Transportation

Contech CPI has relaunched its website with a new look. Product information, case studies, and much more are available for retaining walls, plastic pipes, stormwater management and other key sectors and technologies. Learn more here.;

The North American Geosynthetics Society and Geosynthetic Materials Association will deliver a 1.5-day (9-PDH) course on geosynthetic reinforcement in transportation applications August 11 and 12 in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. The course examines the use of geotextiles and geogrids as soil reinforcement (e.g., embankments over soft foundations, geosynthetic-reinforced MSE walls, reinforced soil slopes, and reinforced load transfer platforms). Instructors: Robert M. Koerner and L. David Suits. Learn more here.;

The cover story for the June 2011 issue of Arab Construction World comes from Geosynthetica's Chris Kelsey. "Greener Infrastructures with Geosynthetics" looks at gas barrier improvements with EVOH layer incorporation and growth and opportunities in the region. Companies of note in the article include Leister Process Technologies, Kuraray, Raven Industries, I-CORP International, Sika, Mattex and BMC. Download the issue in PDF here.

This year, the Cities of Opportunity report (now in its fourth edition) covers 26 cities and presents in-depth results covering 10 key indicators and 66 variables, examines issues such as transportation and sustainability, and adds insight from major urban thinkers and influencers. Download Cities of Opportunity 2011 (PDF).

The American Public Works Association (APWA) has confirmed that Oregon Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), will be on hand to participate in the 2011 Sustainability in Public Works Conference. The event takes place 27-29 June 2011 in Portland, Oregon. Learn more here.;

The membership of the International Erosion Control Association has voted to accept the proposed regionalizationplan. The voting period, which closed May 23, 2011, saw the measure pass withan almost 9 to 1 margin. The accepted regionalization plan will divide IECA membership into two regions. Region One will consist of North and South America and Europe; Region Two will be centered in what has been the Australasian Chapter and include Africa, Oceania and Asia. This move will allow closer management and coordination with each region and better service to IECA's diverse membership.

The Storm Water Solutions magazine staff invites industry professionals to nominate the storm water and erosion control projects they deem most remarkable and innovative for recognition in the November/December issue. All projects must have been in the design or construction phase over the last 18 months. Visit the nomination page here. Learn more here.;

Maccaferri's free instructional webinar on erosion control is intended to provide information and understanding of erosion control techniques and soil bioengineering. This webinar will help planners, developers, engineers and contractors with the proper selection and installation of a wide range of solutions to mitigate erosion along slopes, streams, rivers, lakes and channels. Next available session: 9 June 2011, 1:00 - 2:30 pm (EDT). Learn more. Learn more here.;

The 2011 Public Works Manual from PW Magazine includes an article from Laurie Honnigford, executive director of the Erosion Control Technology Council (ECTC). Writing for the manual's web edition, Honnigford outlines the Quality Data Oversight and Review (QDOR) program from ECTC--a program which takes a scientific view towards providing confidence in erosion control material selection. Read "Seal of Approval" online. Learn more here.;

Since IAGI's founding in 1996 the association has established and operated programs that have recognized outstanding achievements in installation. During the Geo-Frontiers 2011 conference, the International Association of Geosynthetic Installers (IAGI) announced the winners of IAGI's first Installation Awards of Excellence competition. Three awards were given: Extreme Project Award, Innovative Project Award and the Award of Excellence. Brian McKeown, IAGI President, presented the awards during a ceremony honoring the winners.

Tunnelling 20Twenty will take place in Hong Kong 19-22 September 2011. This event from the International Tunnelling Association (ITA) aims to explore the opportunities in tunnelling and what the international market look like for the next 20 years. Organizers have noted that a 25% discount off the standard rate is available to those using the code GEO-25DIS when booking. Geosynthetica is a media partner to the event. Learn more here.;

APWA's Sustainability in Public Works Conference offers a meeting place for professionals in both the public and private sectors for the sharing of innovative ideas in sustainability. With the industry's newest processes and technologies available at this event, attending can prove to be a truly important investment in your community's (or business's) future. The event takes place 27-29 June 2011 in Portland, Oregon. Read more from APWA (PDF).

The American Public Works Association (APWA) launched a revamped website. This includes a new page for its Center for Sustainability. Learn more here.;

Pennsylvania and the city of Philadelphia have signed a $2 billion plan to begin building a sustainable stormwater-management system in the city over the next 25 years. The green infrastructure plan includes installing porous pavement, roadside plantings and green roofs to collect rainwater runoff. The project is expected to prevent up to 8 billion gallons of water from entering the sewer system. Learn more here.;

Due to overwhelming demand, the International Erosion Control Association (IECA) has extended the deadline for abstract submittal to EC12 to June 17. If you are interested in presenting at EC12, submit your 400 word abstract on IECA's website. The event will be held 26-29 February 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Read more from IECA Education Director Jimmy Eanes.

Geosynthetics Middle East 2011 will take place under the patronage of Abu Dhabi Municipality 25-26 October 2011 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Key themes include transportation, environmental and water applications, polymeric product development, design and installation, testing and cqa, and standards and regulations. Abstract submissions for consideration are due by 16 June 2011.

Geosynthetica welcomes its newest underwriter: Carlisle GeoMembranes. With a renowned supply of reinforced and unreinforced polypropylene geomembranes, EPDM geomembranes, and the GeoRod and GeoFlashing product lines, Carlisle's containment technologies are utilized in aquaculture, agriculture, potable water, mining, and many other application sectors. Learn more at the company website. Learn more here.;

New Zealand-based Skellerup Containment Systems, part of Viking Group Ltd., is changing its name to Viking Containment. Viking Containment is New Zealand’s leading supplier and installer of geosynthetic products, including geosynthetic liners, baffle curtains, floating covers, geotextiles, geocomposites and geogrids. Under this new identity, the company will continue its tradition of reliability and strong quality control and assurance standards. Viking offers a comprehensive program to ensure that all design and manufacturer installation specifications are complied with. The company holds accreditation from the International Association of Geosynthetic Installers (IAGI) Certified Welding Technician (CWT) Program. Learn more here.;

In the fall of 2010, as a part of a training day in South Carolina for an International Erosion Control Association (IECA) state group, videographer Chelsea Thompson conducted interviews and captured footage of full-scale erosion and sediment control testing procedures at TRI Environmental's Denver Downs Research Facility (DDRF) in Anderson, South Carolina. Those videos have now been uploaded for open access online. The nine videos in the series address performance issues associated sediment retention devices (SRDs), including silt fence, ASTM D 7351 toe-of-slope testing, curb inlet filters along gutter lines, turbidity treatments, inlet filters for area inlets, ASTM D 6459 slope testing, sediment traps and baffles, sediment bags, and ASTM D 7208 check structure testing in trapezoidal channels.

The latest newsletter from the Geosynthetics Interest Group of South Africa (GIGSA) is available. The May 2011 issue features an article on a new combination drainage and soil reinforcement geosynthetic, the "Prez Sez" column, upcoming GIGSA and geosynthetics-related events, express railway track maintenance, the submission call for the biennial GIGSA awards, a new government specification for pipes, and more.

TenCate revisits a Raleigh, North Carolina project site to inspect the integrity of a flexible pavement installation from January 2003, and to observe how another site that did not use geosynthetics has held up. The results present a dramatic contrast and show the longevity and reduced costs/maintenance presented by geosynthetics.

GSE, an international producer of geosynthetic materials, has announced the release its Online Interactive Drainage Design Manual. This is the third edition in the series, which has been authored collectively by industry design professionals. This volume includes contributions from Robert Bachus, Dhani Narejo, Mengjia Li, Te-Yang Soong, and Richard Thiel. The first edition was published in July 2004 and the second in June 2007. The manual is designed to assist users in specifying cost-effective drainage systems and aid in the preparation of construction details.

Bernama has published a second story about geosynthetics in greener infrastructures. The story cites comments made by Malaysia's Minister of Works, Datuk Shaziman, during the official opening ceremony of NAUE's new Bentofix plant in Selangor. Learn more here.;

Almost 25 years ago, NAUE transformed the geosynthetic barrier field for sustainable, environmental protection applications. It was in 1987 that NAUE invented the needle-punched method of manufacturing geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) materials. Today, NAUE is proud to take another step on the path of innovation that has guided the company since its founding in 1967. NAUE has announced the opening of a new Bentofix® production center, NAUE Asia Sdn. Bhd., in Malaysia. The center is dedicated to serving the Asian and Oceanic markets.

Bernama has published a story on NAUE's new Bentofix plant in Selangor, Malaysia. The Malaysian Minister of Works, Datuk Shaziman, officiated the opening ceremony. Learn more here.;