Transportation

Following the press release of 15 November 2010, Ten Cate Geosynthetics Asia announces the successful closing of the acquisition of the geosynthetics activities of Emas Kiara Industries Berhad, a publicly listed company based in Rawang, Malaysia. The completion of this transaction provides TenCate Geosynthetics with a significantly larger position in the supply of geosynthetics solutions to the Southeast Asian markets.

The story of Mattex Geosynthetics is a strong example of what in recent years we've noted here on Geosynthetica in news, event reviews, and general discussions: how the Middle East, North Africa and Gulf region is transitioning from a top role in raw materials supply to being a mature source for finished products, including geosynthetics.

Thrace-LINQ, a supplier of woven and nonwoven geosynthetic technical fabrics, announces the release of the Thrace-LINQ Product Finder™ mobile application for BlackBerry®, Android™, and Apple® mobile devices. Within seconds, the Thrace-LINQ Product Finder helps users identify geosynthetic products that meet specific project needs. Read more.

Much has been promoted in the past few years regarding the use of geosynthetic reinforced soil system apporach to bridge abutment designs. In series of notes on future projects issued by the US Secretary of Transportation, it was announced that the Puerto Rico Highways and Transportation Authority will use $95,000 to replace Bridge No. 1828 on PR 140 in Barceloneta using geosynthetic reinforced soil system technology to minimize traffic disruption, cut construction time and reduce cost by 20-30%. It's part of the Highways for Life program. Learn more here.;

An inflatable dam has been set up to allow engineers to inspect a quake-damaged bridge in New Zealand. The 50m-long dam is filled with river water and holds back water from the bridge foundations. RST Environmental Solutions project manager Graham Brown said it was only the third time this particular product (the Aquadam) has been used in New Zealand. His company brought the technology from the United States in 2009. Learn more here.;

Industry veteran Stephen N. Valero is now serving as president of a new company: Retaining Wall Evaluation. He writes, "Over the last 30 years, retaining wall failures and performance issues have caused billions of dollars in damages, legal costs and lost revenue. Many of these losses could have been avoided had a managed earth retention program been implemented or even simple inspection and maintenance procedures been followed." Read more.

Global construction output will grow to US$ 12 trillion by 2020, a +70% increase on this year's figure of US$ 7.2 trillion, according to a new report by Global Construction Perspectives and Oxford Economics. The report, Global Construction 2020, goes on to say that half of the US$ 4.8 trillion increase will come from China, India and the US. Learn more here.;

Video has become an increasingly important medium online for disseminating geosynthetics information. The international manufacturer NAUE, an ISO 9001-certified group of companies, has recently produced numerous videos that showcase geosynthetic applications, testing, installation procedures, specific materials, and systems. The latest video is a general overview of geosynthetics in use and being installed. From runways to railways and from walls to the waterfronts, geotextiles, geomembranes, GCLs, geogrids, and other polymeric materials are improving infrastructures, reducing construction costs, and decreasing the carbon footprint of construction activities. See the video online. Learn more here.;

The 2nd International Conference on Transportation Geotechnics (IS-Hokkaido 2012) invites abstracts through 30 June 2011. Among the specific themes for the event are "Application of Geosynthetics," "Geotechnics for Pavement, Rail Track and Airfields," "Geomaterials, Including Non-Traditional Materials," and other matters of interest to the geosynthetics field. The conference will be held 10-12 September 2012 in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. Free short courses will be held on the day before the event. Learn more. Learn more here.;

Denmark-based Fibertex, a manufacturer of geotextiles, has split its two primary nonwovens divisions into two independent legal entitites. Fibertex Industrial Nonwovens and Fibertex Personal Care demerged as of 1 January 2011. The new company name for Fibertex Industrial Nonwovens is now Fibertex Nonwovens A/S. The demerger will ensure optimum focus on what has developed into two very distinct business areas and enhance the possibilities for further developing both these areas. Learn more here.;

The National Science Foundation-sponsored Geo-engineering Extreme Events Reconnaissance (GEER) team is traveling to Christchurch, New Zealand to document the effects of the Magnitude 6.3 earthquake that occurred on February 22, 2011. GEER teams focus on documenting geotechnical effects of extreme events as part of the U.S. National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP).

At the 42nd conference and expo of the International Erosion Control Association (IECA) held in Orlando, FL, 20-23 February 2011, the IECA Board of Directors installed Beth Chesson, CPESC, CPSWQ, as a new officer and held elections to determine new positions. The IECA Board of Directors is made up of nine members, each serving a three year term. Learn more.

The Netherlands-based Royal Ten Cate has announced a net profit increase of 92% in 2010. The Geosynthetics and Grass sector played a substantial role, with EBITA having increased by 87%. With its Georgia-based American opertaions leading the way, the company reports seeing recovery in the American geosynthetics market, which in terms of size is Ten Cate's most important. In its release, Ten Cate notes that, "The improvement resulted from an increase in the number of infrastructure projects and intensive targeting of the South American market. Sales in the Asian geosynthetics market continued to grow (autonomous+7%). In Europe sales remained stable, although the number of infrastructure projects declined." Read more. Learn more here.;

On Monday, March 14, Kent von Maubeuge (NAUE) and Joerg Klompmaker (BBG) will present on "New Developments for Geogrid Reinforced Base Courses." The presentation will examine the complex summary of properties which contribute to the reinforcment of pavements, describe the mechanisitic-empirical design method (supported by experimental data), and provide the audience with a tangible reference to existing information, including comparison to the Giroud and Noiray (1981) design method. Catch it between 1:30-3:00 pm in the Geosynthetic Reinforcement Mechanisms in Pavement Stabilization track. Learn more here.;

TenCate Geosynthetics (Booth 607) will release new products, design software and details of their new paving warranty during Geo-Frontiers 2011. To learn more, visit one of their many mini-sessions, to be held in the TenCate exhibit hall booth on March 15 and 16. The schedule includes GeoDetect® (Tues. 1:00-1:30 pm, Wed. 10:00-10:30 am), RSi Intro (Tues. 2:00-2:30 pm, Wed. 11:00-11:30 am), MiraSpec (Tues. 3:00-3:30 pm, Wed. 12:00-12:30pm), and Warranty (Tues. 4:00-4:30pm, Wed. 1:00-1:30 pm). Learn more here.;

On Sunday, March 13, multiple day-long short courses are offered for deeply focused discussion and education on specific geosynthetics topics. For the "Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil" course, geosynthetics experts from the Pacific Northwest, Dr. Robert Holtz, Ph.D., P.E., Professor Emeritus, University of Washington and Jonathan Fannin, Ph.D., PEng, University of British Columbia will cover earth retaining structures, bridge abutments, and fill slopes. Careful examination of material properties and durability, principles of analysis, codes of practice in design, and field performance data should leave attendees with a clear understanding of all that goes into creating superior soil reinforced structures. Learn more here.;

Nonwoven fabrics manufacturer Fiberweb has launched a deeply discounted rights issue to raise £25.4m gross to help to finance acquisitions. Fiberweb is well within its loan covenants but the extra cash, ShareCast writes, will give it more flexibility with bolt-on acquisitions. The owners of international companies do not tend to be interested in Fiberweb shares and want cash. The focus of the expansion will be the industrial products business. Learn more here.;

Geosynthetica is pleased to welcome BOSTD Geosynthetics and its successful E'Grid line of products as Geosynthetica's newest Premium Underwriter. An ISO 9001-certified company, BOSTD Geosynthetics has a global presence and expertise in reinforcement products for subgrade stabilization, foundation improvement, abutment stability, retaining walls, and much more. Also, BOSTD offer geocellular systems. Learn more. Learn more here.;

The Performing Arts Center in Pinellas Park, Florida is sporting two brand new parking lots designed to be friendlier to the environment and more efficient with the use of city property. Porous pavers with geotextile separation fabric and sand underlayers are being used. As the project manager notes, this type of low impact design essentially uses the parking lot like a retention pond. Stormwater infiltrates straight through to the water table rather than runs off. Learn more here.;

Low and Bonar confirms that its Annual General Meeting will be held on 31 March 2011 at The Cumberland Hotel, Great Cumberland Place, London, W1A 4RF, commencing at midday. A notice convening that meeting has today been posted to shareholders (and submitted to the National Storage Mechanism) together with a copy of the Company's Annual Report for the year ended 30 November 2010.

On Monday, March 14, during the Geo-Frontiers 2011 conference (13-16 March 2011, Dallas), John Lostumbo of TenCate Geosynthetics will present a much-anticipated paper on "Geosynthetic Enabled with Fiber Optic Sensors for MSE Bridge Abutment Supporting Shallow Bridge Foundations." Geotextiles with fiberoptic components provide a resource for monitoring various design functions including strain. Data collected from fiber optic monitoring can be used to determine the functional longevity of civil structures helping to insure safety as well as providing data which may be used for evaluation of design methods. Download the abstract here.

In May, TRI Geosynthetics Services will offer more Construction Quality Assurance (CQA) Training courses and affiliated certification in Australia. The group last provided these essential professional development and business-improving events in November 2010. The new courses will be delivered on May 9 and 13 in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales to bookend the events of the Waste 2011 Conference (10-12 May 2011, Coffs Harbour). Learn more.

Tensar International, the leader in geosynthetic soil reinforcement and stabilization, today announced it recently completed its 100th wind farm project. Achieving this milestone demonstrates Tensar's ability to provide a variety of cost-saving solutions for crane pads, foundations and roadway projects, usually some of the most costly components of wind farm construction. Learn more about this hallmark moment for the company and the interaction between geosynthetics and this sector of renewable energy.

In the February 2011 issue of Stormwater Solutions, Bryan Weldin, P.E., and Patricia Stelter of Presto Geosystems write about the use of geocellular systems for supporting sustainable vegetation on sloped sites that otherwise would not support vegetation cost effectively. Two case studies are presented, one from a pulp mill geomembrane cover project and one from a roadside ditch remediation project. Learn more here.;

Tensartech TW1 structural and retaining walls are being installed in a new raised dual carriageway to bypass the historic City of Wroclaw in South East Poland. The road will give access to the new Miejski Stadium in time for its role in the UEFA Euro 2012 football finals. Wroclaw Municipality and its main contractor, Skanska, chose the Tensar solution for the 5km bypass project because of its low material costs and rapid construction, as well as its aesthetic appearance and versatility in adapting to site requirements.