Transportation

The world's largest manufacturer of fiber optic sensors for civil engineering applications and the world's leading provider of geosynthetics are collaborating in the development of a unique geotextile monitoring solution -- TenCate GeoDetect® -- that will provide unprecedented detail about the properties of embankments, slopes, walls, levees, roads, rails and other earth structures. Customers will benefit from the real-time monitoring of every square meter of land for ground movement, soil erosion, settlement and other changes. Read more.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, who has highlighted strengthening tribal partnerships as a top priority during her tenure, today announced an internal restructuring that brings EPA's international and tribal programs together under one umbrella organization called the Office of International & Tribal Affairs (OITA). This restructuring was initiated in response to a request from the tribes to reconsider the proper location of the American Indian Environmental Office (AIEO).

Countries like India are beginning to discover the benefits of using geotextiles in road building. Frances Penwill-Cook uncovers the challenges that lie ahead for the geotextile industry. An international symposium on geotextiles in India predicted the increased use of geotextiles could be in the region of 15% a year. Yet, within India, there are still specifications to be approved and awareness to be raised before geotextile products can meet their full predicted potential. Learn more here.;

The Alfred Noble Prize recognizes a published technical paper of exceptional merit whose author is 35 years of age or younger. Nominations are now being accepted for the 2010 Noble Prize. Eligible papers must have been published between May 2008 and June 2009. In addition to publicity you will receive in ASCE media, Noble Award winners receive a special certificate and may be eligible for a cash prize. Nominations are due by May 1. Learn more here.;

SKZ, with scientific committee support from Cemagref and the Geosynthetic Institute (GSI), will host the 3rd International Symposium on Geosynthetic Clay Liners (GBR-C 2k10) 15-16 September 2010 at the Fortress Marienberg in Würzburg, Germany. Technical sessions will address shear and mechanical behaviour of GCLs, chemical resistance of GCLs, testing of GCLs under unsaturated conditions, behaviour of GCLs in landfill covers (case studies), regulations, new concepts and developments in the use of GCLs, and GCLs for hydraulic and construction applications. Visit the conference's new website. Learn more here.;

Three short years after opening their first laboratory in the Chinese market in 2006, Precision Geosynthetic Laboratories International (PGLI) is thrilled to announce they are the First Foreign Geosynthetic Laboratory to be certified by the CMA (China Metrology Accreditation). This Accredidation allows PGLI to reaffirm to their customers they are receiving the highest level of quality testing available. A CMA certification allows PGLI to issue reports with the CMA mark, which is accepted by the Chinese Government for evaluation of a products quality and safety. It is also used for the conformance to the mandatory standards in China.

The African geosynthetics industry, and particularly South Africa's experts, took center stage last September during GeoAfrica 2009, which was the first African regional conference on geosynthetics. One of that region's main players is South Africa-based Kaytech, a wide-ranging manufacturer and distributor of materials for road construction and maintenance, drainage and filtration, erosion control, waterproofing, separation and reinforcement. Kaytech is growing steadily in the international market, both from its headquarters and through expanding its involvement elsewhere.

One year after being acquired by a private equity group, the leadership at Propex Operating Company, LLC, says that the emerging economic recovery will find the company ideally positioned to leverage its global and U.S. assets for optimal growth and profitability. Propex is a global leader in the development, design and manufacturing of brands and products for its customers. The business is grouped into four operating units including Geosynthetics, Performance Technologies, Concrete Solutions and Furnishing Solutions. Read more.

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Geo-Institute held its annual event in West Palm Beach, Florida 20-24 February 2010. And I am very pleased to report that the event was vibrant with a broad range of activity and healthy level of attendance. One of the remarkable characteristics of this event was the diversity of both attendee specializations and subject matters covered. Every facet of industry and academia seemed to be represented by the 850+ attendees. The 3.5-day technical program was so completely full that at times it was difficult for attendees to choose which of the sessions to attend. Read more from Elizabeth Peggs.

A group led by International Erosion Control Association (IECA) members Tony Chu and past president Doug Wimble is planning the "Shenzhen Environmental Protection Industry Development Forum" with both local and national Chinese governmental and environmental agencies. The forum will bring together Chinese government officials, leading Chinese erosion research institutes and erosion-related companies to network and develop strategies to assist the Chinese government in further addressing the country's environmental issues. It is hoped that the event will generate momentum to form an IECA China Chaper. Read more.

After 13 years as the Director of the ASCE's Geo-Institute, Carol Bowers is departing…for another position within ASCE. Bowers is taking a fantastic new challenge in transferring to a newly created position within ASCE for the creation of a Sustainable Infrastructure Rating System. The project is just getting underway--Geosynthetica will keep you posted as the program develops. In the meantime, Carol is overseeing projects and keeping a hand on the Geo-Institute until such time as her successor is named. Applications are being accepted for this position. We congratulate Carol on her new endeavor and look forward to seeing the rating system develop. Learn more here.;

The International Erosion Control Association (IECA) reports that member Craig Knock passed away on 27 December 2009. He was a leader in the field of erosion control, landscaping and hydroseeding, and he was only one of three professionals in South Dakota to become a Certified Professional in Erosion & Sediment Control (CPESC). He specialized in reclamation of various mines and oil fields. We extend our sympathies to his family and friends. Learn more here.;

The Charitable Fund of IECA, Save Our International Land, held a silent auction at EC10. The auction raised $4650 and featured unique items generously donated by members with all proceeds benefiting the SOIL Fund. The grand prize item was a Tommy Silt Fence Machine donated by Tom Carpenter, CPESC, which went to Jules St. Laurent for $3000. Learn more here.;

Geo-Frontiers 2011 brings together the North American Geosynthetics Society (NAGS), the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Geo-Institute (GI) and the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI). It will be held 13-16 March 2011 in Dallas, Texas. The conference organizers have announced an extension to the abstract submission deadline. Abstracts will now be accepted through 15 March 2010.

TenCate GeoDetect® is the first sensor enabled geotextile on the market to provide soil reinforcement, structural health monitoring and an early warning system into one package. Getec is an established geo structural monitoring company that provides bespoke monitoring packages and instrumentation. Getec and TenCate are working together to promote TenCate GeoDetect®, for embankment and slope monitoring. Learn more here.;

Located throughout the U.S. and in 6 other regions of the world, the Chapters of the International Erosion Control Association (IECA) are instrumental in providing the erosion and sediment control community with education and networking opportunities through regional conferences, workshops, field days, newsletters, websites and other services.IECA is proud of the following Chapters for their achievements. (Continued.)

Cal Poly's Brent Hallock received the Presenter of the Year Award at the 41st conference and expo of the International Erosion Control Association (IECA) held recently in Dallas, Texas. The award recognizes an outstanding presenter that demonstrates excellence in presentation skills, educational delivery and content preparation. Hallock received the award for his course "Principles and Practices for Using Vegetation to Prevent Erosion." Read more.

Engineers this week said that damage to vital infrastructure such as highways and airports would hamper Chile’s efforts to recover from a massive magnitude 8.8 earthquake that struck the nation on Saturday. From New Civil Engineer (NCE). Learn more here.;

ASTM is currently seeking student nominees for the 2010 ASTM International Graduate Scholarship and the 2010 Katharine and Bryant Mather Scholarship. The application deadline for both scholarships is 30 April 2010. Visit the Student Awards section in the Students and Professors section of the ASTM Web site for more information. Learn more here.;

The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI), Folsom, Pennsylvania will be holding its next GSI Short Courses on March 22 and 23. A certification exam will also be offered on March 24. The opportunities are: "Geosynthetics in Waste Containment Liner and Cover Design," March 22; "Quality Control/Quality Assurance of Geosynthetics Installation," March 23; and the Examination for Inspector Certification, March 24. Read more about these events and download a registration brochure.

At the 41st conference and expo of the International Erosion Control Association (IECA) held in Dallas, Texas, 16-20 February 2010, the IECA Board of Directors installed one new officer and held an election to determine who would hold the position of Treasurer. All other members of the Board of Directors will continue to serve in their current roles. The IECA Board of Directors is made up of nine members, each serving a three year term. Read more.

The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) has released its latest Approved Product List (APL) for erosion control activities associated with its products. The March 2010 document, which draws upon AASHTO, NTPEP and ECTC testing approaches, includes a number of products and companies for meeting various types of erosion control situations, such as biodegradable blankets from East Coast Erosion Blankets, North American Green, Propex, Tencate (Mirafi Construction Products), and Tensar. Learn more here.;

At Geo-Frontiers 2011, a special session will be held on "Soil-Structure-Geosynthetics Interaction." Session organizers invite abstracts through the overall conference abstract submission deadline: 8 March 2010. The proposed technical session will include presentations related to the development and application of analysis and design dealing with macro-scale mechanical interaction problems encountered in foundation engineering, underground construction, railroads and pavements, and ground improvement. Learn more.

At the Geo-Frontiers 2011 conference, there will be a technical session on Concrete Protection Liners co-chaired by Ian D. Peggs (icorp@geosynthetic.com) and Peter Dimaio (peterd@aks.co.za). All those working on tunnels, wastewater treatment basins, process chemical containment, or any other aspect of concrete protection using geomembranes or thicker polymeric sheet products, are invited to submit abstracts through 8 March 2010. Learn more.

The International Erosion Control Association (IECA) and the Erosion and Sediment Control Network (ESCN.tv) have announced an agreement to make ESCN.tv the official online news station of IECA. "This partnership will allow the International Erosion Control Association to better communicate with our members and potential members alike," states Russell Adsit, Executive Director of IECA. "The opportunity is here to use another medium to promote our members as well as to deliver timely information to the erosion, sediment and stormwater communities."