Transportation

Abstracts for Geo-Frontiers 2011 are due by 8 March 2010! Please keep this in mind during the coming week. 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. Tracks include Soil/Rock Mechanics and Modeling; Geotechnical Testing and Site Characterization; Foundations and Ground Improvement; Slopes, Embankments, and Earth Retaining Structures; Geosynthetics; Geoenvironmental Engineering; Geo-Hazards (Earthquakes, Landslides, Erosions, Others); Transportation Materials and Pavements; and Other Geotechnical Related Issues. Learn more here.;

The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) will hold a technical textiles summit, "Investment Opportunities in Emerging Indian Market," on 19-20 March 2010 in New Delhi. The event will include some investigation into the potential for geotextile use in India, though this may be limited to jute geotextiles, on which the Indian government has been heavily focused in recent years. Learn more here.;

The next short course from the Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI) will be held 14 May 2010, the FGI's website indicates. Details of the events and location have yet to be announced. The FGI held its first short course on "Constructing with Fabricated Geomembranes" in October 2009 in Denver. That event was well-received and attended and featured speakers from across the industry. Learn more here.;

A Conservative government would rename the newly-formed Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC), the government’s newly-formed planning body, as the ‘Major Infrastructure Unit’ in a shake-up to entire planning regime. Learn more here.;

The annual geo-congress of the Geo-Institute of ASCE is being held in West Palm Beach, Florida right now. This is an almost unfairly convenient location for Geosynthetica, as we are headquartered in West Palm Beach (about 1 mile from the conference site). Last night, the exhibit hall opened with a reception for GeoFlorida attendees. Elizabeth Peggs has posted some photos from the exhibit hall opening.

The final day in Dallas, Texas for the International Erosion Control Association (IECA) conference (EC10) was, as one might expect, fairly quiet. But it gave us a bit more time to follow up on conversations from those first couple days of early-morning-through-evening meetings. Also, many of the attendees who spent the previous days in sessions spent a good amount of time finally walking the exhibit hall floor with their conference bags to collect samples and literature. Read more from the final morning.

The petrochemical Group of SIBUR and the Leader-Innovations Private Investment Fund of High-Risk (Venture) Investments under the management of Leader MC have run their joint facility OOO Plastic-GeoSynthetic for development of modern geosynthetic materials research and production center at industrial site in Tulskaya Oblast.

In Olympia, Washington, Intercity Transit is closing in on acquiring land and approval to construct a park-and-ride facility atop an old landfill section that was closed and capped eight years ago. Bore samples to characterize the garbage have been taken. A grant will be used to construct the park-and-ride lot, which could open in mid-2012. The lease would be for 20 years with an option for another 20 years Learn more here.;

Students are invited to submit abstracts for publication in the conference proceedings and presentation during Geo-Frontiers 2011. Papers of interest include new research, design initiatives and innovative geosynthetic solutions. Five students will be selected as finalists for the Geosynthetics Student Paper Competition. The winner will receive a $500 award and $250 for travel expenses. Runners-up will receive a $250 award and $250 for travel expenses. Read more.

Diversified manufacturer Leggett & Platt (NYSE: LEG) unveiled its Landmark Earth Solutions product line in Dallas, Texas at Environmental Connection 2010 (EC10), the International Erosion Control Association's (IECA) annual conference and exposition. Landmark Earth Solutions is a new line of civil engineering products combining the latest scientific and technological advances with more than 125 years of manufacturing expertise. The product line is an initiative of Leggett & Platt's Industrial Materials Segment. The initial Landmark Earth Solutions product offering includes ScourStop™ transition mat technology; Safe Slope® hydraulically applied mulch; and BarriCage™, a welded wire gabion system.

Our second day at EC10--the largest soil and water event in the world--has been another very full day. From large-scale erosion and sediment control testing discussions to stormwater specification writing, from reclamation of oil and gas properties to LEED certification, Thursday's educational sessions hit upon the key issues of the day in the erosion and sediment control field. Joel Sprague of TRI/Environmental, for example, presented on a topic you'll soon see much more about both on Geosynthetica and in the overall industry: "Performance Testing of Sediment Retention Devices." Read more.

Geosynthetics are polymer-based synthetic materials, which are used with rock, earth, soil, or other materials associated with geotechnical engineering, for facilitating cost efficient projects in transportation, building, construction and environmental sectors. Increased spending on construction and infrastructure development activities is expected to boost global demand for geosynthetics. Transportation sector offers growth opportunities due to the ability of geosynthetic products in enhancing durability of roads, improving drainage facilities, and facilitate construction of erosion-preventing structures. All these are achieved at a lower cost as compared to traditional products. Landfill market represents another key focus area for geosynthetics (geomembranes), owing to their increased usage in sealing waste containment areas and leachate pits. Learn more.

Plastemart has published a review of Waterproof Membranes 2009 (and something of a preview of Waterproof Membranes 2010). This article includes, we're happy to say, reference to Geosynthetica's presentation on the incorporation of photovoltaics in waterproofing systems. Learn more here.;

AMI is pleased to invite you to consider speaking or attending the 4th international conference on Waterproof Membranes to be held from 30 November to 2 December 2010 at the Maritim Hotel in Cologne, Germany. There is a welcome reception and registration on the first evening followed by a two-day technical program. AMI's Sally Humphreys writes about the event and the expected topics.

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. A special session will be held on floating covers for potable water. Your abstracts are encouraged. The deadline for abstracts is 8 March 2010.

The 9th International Conference on Geosynthetics (9ICG) will be held in Guaruja, São Paulo, Brazil 23-27 May 2010. When entering Brazil, your passport must be valid for at least six months after the date of entry. For tourists from the Mercosur countries (Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay), it is necessary only to show some identification or a valid passport. For tourists and visitors from other countries, visas may be required. Read more.

Global Synthetics has been appointed exclusive Australian distributors for Propex geotextiles and erosion control products. US-based Propex is one of the world's leading suppliers of geosynthetics. Global Synthetics now delivers well-recognised erosion control products, Landlok®, the Pyramat® range of high performance turf reinforcement mats and the Propex range of Geotex® geotextiles. Read more in the release.

Global political and engineering discussions are focusing on sustainability. Reductions in energy consumption are key, particularly in relation to climate-related gases, such as CO2 and CH4. These new goals, while beneficial, pose challenges to the construction industry. Geosynthetics are helping. Read about NAUE's Prof. Georg Heerten and important research being conducted on the beneficial environmental impact of geosynthetics.

Tennessee-based Propex Operating Company, LLC recently concluded the company's first international sales meeting in Chattanooga, Tennessee. More than 100 sales representatives from around the world participated in the two-day meeting from January 29-30. Read more in the release.

TRI/Environmental continues its steady growth, as the latest annual newsletter from the Austin, Texas-based company indicates. Sam Allen, Rick Thomas, Joel Sprague and Rich Lacey continue their high level of activity on industry committees; TRI's lab personnel expertise and 24-hour operation option has resulted in record report turnaround times;new testing equipment has greatly expanded the company's capabilities, especially in interface friction and direct shear testing; the ability to test soil specimens with our direct simple shear apparatus is new in 2010; the Denver Down Research Facility (DDRF), a first-of-its-kind large-scale erosion and sediment control performance systems, has received GAI-LAP accreditation; and much more. Read TRI's annual letter for the full story.

In response to several North American polypropylene suppliers declaring force majeure, Propex Operating Company, LLC will be raising prices across all four of its global business units - Flooring Solutions, Geosynthetics, Concrete Solutions and Performance Technologies. The amount of the increase will range from 12 - 20% varying by business unit and location. Read more.

Huge investments in India’s road infrastructure will translate to big opportunities for geotextiles manufacturers, the Government believes. But Reena Mital learns why the country’s industry is more cautious. Learn more here.;

AASHTO's National Transportation Product Evaluation Program (NTPEP) January 2010 report on Erosion Control Product (ECP) data is available for free download. Products included in this edition of NTPEP Report on ECPs are required to resubmit to NTPEP every three years. In addition to the voluntary submissions and independent testing information, NTPEP includes "drop dates" for when products are set to expire. Read the report here (PDF). Learn more here.;

In May, when participants from around the world arrive in Guaruja, São Paulo, Brazil for the 9th International Conference on Geosynthetics (9ICG), they'll have many hotel beachfront hotel options. The conference organizers have announced that a local travel agency has arranged for special rates at more than just the conference hotel, the Sofitel Jequitimar Hotel. Attendees may also choose from several hotels located at the beaches of Enseada and Pernambuco. Read more and guarantee your best rate no matter where you stay during 9ICG.

The India-based Business Coordination House (BCH), which is involved in, among other things, the creation and promotion of geotextile and other geosynthetic seminars and companies in India, has released its January-March 2010 newsletter. This issue includes an article on an Indian government program to spur jute geotextile manufacture and study (page 15), Agru America's ClosureTurf capping system (page 30), and an article on "Jute Fibres in Geosynthetics" from Dr. G.V. Rao (page 42). Read the issue in PDF. Learn more here.;