Start the week with the latest in the geoengineering world. Here’s the GeoWire conversation for the week of June 22. WORK SMARTER.
THE LEAD
June 23 is International Women in Engineering Day! As you navigate social media, be sure to recognize your colleagues and use hashtags #ShapeTheWorld and #INWED20.
BIG PROJECTS
CERN is an extraordinary research endeavor. The entity is currently working towards constructing a USD $23 billion, 100km super collider loop.
California‘s massive Sites Reservoir proposal may have been halved due to cost concerns (north of USD $5 billion), but it remains a fascinating strategy for countering dry years for much of the state. Construction may start in 2023.
Though COVID has halted some major lithium mining in South America, other materials such as copper and gold are seeing renewed activity at large sites.
Resource Recommendation: ACEC‘s Guide to Returning to the Office and Job Site in the Time of COVID
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Tree planting has accelerated around the world in response to climate change. This movement is perhaps helping a fringe theory get a few more listeners: that forests are not only important for oxygen and rain; they create winds.
The Women in Deep Foundations Committee of the Deep Foundations Institute has released a video on the topic of “What Is Geotechnical Engineering?”. The video highlights how geotechnical design and construction contributes to infrastructure … as well as underscores how much of this work is carried out by women engineers.
Vice reminds us that 71% of all carbon emissions are produced by just 100 companies.
FINANCE
Just published! Financing Stormwater Utilities, 2nd Edition. This volume, available through APWA, is a good prep for the Certified Stormwater Manager exam.
The NY Times looks at how sea level rises and continued climate crisis is a greater threat to home financing and ownership than any mortgage crisis. Economies are cyclical, but environmental change requires a massive rethink in how we plan, protect, and support communities–and where we can sustain them.
GEOSYNTHETICS
NAUE has new SecuCalc software for base layer thickness design for roads, paths, parking lots, storage yards, etc.
GeoU 2020 (November) reminds us that geosynthetics help design more sustainable landfills.
Geosynthetica’s GeoTalk Podcast wants to interview YOU.
GOVERNMENT
The US House of Representatives is preparing a USD $1.5 trillion infrastructure bill, according to Politico. Roads and water are major piece of the still-in-development legislation.
#GreenRecovery: Countries like France are putting together funding to help cities convert their temporary green solutions during COVID into permanent infrastructure redesign.
Australia looks to invest in pumped storage hydropower to de-carbonize its electrical grid.
JOBS
Solmax seeks a lab technician to join its team in Kingstree, South Carolina, USA. It also has positions open in Houston, Canada, and Egypt.
The US Federal Highway Administration is adding Engineering Technician positions in Vancouver, Washington. Open to US and Canadian applicants.
As construction projects move forward, there will be an increased need for geosynthetic lining system installers. Geosynthetica recommends that you visit the websites of International Association of Geosynthetic Installers (IAGI) for open positions. View IAGI’s directory under “Membership.”
TECHNOLOGY
HUESKER has a free app for its Fortrac reinforcement systems. For iPhones and Android phones.
Robot divers might aid in the fight to save coral reefs.
Track the Saharan dust plume that’s making its way over the Atlantic Ocean right now.
This is the June 22, 2020 GeoWire from Geosynthetica. GeoWire is published on Mondays with thought-leading links to help infrastructure professionals work smarter. News and ideas to share? Contact us.
Previous GeoWire Editions
June 15, 2020
June 8, 2020
June 1, 2020
