By L. David Suits - The North American Geosynthetics Society's (NAGS) 2015 Student Paper Award was presented to Daniel Jones, an engineering student at Queen's University (Canada) at Geosynthetics 2015 in Portland, Oregon. Jones was presented with a USD $500 award and will receive an invitation to present his winning paper in a special session at GeoAmericas 2016, the 3rd Pan-American...

Strata Systems has grown significantly in its international presence in recent years. Growth has followed a steady and diverse plan in developing product lines (e.g., StrataWeb®), investing in emerging markets (e.g., Indian and Brazilian infrastructure), and adding people. The company has just announced the addition of an industry veteran as Strata’s new International Sales Manager: Phil McGoldrick. McGoldrick, who is...

In its February 2015 newsletter, international geosynthetics and affiliated civil technologies manufacturer Maccaferri focused on two geotechnical software tools. These products are dedicated to assisting pavement design and improving fluid drainage. DOWNLOAD A COPY OF THE NEWSLETTER (PDF) Visit Maccaferri's Design Software Page The publication is part of a special supplement created by Maccaferri for its involvement with the Geosynthetics 2015 conference,...

Geotextiles have been developed and installed in civil engineering projects since the 1950s. Largely emerging in response to flooding and storm events in the Netherlands and the United States, these synthetic “technical textiles” have grown substantially in use. They commonly provide cushioning and protection, filtration and drainage, and soil separation characteristics. Few geosynthetic-related projects, in fact, do not have some geotextile...

Glen Toepfer's years in construction quality assurance (CQA) have brought him to a diverse range of geosynthetics installation sites. From conventional landfill and pond liner projects to the massive, multi-layer “zero leak” strategy of the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station, Toepfer has seen the good, bad, and ugly that geotechnical engineering works can offer. His field insights have been...

Ten years ago, TRI Environmental held its first liner integrity survey training course. Today, the educational arm of the Austin, Texas-based independent testing services company has grown substantially, offering courses in multiple countries on geomembrane surveys, construction quality assurance (CQA) for geosynthetic and compact clay installations, certifications, and more. CQA Week, a twice-yearly event with short courses centered around electrical...

The February 2015 issue of Geofabrics Journal, published by Geofabrics Australasia, includes a significant focus on railway engineering, including project notes and the many geotechnical solutions within them that utilize geosynthetics. The rounded view of rail works profiles materials, issues of track and subsoil integrity, and Australia’s infrastructure needs—all of which can be extended to understanding geotechnical solutions in...

CHICAGO — February 17 — Leister Technologies AG, the worldwide leader in plastic welding and hot air equipment, will debut its new GEOSTAR wedge welder to the North American geosynthetics audience at Geosynthetics 2015 in Portland, Ore.,  February 17 - 18. Faster, lighter, smarter –the new GEOSTAR wedge welder produces the perfect weld of thermoplastic sheets. “Fast and economical plastic...

On 3 March 2015, the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) UK Chapter will offer a joint meeting of the IGS UK and Yorkshire Geotechnical Group. Presenter Dave Crowther (Maccaferri Ltd.) will present on the enormous, award-winning Pakyong Airport MSE wall in Sikkim, India. The presentation, “The tallest reinforced soil structure in the world?”, will profile 550m wide, 1.7 km long,...

By Maccaferri – Crusher walls, also known as mine dump walls, are used to support vertical or near-vertical grade changes to minimize the footprint of the facility. Hoppers or crushers can be installed within these walls. Mined material is hauled to the upper terrace and unloaded into the hopper/crusher. These large structures are part of the concentration facilities within the...