Transportation

Periodic in-service measurements--including high pressure oxidative induction time, carbonyl index (FTIR), and stress cracking resistance--should provide a few years advance warning of exposed high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) liner end-of-life (EOL), thereby preventing unexpected very expensive catastrophic liner failures.

Whales (bubbles above the water level) in a lined wastewater pond are usually caused by leaking water that cannot be removed, which in turn generates methane that also cannot be removed. Minimize leakage through the liner (there will inevitably be some), provide a functioning leakage removal (monitoring) system, and a functioning gas venting system. A nonwoven geotextile alone under the geomembrane is not sufficient to do this.

Liner designers and regulators should note that it is NOT possible to perform a geoelectric integrity or leak location survey on a double geomembrane lining system when there is only a geocomposite in the leakage detection system (LDS) between the two geomembranes unless the LDS is backfilled with water. This can be costly, time-consuming, and even damaging to the liner if it is uplifted. Additional ballast on the liner may be required. And side slope liners cannot be tested. Plan ahead and use conductive geomembrane, or place a conductive geotextile or a geosynthetic clay liner (GCL) directly under the primary geomembrane.

The Business Coordination House (BCH) of India has published its latest quartlerly newsletter. This issue contains articles on the world economy (and the importance of emerging markets, such as India), geosynthetic applications in railways, agrotextiles, an interview with a government official on manufacturing, and more. Read it in PDF via the BCH website. Learn more here.;

Geosynthetics 2009 is the largest geosynthetics industry event in North America. This biennial event will explore important issues affecting water resources, mining, construction, and regulatory communities in the US, Canadian and Mexican markets. Register by 16 January 2009 to secure the best rates. The event will take place 25-27 February 2009 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

We're seeing a high volume of articles appear regarding how various states control fly ash disposal from coal-fired power plants. The Tennessee Valley Authority's ash reservoir collapse has highlighted how dangerous coal ash disposal can be--especially in the absence of regulation. The New York Times today has published a piece on the lack of regulation in this particular waste sector, and about the tremendous range of uses fly ash (including elevated arsenic levels) has been put to: road aggregate, agricultural soil stability, remediation, and much more. Learn more here.;

In 2003, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) rejected more costly solutions to fix the coal-ash landfill at TVA's power plant in Kingston, Tennessee. These solutions would have included the types of walls and containment liners used in other waste facilities but which are not required in most states for fly ash. After rejecting options that cost up to $25 million, the TVA installed trenches and other drainage mechanisms in an attempt to relieve the water pressure. Last month, the walls burst and flooded 300 acres of land with contaminated coal ash. Learn more here.;

TRI/Environmental has steadily (often quietly) added to its testing and training business over the years, but 2008 may have its most significant. New hires (including industry veteran Rich Lacey) have strengthened the efficiency and skill of TRI's work; new testing equipment has greatly expanded the company's capabilities, especially in geotechnical areas; TRI has achieved AASHTO's American Materials Research Laboratory (AMRL) certification; electrical resistivity testing training continues with participants coming from all over the world; the Denver Downs large-scale testing facility is maturing; and much more. It's been an important 2008 and bodes well for a strong future. Read TRI's annual letter for the full story.

On 27 February 2009, the Geosynthetic Institute will deliver the 22nd installment of its GRI conference series. GRI-22 has been formed under the title "It's All in the Details." These shorter, discussion-prompting presentations will group under the headings of materials and testing, field installation, field performance, and new devices, concepts and presentations. Though a one-day event, GRI-22 is going to be as full as one would hope. Seventeen presentations will be given, as will time for discussion. It's a can't miss event in the geosynthetics field. We encourage everyone to attend--GRI-22 is co-located with Geosynthetics 2009 (Salt Lake City, 25-27 February 2009). Here is the final program for the event, courtesy of Drs. Robert and George Koerner of the Geosynthetic Institute.

Ireland's Sunday Business Post has published short interview's with 10 businesses on surviving, and even thriving, in a down economy. The last section in the article includes an interview with FLI Environmental's Michael Flynn. "...we will all just have to find a new way of doing business," Flynn says. "This year will be all about sharpening our focus and controlling our costs." Read more in the Post. Learn more here.;

Propex Inc.'s Melissa Chastney--Southeast Regional Manager of Sales, Geosynthetics--has married, according to an announcement in Gulf Breeze News. We wish her and her husband Jack Grace all the best. Learn more here.;

NAUE's geosynthetic business has truly become global. A brief news piece from Germany looks at the company's work from Espelkamp and Lübbecke, its reinforcement and barrier technologies, and key personnel. (In German.) Learn more here.;

When businessman Ashok Bwanani wanted to get involved with the 6,000-miles of new interstate construction in India, he sought an international partner who could provide geosynthetic reinforcement expertise. Using the internet, he found Strata Systems. Soon enough, Strata India was born. And the rest, as they say, is history. Read the story of how these opposides of the world are working together to build a better infrastructure. Learn more here.;

It seems like the broadcasts began only yesterday, but indeed the truth of the matter is that the Erosion and Sediment Control Network (ESCN.tv) has reached its 200th episode! Congratulations are due to Land and Water magazine and the ESCN team for their years of work on this unique service to the industry. This week's online broadcast includes not just the week's news but a nice montage of the path to 200 and various congratulatory statements from industry figures such as Laurie Honnigford, Marc Theissen, Scott Nelson, Mark Myrowich and Russ Adsit. Learn more here.;

Belgium-based EDANA, an association that represents nonwovens and related industries, has appointed Abby Bailey as its new Marketing and Communications Director. Bailey is an Australian citizen with more than 10 years experience in communications and marketing, and has supported the corporate marketing and communications strategy, issues management and media engagement programs for a number of large companies across a diverse rage of areas, from transport and logistics to telecommunications and public services.

geosynthetica posts its first CEN Standards Watch: a breakdown of the standards currently under development or up for approval with Europe-based CEN's Technical Committee 189 (CEN/TC 189), which focuses on geosynthetics. Other important groups will be monitored as we move forth in this tracking of international standards formation. Read the first update here.

PGI members voted to grow the PVC Geomembrane Institute to the Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI). The FGI—like the PGI—is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the use of fabricated geomembranes through education, research, and technology transfer. PVC geomembranes will continue to be an important part of the FGI, but the FGI will also include all geomembranes that are factory fabricated. Read more about it.

ASCE's job board includes a call for a full-time geotechnical "Research Associate 3 or 4." The position is with the Louisiana Transportation Research Center (LTRC) at Louisiana State University (LSU). Among the requirements one finds a desired background that includes "analysis of geosynthetic reinforced subgrade and base materials, and accelerated load testing…." Read more at ASCE's page. Learn more here.;

We've found that the 13-19 December 2008 issue of the UK-based newspaper The Economist is loaded with engineering-ready fodder, from an extensive report on India and China's needs (and what the world economy needs from those nations) to an editorial and coverage on President-elect Barack Obama's proposed massive spending on improving American infrastructure. Some articles are available free online. Learn more here.;

Propex Geosynthetics has released a new website in support of its ArmorMax™ Anchor Reinforced Vegetation System product line. The site features a wealth of information about ArmorMax, including features and benefits, case studies, a downloadable product brochure, and how the product is used as a permanent solution for structural and non-structural applications. Read more in and link to the site from the release.

The 9th International Conference on Geosynthetics (9ICG) has extended its Call for Papers to 15 January 2009. Abstracts are sought on key topics such as drainage, mining, durability and long-term performance, transportation, hydraulic applications, new products and much more. The 9ICG will be held 23-27 May 2010 in Guaruja, São Paulo, Brazil, under the auspices of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS). Learn more here.;

India-based Fibre 2 Fashion has published an interview with Suresh Kannan, Vice President, SRF Limited. Mr. Kannan comments on the importance of growing sectors in India. Of note, he cites Indian government support for research and development and new spending initiatives to produce an infrastructure capable of sustaining growth. Road construction, waste management, airport runways and coastal erosion control are expected to be major sectors. Agrotech also shows promise. Read more. Learn more here.;

The latest conference update from the Asia Mining Congress 2009 is available. The current issue includes information on the latest speakers from mining, manufacturing, governments, and investment groups; workshops; sponsors; and the most current event brochure. The conference will be held 23-27 March 2009, Singapore. Read the newsletter online. Learn more here.;

Canada's wealth of oil is considered the world's second largest supply by many measurements, but the lionshare of it is trapped in sand and rock. Oil sands extraction and conversion is energy intensive and, especially in the suddenly affordable oil market, costly. But oil will remain a high demand item, and oil sands are a major extraction point for the future--and that means significantly better environmental controls are needed. A report released by the Canadian non-profit group Environment Defense indicates that 11 million liters leaks from oil sands tailings pits and processing cycles each day. If the major planned sites go online, that daily rate could rise to 72 million liters per day. Learn more here.;

The organizers of GeoAfrica 2009 have opened the registration section of the conference website. The event has received tremendous support in abstract submissions--more than double the expected and from 26 countries--and exhibitors (all space nearly sold out). This is shaping up to be a can't-miss event. Visit the conference website's new registration page. Learn more here.;