Transportation

The International Erosion Control Association (IECA) has announced that Barry Fagan, PE/PLS, CPESC, is being recognized with the 2012 Presenter of the Year Award for the second consecutive year. This award recognizes an outstanding presenter who demonstrates excellence in presentation skills, educational delivery and content preparation. The winner is determined through the review of presenter evaluations received at IECA's annual conference and expo.

On Wednesday, 23 May 2012, at 2:00 pm EDT, Maccaferri will host a free instructional webinar on MSE Wall Design & Installation. This presentation, with Q & A time allotted, will offer a non-credit 0.15 CEU certificate to participants. Key topics include: Wall and reinforced soil slope (RSS) components and design details; Code of practice and method of design for MSE walls; Design difference between MSE walls and RSS; and Installation of MSE walls and RSS. Learn more.

Maccaferri was awarded "International Project of the Year" on Friday, May 4th at the Ground Engineering Awards, held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London. The awards, hosted by actor and presenter Robert Llewellyn, were presented at the Grosvenor House Hotel, on London's Park Lane. The award recognized the reinforcement work utilized on the construction of a new airport at Pakyong in the Himalayan state of Sikkim in North East India. Design of the slope used BS8006 for static design and FHWA (AASHTO) methodologies for the seismic design. Maccaferri's reinforcement technologies were used for this extraordinary design, which involves wall heights up to 74m and along 1480m. Read more.

A description of the design and construction of the new airport extension in Pakyong, Sikkim, India. Maccaferri reinforcement geosynthetic technologies were utilized to create wall heights up to 74m and along 1480m. The project earned a "International Project of the Year" award at the May 2012 Ground Engineering Awards in London. Read more.

Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (ADS),the world's largest manufacturer of corrugated plastic pipe, today announced plans to open a new manufacturing facility in Watertown, South Dakota. The new plant will be fully operational by late summer 2012. The new Watertown plant is part of ADS' $10 million capital investment announced last August to add significant pipe production capacity to the region.

Raven Industries, a leading manufacturer of technologically superior blown and cast films is looking for a dynamic leader to help expand material and product development efforts. Utilizing a deep understanding of polymer processing, polymer science and material properties the ideal candidate will design and develop innovative new products, lead and direct Research & Development and Quality Assurance efforts and assist sales and marketing in product launches. This innovative leader will also serve as a resource to sales and service representatives for technical information.

The Geosynthetic Institute's (GSI) first newsletter of 2012 is, as expected, a crowded issue. This issue includes an overview of multiple research projects being conducted by the Geosynthetic Research Institute (GRI), such as the "Exposed Lifetime of Facing Geogrids Used at Landfill Berms"; an update on special information projects being created by Jamie Koerner (e.g., allowable leakage rate for waste ponds); an update on the Institute's wall certification program; and much more. Read it here (PDF)

rom 20-22 April 1977 the International Conference on the Use of Fabrics in Geotechnics was held in Paris, France. This watershed event included a paper from engineer Dr. J.P. Giroud in which he coined two terms that have become central to the field of geosynthetics: "geotextile" and "geomembrane." The Paris gathering introduced many new users to the fast-developing field of geosynthetics and, perhaps even more importantly, connected many companies, universities, and individual engineers who had already been furthering understanding of the materials—current and needed characteristics, manufacturing potential, applications for adoption, design methodologies, etc.

The Second Pan-American Conference on Geosynthetics, GeoAmericas 2012, is set to take place 1–4 May 2012 at the Westin Lima Hotel & Convention Center in Lima, Peru. While we have looked mostly at the technical program here on Geosynthetica, we want to take a moment to recognize the extraordinary support of so many companies by way of sponsorships of various portions of the event and through participation in the commercial exhibition. See who will be there (including 50+ exhibitors).

The International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) has published its first issue of IGS News for 2012. Issue 28.1 includes a lead editorial from IGS President Jorge Zornberg on IGS's student and young member initiatives, a call for IGS Council member candidates, reports from key technical committees (Soil Reinforcement, Barrier Systems, Filtration), late 2011 event reports, news of international chapter activities, corporate member news, and much more. Read the issue here (PDF).

Leister Technologies AG, a worldwide leader in plastic welding and hot air equipment, has announced that U.S.-based calibration and repair services for its EXAMO tensiometers is now available through Leister USA in Chicago. Yearly recalibration is normally required for all tensile-testing devices in the geosynthetics and civil engineering industries. The new services through Leister USA will enable North American customers to remain compliant with these requirements, while reducing costs and downtime during tensiometer updates.

NAUE's geosynthetics are on full display in the latest issue of GEONEWS, published by Global Synthetics out of Australia. The April 2012 issue includes stories on the utilization of a geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) cap for the closure of a landfill, tunnel works in Brisbane, prefabricated drainage modules, biplanar drainage products in remediation applications, a new information series on GCLs, and more. Read the latest issue here (PDF).

Nordic Waterproofing Group strengthens the position in Nordic Countries by acquiring Nortett AS in Norway. Since the end of the 1970s, Nortett (previously Paus and Paus) has sold and marketed products for roofs, walls and foundations.

A new video from Strata Systems demonstrates how geocell is used to reinforce an unpaved highway shoulder for the Florida Department of Transportation (DOT). The installation was completed by CW Roberts Construction on US 331 on the Florida panhandle where soft soils were causing the roadside shoulder to become unstable at a bridge approach. The 8.5-ft. roadside shoulder was first excavated 6 in., then the subgrade was compacted with a heavy-duty vibration compaction roller. A 6 oz/yd2 nonwoven geotextile was laid next, followed by StrataWeb 30, a medium weight geocell with a 4-in. depth. The honeycomb shape of the geocell is one of the strongest structural shapes proven to solve difficult civil engineering problems associated with load support on soft soils. Lastly, #57 stone was spread over the geocell and compacted inside the cells with 2 inches of overfill. By using geocell and stone fill, the Florida DOT provided a safe, load bearing shoulder, without the expense of paving. WATCH THE VIDEO here.

The International Erosion Control Association (IECA) is calling for submissions for Environmental Connection 2013, annual conference and expo of IECA. Combining quality education with a top-notch expo, Environmental Connection is the premier gathering place for the erosion and sediment control community. The 2013 conference will be held in San Diego, CA, 10–13 February 2013. This year, IECA is focusing on the relevant issues and challenges facing erosion control and stormwater quality management professionals. Abstracts are due 31 May 2012. Read more, including about recommend topics.

The Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI) in collaboration with the Zofnass Program for Sustainable Infrastructure at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design (GSD) unveiled today a new infrastructure rating system, called Envision™. The system is designed to help policy makers evaluate the sustainability of infrastructure, set realistic national priorities, and conduct a national discourse on infrastructure investment. Through a holistic approach, the Envision™ system rates all types and sizes of civil infrastructure projects, and does so in terms of environmental, economic and community benefits.

Located throughout the United States and in six world regions, the International Erosion Control Association's (IECA) Chapters provide integral networking and professional development opportunities in the erosion and sediment control community. They organize field days, workshops, websites, newsletters and much more. At IECA's 2012 annual conference, IECA recognized the work of their chapters during an awards ceremony. Read about the winners.

The 2013 Geo-Congress from ASCE's Geo-Institute be held 3-7 March 2013 in San Diego, California. The broad theme of the 2013 Geo-Congress has been announced as the "Stability and Performance of Slopes and Embankments," a theme that encompasses all aspects of the geo-profession--and one that certainly utilizes geosynthetics. Learn more about the conference and submit your abstract by 17 April 2012. Learn more here.;

Effective 30 March 2012, GSE Holding, Inc., a leading global manufacturer and provider of geosynthetic lining products and services, joined the Russell 2000 Index, the most common benchmark for small cap mutual funds. "We believe that this will broaden our market exposure and bring long-term value to our shareholders," said Mark Arnold, GSE President anCEO.

terrafix® Biaxial Geogrids provide a simple, cost effective solution for soil reinforcement and improvement of roadways, highways and other heavily trafficked areas. Even when conditions are less than perfect, including weak subgrades, contaminated soils, heavy loads, high granular costs and shallow-buried utilities, an engineered solution is possible. Learn more. Learn more here.;

Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (ADS), the world's largest producer of corrugated high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe, announced today the addition of eleven Geogrid reinforcement products—six biaxial and five uniaxial, each available in different strengths and load bearing properties to meet the needs of a specific project. The grids are being produced by Syntec Corporation. Learn more.

Last Friday, HUESKER Synthetic GmbH welcomed guests to the official opening of its new office space. The new structure preserves the existing historical facade of the company's main office while the interior has been modernized. This reflects the company's story well, as HUESKER is celebrating its 150+ years of operation while continuing to innovate and develop new materials to meet the needs of the changing construction, engineering and sustainability landscapes. Wolfgang Huesker, the international company's Manageing Director, was on hand for the opening.

The Chattanooga Times Free Press reports that Propex will shift its corporate focus to erosion control. In addition to civil and environmental engineering solutions like erosion control blankets and mats and geotextiles, the company has a long history of producing products such as carpet backing. But Propex, like many companies, suffered during the economic recession, and its carpet backing business has recovered to only about one-third of its previous height as that industry completely changed. Today, Propex's civil engineering solutions are growing and returning the company to strength. Learn more here.;

A new video from Strata Systems demonstrates how geocell is used to reinforce an unpaved highway shoulder for the Florida Department of Transportation (DOT). The installation was completed where soft soils destabilized the roadside shoulder at a bridge approach. A 6-ounce nonwoven geotextile was placed, followed by StrataWeb 30, a medium weight geocell with a 4-inch depth. By using geocell and stone fill, the Florida DOT provided a safe, solid shoulder, without the expense of paving. View the video here.

Exceed Geotextile was part of a seven-company, mid-March industrial delegation from Abu Dhabi that visited the Qatari capital Doha, Emirates News Agency reports. Under the leadership of the Department of Economic Development in Abu Dhabi (DED) and in cooperation with Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Higher Corporation of Specialized Economic Zones, the companies evaluated current investment and trade opportunities as well as the infrastructure projects that will be part of Qatar's preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.