Transportation

Propex has announced that Mark Marienfeld, P.E., has joined its Geotextile Systems Division as Transportation Market Specialist. Marienfeld brings a wealth of design expertise on the use of geotextiles, especially in the transportation market. With 27 years experience in the geotextile industry, he has held key positions within industry associations and has worked closely with transportation agencies to show the benefits of incorporating geotextiles and pavement interlayer fabrics in their paved and unpaved roads.

Geosynthetica is proud to welcome Plastatech Engineering Ltd as its latest Silver Underwriter. Plastatech is an expert manufacturer of various film and sheet materials, including the PlastaFlex line of geomembrane products. Learn more about the company's materials and expertise on the Plastatech website, www.plastatech.com. Learn more here.;

Tech 5® and Tech 10® Geomembranes from Plastatech Engineering Ltd are a key part of the PlastaFlex geomembrane product line. These geomembranes help shield the environment against harsh chemicals and other pollutants commonly found in landfills, reservoirs, chemical processing plants, refineries, manufacturing facilities, and water treatment operations. Learn more. Download the specification sheet for these products here (PDF). Learn more here.;

Tensar International Corporation, a leader in geosynthetic soil reinforcement and stabilization, has announced the launch of the new SpectraPave mobile application. The SpectraPave mobile application allows users in the field to quickly and accurately determine aggregate savings with the use of TriAx® Geogrid (TX140/TX160) for subgrade stabilization projects. The SpectraPave mobile application can be accessed with Internet connected devices on demand, at any time and from anywhere in the world. Read more.

In a 1 December 2011 release, the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) announced that it is postponing its IFAI Expo Asia 2012 event, originally scheduled to be held in late June 2012 at the Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre. However, construction on the Suntec Center may not in fact be completed by June to ensure the full success of the event and the association cites the softness of the global economy as another primary reason for the event's postponement. Two geosynthetics sessions were to be held at the event.

Maccaferri now offers a biaxial geogrid. Manufactured in the United States and in accordance with USA regulations and standards, Maccaferri MacGrid® EG biaxial geogrids are a single layer product, which are produced of polypropylene (PP) using punched and drawn technology. The introduction of the MacGrid® EG biaxial geogrid series reinforces the company's commitment to superior quality and availability of geosynthetic products with improved technology.

Propex has announced the appointment of John W. Goers to the position of Vice President - Sales for its Geotextile Systems division. Goers comes to Propex from Firestone, where he most recently served as General Manager of Firestone's Specialty Products business, which manufactures geomembranes for retail, residential, industrial, commercial, civil and environmental industries.

In order to stay competitive and safe, airports today face a number engineering design challenges. Capacities must be expanded and efficiencies increased without adversely impacting safety. Increasing environmental protections require stringent control of stormwater runoff, strict containment of fuel resources, and, where applicable, deicing facility containment and drainage. Also, as technology in airplane manufacture and design has advanced, larger and stronger runways must be constructed to accommodate the vast range of plane styles and weights. Geosynthetics are playing a strong role in meeting these engineering design challenges, as well as offering greener design solutions and reduced long-term maintenance needs. In its latest application and case study, NAUE reports on the utilization of geosynthetics in airport design and, in particular, in the construction of the new Berlin-Brandenburg International Airport.

Eighteen people attended the 14-15 November geoelectric Liner Integrity Survey and Assessment course at the TRI campus in Austin, Texas. Organized by TRI/Environmental and I-CORP INTERNATIONAL (as the TRI-CORP Liner Integrity Center [T-CLIC]), this gathering marked the 17th course since 2004. In total, ~250 people have taken part in this unique training and education program, including registrants from England, Australia, Chile, Canada, and Brazil. Read more.

A number of calls are closing shortly, as conference technical committees and companies finalize their 2012 agendas. In our latest update we look at five of them: EuroGeo 5 (November 30), Global Waste Management Symposium (December 1), World Bioenergy 2012 (December 1), Environmental Connection (December 16), and GeoManitoba 2012 (January 15).

For the week of November 28, ASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics has announced a number of standards reapprovals and revisions. The latest includes specifications relating to geofoam, geocomposites, shear strength between segmental retaining wall block units, and short-term compression behavior. Read more.

The November 2011 issue of Railway Track and Structures includes an article from editor Mischa Wanek-Libman on the growing role of geogrid reinforcement in track construction. While the technologies are decades old, railway construction is utilizing the materials on a wider scale only now. Helping geogrid finally gain acceptance in this sector is the 2010 publication of a new geogrid information for users of AREMA specs. Learn more here.;

In recognition of its commitment to protecting the environment in which it operates, Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) has won an Environmental Protection Award at the prestigious International Bulk Journal Awards 2011, held last week in Antwerp, Belgium. Rising 4m above the water, the Environmental Breakwater at Khalifa Port cuts down sea-swell, contamination and unnecessary temperature change from any projected port use. The breakwater is constructed with a foundation of core materials covered with a strong geotextile and heavy riprap.

The California High-Speed Rail Authority has received a $928.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, bringing the total amount of federal and state government money dedicated to high-speed rail projects in the state to more than $6 billion. CHRSA said it has sufficient funding to complete the 130-mile Central Valley line, a project that could create 100,000 jobs over five years. Learn more here.;

In order to stay competitive and safe, airports today face a number engineering design challenges. Capacities must be expanded and efficiencies increased without adversely impacting safety. Increasing environmental protections require stringent control of stormwater runoff, strict containment of fuel resources, and, where applicable, deicing facility containment and drainage. Also, as technology in airplane manufacture and design has advanced, larger and stronger runways must be constructed to accommodate the vast range of plane styles and weights. Geosynthetics are playing a strong role in meeting these engineering design challenges, as well as offering greener design solutions and reduced long-term maintenance needs. In its latest application and case study flyer, NAUE reports on the utilization of geosynthetics in airport design and, in particular, in the construction of the new Berlin-Brandenburg International Airport.

Infiltrator Systems, Inc. (ISI) has announced that it has agreed to acquire the assets of the septic chamber business of Advanced Drainage Systems, Inc. (ADS) and its subsidiaries. As part of the acquisition, ADS has entered into a long-term, non-exclusive distribution agreement with Infiltrator Systems and will continue to market and sell the Arc(TM) and BioDiffuser(TM) product lines.

ASTM International Committee D35 on Geosynthetics has announced the new standard D7737, "Standard Test Method for Individual Geogrid Junction Strength." It is important to note that for this standard the test is performed in isolation, while in service a junction is typically confined. Thus, the results from this test method are not anticipated to be related to design performance. D7737-11 is published as part of ASTM BOS Volume 04.13. Learn more here.;

The Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia wanted to convert an unusable plot of land into a much needed drill field and shooting range complex. The site presented several challenges due to the changing grades and extensive rock blasting and fill areas. The retaining walls were built on a crushed gravel leveling pad and reached 34 feet high, extending over a quarter mile long, and holding up over 100,000 cubic yards of fill. The walls were used to create a level 6-acre field. To reinforce the land, Stratagrid SG200 and SG350 soil reinforcement was placed in embedment lengths of 22 feet behind nearly 50,000 square feet of block wall. The geogrid was placed on every other course with 2-inch minus crushed rock used for reinforced backfill.

Prof. Krishnan Balan (Civil Engineering at College of Engineering, Trivandrum, India) reports that they are organizing a short course on Geosynthetic Applications Case Histories. This event will be held 6-8 December 2011 for the Departmental Engineers of India's Kerala State. An exhibition is being planned and interested manufacturers will have the opportunity to present case histories of their products in use and design procedures. Learn more here.;

The International Erosion Control Association's (IECA) Environmental Connection 2012 (EC12) event will be at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, 26-29 February 2012. In the latest newsletter from the world's largest annual erosion and sediment control show, the organizers reveal some new short courses, a field tour, registration info, hotel/travel info, and more.

Tensar International has added the synthetic drainage layer product RoaDrain™ to its roadway stabilization solutions portfolio. The sales and marketing rights in the Americas are now exlcusive to Tensar. The product is designed for high-performance drainage below roadways, rail trackbed and other paved areas. Installed in subgrades, it serves to reduce subgrade degradation and, thus, increase pavement service life. Read more in the release.

The North American Geosynthetics Society (NAGS) and the Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) will hold a 1.5-day (9 PDHs) short course on "Geosynthetics in Roadways" from 28-29 November 2011 in Orlando, Florida. The event will be held at the Orlando Holiday Inn - Orlando Airport and provide training on the appropriate, cost-effective utilization of geosynthetics in roadway applications. The course examines the use of geotextiles, geogrids, and edge drains in pavement structures. Applications of filtration, drainage, roadway separation, roadway reinforcement, roadway subgrade improvement, and pavement overlays are addressed. Instructors: Barry R. Christopher, Ph.D., P.E., is an independent geotechnical engineering consultant. David Suits, MSCE, is the executive director of the North American Geosynthetics Society.

Raven Industries Engineered Films Division announces the installation and start up of newest blown sheet line; the world’s largest seven-layer barrier system. Raven is well known for innovative manufacturing technologies along with a comprehensive range of production capabilities and is the first to install a system of this magnitude in barrier technology. Raven has worked extensively over the past 18 months alongside industry experts Davis Standard LLC during the planning, design, and development of this highly complex engineered equipment. Raven's new line is capable of processing the widest and thickest (EVOH, Nylon) barrier structures available in the industry today, producing films up to 32 feet in circumference and sheeting up to 80 mils thick with optional surface texturing available. This machine houses a unique 60-inch diameter, seven-layer Centrex die manufactured with the latest extrusion technology and engineered to provide maximum versatility utilizing seven individual extruders for the production of barrier sheeting.

The 5th European Conference on Geosynthetics (EuroGeo 5) will be held 16-19 September 2012 in Valencia, Spain. The Spanish Chapter of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) will organize it, and the event will be held under the auspices of the IGS. Authors interested in presenting a paper at the Conference must provide an abstract before 30 November 2011, addressed to the Conference Secretariat, through the Conference website. Abstracts received by fax or mail will not be considered. Abstracts must be written in either English or Spanish. View the event brochure.

International manufacturer of geosynthetics, synthetic turf and other materials TenCate has released its financial performance report for the first nine months of 2011. According to the statement, geosynthetics sales showed "a positive trend on all continents." The relative proportion of sales in South America and Asia rose, while Emas Kiara was integrated within TenCate Geosynthetics Asia.