Transportation

The government of India and INDA, a nonwovens industry association, are teaming up to organize nonwovens and geotextile workshops. The aim is to improve the technical textile knowledge base in the country. Learn more here.;

Geosynthetics magazine editor Ron Bygness has passed along a photo from his recent visit to Korea, where he visited companies, testing laboratories, and university classes. He promises a more detailed outline of the trip will be published in the next issue of Geosynthetics. Read a summary of the soon-to-be-published issue and view the photo in full size. Also, geosynthetica invites you to share your work site and travel images with our readers. Contact chris@geosynthetica.net for more information.

Writing for NJ Biz, Shankar P. analyzes the role lobbyists are playing in influencing the spending of federal stimulus funds. Shankar's article includes mention of Advanced Drainage Systems (ADS) and the company's manufacturing facility in New Jersey. Learn more here.;

Like most segments of our global economies, professional associations and societies have suffered during the current downturn. Civil engineering and affiliated professional associations have certainly not been spared. But the work they do is important to our collective work. We encourage you to take a moment to check on the status of your memberships and to renew them if you find they've lapsed. (Continued.)

The International Erosion Control Association (IECA) is offering a new benefit for members: Expert Chats. The first offering of this online-hosted, interactive event will be held 29 May 2009 from 2:00-3:00 pm (MDT). Phil Handley, REM, CPESC, of the San Antonio Water System will serve as the first expert in the informal chat series. (Continued.)

Don't forget to submit your abstracts to the International Erosion Control Association's (IECA) next Environmental Connection event. EC10 will be held in Dallas, Texas 14-17 Februrary 2010. Abstracts will be accepted through 29 May 2009. "Hot Topics" for 2010 are LEED for new construction, sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation and design process. Learn more here.;

The Institute of Engineers (India) is co-organizing a one-day national workshop on 29 May 2009 for "New Technology and Prospects of Its Commercialisation for Rural Development." Among the many technologies to be discussed: geotextiles for infrastructure. The Indian market must grow quickly to meet the needs of the nation's large population and rapidly expanding economy. Geosynthetics and affiliated technologies are currently underutilized in the overall infrastructure. Learn more here.;

The chair of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) Thailand Chapter, Dennes Bergado, has issued a call for abstracts for December's International Symposium on "Geotechnical Engineering, Ground Improvement, and Geosynthetics for Sustainable Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change including Global Warming. The event will be held 3-4 December 2009 in Bangkok, Thailand. A draft copy of the brochure is available here in PDF. The conference welcomes your abstracts and any interested speaker suggestions.

A large fire destroyed a facility owned by Martek Inc., Burlington, Ontario, Canada. Among the many products carried by Martek are erosion control blankets and geotextiles. Fire officials noted that the size and intensity of the fire was in part fed by the straw and coconut fibers in the ECBs. The polypropylene fibers in some geotextile products also proved to burn quickly. Investigators are still determining what started the blaze. The type of materials stored, however, may indicate that spontaneous combustion played a role. The natural materials present in the construction products mirror those found in barns that experience the same type of sudden fires. Learn more here.;

SKZ, with scientific committee support from Cemagref and the Geosynthetic Institute (GSI), announces the 3rd International Symposium on Geosynthetic Clay Liners, to be held at the Fortress Marienberg in Würzburg, Germany 15-16 September 2010. Abstract and papers for oral or poster presentations are invited on the following topics: Application / case studies (Landfills, Canals, Reservoirs / Dams, Transportation Infrastructure) • Durability / Lifetime • Laboratory testing • Performance (Cation exchange, Desiccation, Experience from excavation • Regulations / Approvals. Abstracts must be submitted via e-mail to: gbr-c2k10@skz.de no later than 30 September 2009. View the flyer in PDF.

The following is a letter sent by Andrew M. Aho, executive director of GMA, to GMA members, regarding the proposed separation geosynthetics study. geosynthetica encourages its readers to contact GMA for more information on how you can help; and we encourage you to send a letter to applicable state and federal officials in support of this important study. Links to sample letters are provided in the article.

The 2010 edition of the Techtextil North America Symposium will be held 18-20 May 2010 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia. The Symposium will have the theme "Moving Forward - Innovation and Technology drive the Future" and will run concurrent with the annual Techtextil North America exhibition. A Call for Papers and Presentations has been issued. Read more.

ScottishPower has flipped the switch--or, the turbines, one might say--on Europe's largest onshore windfarm. The 55 sq. km. site includes 140 wind turbines and can power 180,000 homes. To protect the sensitive peat layers below and allow the site to sustain the heavy traffic loads, project designers used geogrid on all roads.

The Advertising Standards Authority has upheld a challenge made by NAUE that questions whether certain claims in a brochure published by Tensar International could be substantiated. The brochure, "TriAx: A Revolution in Geogrid Technology," detailed the properties and performance advantages of Tensar TriAx geogrids. Within the information in this brochure, Tensar talks about the research that has evolved into a "revolutionary change from a rectangular to a triangular grid aperture." It goes on to say: "This was a revolution in geogrids technology with significant, new improved benefits over the biaxial geogrids." (Continued.)

ASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics' Sam Allen and George Koerner remind readers that proposals are welcomed for the Geosynthetic Research Institute (GRI) / ASTM Workshop on "Geosynthetic Material Durability: Field and Laboratory Experiences," to be held 29 January 2010 in San Antonio, Texas. This important, new workshop will immediately follow the two days of D35's winter meetings. The four segments of the workshop will focus on long-term field experiences; accelerated weathering studies; polymers and additives packages; and a panel discussion. Abstracts for presentations will be accepted through 30 September 2009. Read more about the event.

TenCate™ Geosynthetics has designed a brochure focusing on high performance geotextiles for haul roads. These include Mirafi® HP-Series woven geotextiles, comprised of high tenacity polypropylene yarns. One of the primary uses of geosynthetics has been and remains the stabilization of subgrades for haul roads. Almost every construction project has a need for a geosynthetically-stabilized aggregate, from access roads to construction entrance roads, to staging areas, and to working platforms. (Continued.)

The International Erosion Control Association (IECA) has extended the window for proposals to EC10 through 29 May 2009. IECA organizes its work into 8 technology sections: slopes, stream restoration, vegetative establishment, stormwater management, wetlands, erosion and sediment control, beach and shoreline stabilization, and wind erosion. The "Hot Topics" for 2010 are LEED for new construction, sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation and design process. EC10 will be held in Dallas, Texas 14-17 February 2010. Read more at IECA's site. Learn more here.;

GeoAfrica 2009 is the first African regional conference on geosynthetics. The event, to be held under the auspices of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) and hosted by the Geosynthetics Interest Group of South Africa (GIGSA), will take place 2 - 5 September 2009 in Cape Town. Organizers have just announced an extension of the early-bird registration rate to 30 June 2009. The conference is shaping up to be a grand one, with more than 100 papers over three days, a sold-out exhibit hall and plenty of networking opportunities.

With an estimated 15 million tons of additional polymerization capacity coming on line in the Middle East in the next three years, the region stands to become a major plastics processing center. Will geosynthetics be part of this boom in production? How will the Middle East's growth affect global markets? Applied Market Information (AMI) is presenting a one-day seminar to tackle this subject: "The Middle East Plastics Industry Strategy Seminar." AMI's Strategic Research Manager John Nash writes on the event, which will be offered three times (In Dubai and Brussels in June; and in Cologne in October). Read more.

In the 14 May 2009 Business Week S&P Ratings News, Thomas Nadramia writes on how the drop in construction spending was faster and steeper than anticipated; and how stimulus funds might help the industry's recovery. He notes that original stimulus estimates would be close to $300 billion for infrastructure; but that the actual impact may be closer to $130 billion. A focus on roads and water is apparent. And states like California and Texas are sure to benefit more than others. Learn more here.;

Applied Market Information (AMI) has released the program for Waterproof Membranes 2009, which will be held in Duesseldorf, Germany from 19-21 October 2009. On the geotechnical side of things, the speaker list includes Chris Kelsey of geosynthetica, Vladimir Nosko of Sensor, Gottfried Niederkrattenhaler of Agru Austria, Catrin Tarnowski from GSE, Roland von Ah of Leister, Jose Miguel Munoz Gomez of Sotrafa, and Stefan Ultsch of Dow (Europe). See the full list in the program PDF. Learn more here.;

The International Erosion Control Association (IECA) is accepting abstracts for its annual conference through May 15. EC10 will be held in Dallas, Texas 14-17 February 2010. IECA organizes its work into 8 technology sections: slopes, stream restoration, vegetative establishment, stormwater management, wetlands, erosion and sediment control, beach and shoreline stabilization, and wind erosion. The "Hot Topics" for 2010 are LEED for new construction, sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation and design process. Read more at IECA's site. Learn more here.;

On 11 May 2009, US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) adminstrator Lisa P. Jackson's testified before the United States Senate Environment and Public Works Committee to defend the administration's $10 billion+ budget. The new budget, as proposed, includes $3.9 billion for water infrastructure.

The week opens with two work item announcements from ASTM International. Both items are revision proposals from Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and are related to rolled erosion control products: WK24125, Revision of D6459-07 Standard Test Method for Determination of Rolled Erosion Control Product (RECP) Performance in Protecting Hillslopes from Rainfall-Induced Erosion; and WK24126, Revision of D6460-07 Standard Test Method for Determination of Rolled Erosion Control Product (RECP) Performance in Protecting Earthen Channels from Stormwater-Induced Erosion. Track the latest on our ASTM Update page.

SKZ, with scientific committee support from Cemagref and the Geosynthetic Institute (GSI), announces the 3rd International Symposium on Geosynthetic Clay Liners, to be held at the Fortress Marienberg in Würzburg, Germany 15-16 September 2010. Abstract and papers for oral or poster presentations are invited on the following topics: Application / case studies (Landfills, Canals, Reservoirs / Dams, Transportation Infrastructure) • Durability / Lifetime • Laboratory testing • Performance (Cation exchange, Desiccation, Experience from excavation • Regulations / Approvals. Abstracts must be submitted via e-mail to: gbr-c2k10@skz.de no later than 30 September 2009. View the flyer in PDF.