs in the design of landfill cells and caps, mining, coal combustion residual sites and other industrial applications. Expert speakers include Dr. Ed Kavazanjian, Rick Thiel, P.E., Chris Athanassopoulos, P.E., and Joanne Lee. Register online.

On August 22, CETCO will hold its next "GCL University" session in Southern California. This day-long geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) seminar will be held at the Costa Mesa Marriott and will focus on methodologies for the practical inclusion of GCLs in the design of landfill cells and caps, mining, coal combustion residual sites and other industrial applications. Expert speakers include Dr. Ed Kavazanjian, Rick Thiel, P.E., Chris Athanassopoulos, P.E., and Joanne Lee. Register online. Learn more here.;

Strata is proud to be part of Glen Raven, a company that counts environmental stewardship among its six core values. Whether through recycling or reducing energy consumption, or modifying the materials utilized in its products, Glen Raven is committed to limiting its carbon footprint, and protecting the environment at every level. Three of Glen Raven's North American plants have been certified "landfill-free", recycling or reusing everything from polyester and nylon fibers to packaging and waste products. Even food scraps from the company cafeterias feed local farm animals and wildlife. By the end of 2012, all six of the company's North American plants will be landfill-free. Read more.

A proposed new ASTM International standard will provide guidance for the installation and use of factory fabricated geomembrane panels at job sites. ASTM WK38128, Guide for Identification, Packaging, Handling, Storage and Deployment of Fabricated Geomembrane Panels, is being developed by Subcommittee D35.10 on Geomembranes, part of ASTM International Committee D35 on Geosynthetics. Factory fabricated geomembranes that require less on-site installation work are becoming more prominent, but contractors, owners and site engineers are not always familiar with them.

Tensar Corporation has announced the sale of its Tensar Polytechnologies Inc. (TPI) assets and business to Conwed Plastics, LLC for an undisclosed amount. TPI manufactures and distributes Light Weight Oriented Net (LWON), which is used in the manufacturing of erosion control blankets, carpet padding and numerous other industrial products. "This sale will enable Tensar to focus our U.S. production capacity on our more strategic and rapidly growing geogrid business," stated Don Meltzer, President and CEO of Tensar.

SKZ's Geosynthetics Middle East conference series continues with this year's event scheduled to take place in 19–20 November 2012 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi has been announced as the venue, and once again the conference will be held under the patronage of the Municipality of Abu Dhabi City. The international speakers, forward-looking issues, and strong UAE support have helped establish this event quickly as the leading event on geosynthetics in the Middle East. The call for papers has now been issued. Abstracts are invited through 20 August 2012. Read about the THEMES here.

The Geosynthetics Interest Group of South Africa (GIGSA), a chapter of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS), has released its July 2012 e-newsletter. GIGSA's newsletters are always full of useful content for and from the field, and this newsletter is no exception. In it, we learn of Gundle Geosynthetics' expansion in the marketplace, a note on the new GIGSA website, geotextile growth in China, three short course offerings on filtration and drainage in November, a case study on the N6 rehab, and much more. Read it today in PDF.