The 2011 International Achievement Awards from the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) have been announced. Thirty-three categories are included in the annual IAA competition. The winners are usually announced during the IFAI Expo Americas event (which is currently wrapping up in Baltimore).
In the Geosynthetic Projects categories, TenCate Geosynthetics, Ace Geosynthetics and Agru America were recognized.
TenCate took home the category’s Award of Excellence for its project titled “Geotextile Reinforced Soil Retaining Wall for Hetaoyu Mine Coal Processing Plant.” The Hong Kong site involved reinforced soil construction for a major power company’s new coal-processing site. Among the project’s key points, soil bags with Mirafi® PET geotextile were used in an envelope facing technique to prevent surface erosion during construction. In the project summary on the IAA website, TenCate notes, “The retaining wall system was economical, required comparatively shorter construction time than other alternative systems, allowed local borrowed fill to be used, is able to withstand earthquake forces and can provide resistance against surface erosion during and after the construction period.”
The coal-processing site construction included more than 510,000 sq m of geosynthetic materials from TenCate.
ACE Geosynthetics earned an Outstanding Achievement Award for a project under the name “Application of Complex Reinforced Structure Near Fault Zone.” This project also utilized a wraparound facing (with ACE geogrid), only it was constructed above a reinforced concrete wall on a rebuilt slope. The site in question was a Taiwan Ministry of Transportation-managed roadway within the Ming-Tan Reservoir zone. Multiple small fixes had been performed on the hilly terrain over the years, but a torrential storm finally caused a major landslide.
Constructed now with geosynthetics, the slope and roadway has been reopened to traffic. ACE was also the recipient of an award last year.
Agru America‘s “Timber Ridge Landfill Closure” was also recognized with an Outstanding Achievement Award. This innovative project involved the capping of a 9-acre waste area with the company’s ClosureTurf system. The unique system involves woven geotextiles with tufted UV-resistant polyethylene grass over a 50 mm linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) structured drainage geomembrane. Sand infill is also included. The integral 3.6 mm studs on the geomembrane top surface facilitate drainage, while integral 4.4 mm spikes on the underside provide friction for cover stability. The synthetic turf and sand ballast provide sufficient interface friction to provide stability without the need for anchoring. Additionally, the synthetic grass gives the site a natural look. These systems allow for longer services lives for the active landfilling period and safe, quick closure and containment.
Visit the International Achievement Awards website to view these and other winning projects:
http://www.ifaipublications.com/iaa/geosyntheticprojects
