Liner and Bentonite to Save Wilderness Dam

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The Canyon Creek Irrigation District manages the water in the Bitterroot National Forest, which covers parts of Montana and Idaho. A sinkhole at a wilderness dam's embankment has caused considerable concern. The U.S. Forestry Service has approved an emergency repair (skipping the public approval process) using bentonite to fill the hole and an impermeable liner on the dam's facing. Materials are being flown in. Learn more here.;

Peggs to Lead Course in Wyoming

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Ian D. Peggs, PhD, PE of I-CORP International will conduct a one-day seminar and workshop on the subject of geoelectric liner leak location and liner integrity surveys. The workshop, to he held October 14, 2010 in Laramie, Wyoming, is co-sponsored by Solid Waste Professionals of Wyoming, Peak GeoSolutions and Tri-Hydro Corporation. Topics will include an overview of the geoelectric technique; a discussion of allowable leakage rates; designing for leak location; leak location as an integral part of geomembrane CQA and a brief discussion of alternate leak location methodologies. The seminar is open to solid waste regulatory agencies and MSW landfill operators as well as operators of industrial waste sites, wastewater treatment facilities, consultants to these industries and, in fact, anyone who uses geomembrane for containment. Additional information can be obtained by contacting Bill Hensley @ 307-554-0982. Learn more here.;

35-Mile-Long Tunnel in Alps to be World's Longest

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Crews are blasting through the Alps as they work to build what will be the world's longest tunnel, the Gotthard Base Tunnel between Zurich, Switzerland, and Milan, Italy. The 35-mile tunnel will host trains running through the Alps. "For such a huge project, you have to construct from different sites, because if you start at one portal and then on the other end, you need 20 or more years for the construction of the entire system," said Heinz Ehrbar, chief construction officer with contractor AlpTransit. Learn more here.;

Rural America: No Escape for Highway Capacity Crisis, Study Says

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A new report is calling for additional investment in the nation's transportation network, particularly in rural highways. According to the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, rural highways could use a $600 billion injection to boost their capacity and improve safety.

ASTM F17 Update

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ASTM International's work item WK30113, "Standard Test Method for Apparent Hoop Tensile Strength of Plastic or Reinforced Plastic Pipe by Split Disk Method," is a work item revision to existing standard D2290-08 from Committee F17 on Plastic Piping Systems. Learn more here.;

Malaysian Road Development on Geotextiles

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Hock Seng Lee Bhd (HSL), Sarawak-based infrastructure and marine engineering specialist, has secured a new project in Tanjung Manis worth RM47.1 million. The route will traverse low-lying coastal terrain and involves two reinforced concrete bridges and several culverts over minor waterways. The swampy soil conditions will necessitate extensive reclamation and geotechnical engineering works including use of a significant amount of geotextile fabric and piling. Learn more here.;

CNN's iReport on Geomembranes in Pakistan

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International news network CNN has published an iReport on water preservation in Pakistan with the help of geomembrane containment technology. The story takes a peek at work performed by the Sukaarr Foundation Trust (SFT), an organization that has launched rainwater harvesting projects in Pakistan. The SFT is a non-governmental organization and has used geomembranes in the creation of lined ponds to halt the problematic seepage that has characterized and plagued so many community water sources. Learn more here.;

Wind Energy Investment Fading in Economy

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The American Wind Energy Association has announced that with only 700 MW added in the second quarter of 2010, wind power installations to date this year have dropped by 57% and 71% from 2008 and 2009 levels, respectively. Manufacturing investment also continues to lag below 2008 and 2009 levels. AWEA and a broad coalition of renewable energy, labor, utility, and environmental organizations are calling on Congress with an urgent appeal to put in place a strong national renewable electricity standard to spur demand for renewable energy, attract manufacturing investment, and save and create jobs. Learn more here.;

India Building 5-Mile Tunnel Through Mountains

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India is digging a huge tunnel to bypass a treacherous Himalayan mountain pass known locally as "Pile of Corpses." The $320 million project is expected to take 5 years to complete and will create a five-mile tunnel buried a mile deep beneath the mountain range's snow-covered rocks. "Once this tunnel is complete, it will be an engineering marvel for the whole nation," said P.K. Mahajan, the project's chief engineer. Learn more here.;

Returning a Park to Recreation

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The Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment has approved Phase I plans for the restoration of Central City Park in Westland. Bids are about to be released. The park has been closed since November 2006 after lead contamination levels in the soils were deemed too great. The site's transformation will include a geotextile cover over contaminated zones. Thirty-three of the park's 64 acres will be involved in the creation of new fields, paths, and a pavilion. Learn more here.;

Patent Application: Sensor-Enabled Geosynthetic

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Kianoosh Hatami and Brian Grady have applied for a patent regarding a "Sensor-Enabled Geosynthetic Material and Method of Making and Using the Same." Published 22 July 2010, and with application number 20100180691, the sensor-enabled geosynthetic material includes a polymeric material and an electrically conductive filler. Read more. Learn more here.;

Gujarat, India: Lining minor canals necessary to prevent seepage

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The canal irrigation system in the Indian state of Gujarat loses roughly half of the water it carries because its smaller canals do not have linings, a study has revealed. Research was conducted by the Indian Institute of Management - Ahmedabad (IIM-A) and the Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT). Recent breaches of canals under construction have revealed the difficult soil situation and how quickly erosion and scour can undermine an embankment in the Gujarat system. Learn more here.;

Guyana's Hope Relief Canal Nears Construction

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The National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) in the South America nation of Guyana is nearing construction. The first two of three bids for construction oversight and activities have been published in Guyana's major newspapers. The third bid part is expected to be issued soon and will address the supply of geotextile material for the construction and the associated drainage. The project is identified in the bids as the East Demerara Water Conservancy (EDWC) Northern Relief Channel. Learn more here.;

New Thoughts on HDPE Pipe Durability in Chlorine-Containing Water

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A recent report on a study of the expected lifetime of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes containing chlorinated potable waters adds a new, and perhaps primary, parameter to the conventional parameters of stress-cracking resistance (SCR), oxidative induction time (OIT), and carbonyl index (CI) for the determination of remaining lifetime of HDPE piping. The new parameter is the oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) of the water which seems to be more proportional to HDPE lifetime than any of the other parameters. Lifetimes in excess of 100 yr in properly designed and installed piping systems are proposed. This ORP approach should also be applicable to HDPEs in contact with landfill leachates and waste waters. It will also most likely be applicable to fPP geomembranes and may, in fact, be the key to understanding the durability problems experienced over the last 10 to 15 years in potable water reservoir fPP liners and floating covers.

EPA Announces $16 Million in Brownfields Funds to Clean up Communities

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced more than $16 million in supplemental funding for cleanup efforts at contaminated sites known as brownfields. Communities representing 27 state or local governments were chosen to receive the supplemental funding, which will help them carry out cleanup activities, redevelopment projects, and create jobs for people living near brownfields sites. Brownfields are sites where expansion, redevelopment, or reuse may be complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant.

ASTM Update: Puncture Resistance

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ASTM International Committee D35 on Geosynthetics has issued work item WK29717, Standard Test Method for Index Puncture Resistance of Geomembranes and Related Products. This is a work item revision to existing standard D4833-07. Learn more here.;

ASTM Update: Microbial Degradation

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ASTM International Committee D35 on Geosynthetics has issued work item WK29735, New Practice for Laboratory Immersion Procedures for Evaluating the Microbial Degradation of Geomembranes. Learn more here.;

ASTM Update: Handling Geomembrane Rolls

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ASTM International Committee D35 on Geosynthetics has issued work item WK29737, Guide for Identification, Storage, and Handling of Geomembrane Rolls. Learn more here.;

How to Become an Effective Delegator

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Writing for the business blog BNET, Jay Steinfeld (CEO, Blinds.com) notes that the best leaders don't need to get their hands dirty. It's tempting to try to do everything and make every decision yourself, he writes, but leaders who don't learn to let go eventually become a constraint on their company's growth. Relax and learn to delegate and you'll be able to focus on the big picture. Read "How to Become an Effective Delegator" online. Learn more here.;

SOPREMA Pursues Its International Strategy by Opening New Sales Offices in Dubai and Melbourne

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The North American subsidiary of the SOPREMA Group is pleased to announce the opening of new sales offices in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and in Melbourne, Australia. Already active in these thriving regions for some time now, SOPREMA management has decided to begin operations there permanently thanks to growing interest in its high quality waterproofing materials.

Sydney Tar Ponds Agency – Tender Issued for Protective Cap

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The Sydney Tar Ponds Agency (Nova Scotia, Canada) has released a tender for the construction of a protective cap over treated tar ponds sediment. The cap will lead to the reclamation of nearly 240 acres of land. Construction of the multi-layer protective cap will begin in the fall, and is scheduled for completion in summer, 2013. It will include a grading/bedding layer, a geosynthetic clay layer, a geocomposit drainage layer, protective fill, topsoil and hydro seed. The government of Canada and province of Nova Scotia committed $400 million to ensure the Tar Ponds and Coke Ovens cleanup is completed by 2014.

Technical Textile Innovators Presented State-Of-The Science Advancements At IFAI Advanced Textiles Paris Conference

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on the success of the first two IFAI Advanced Textiles conferences (in Berlin and Brussels), IFAI presented a third successful edition in Paris 16-17 June, in the modern Congress facilities of UICP (right next to the Eiffel Tower). The Industrial Fabrics Association International hosted 70 participants from Europe and the U.S. at the 2010 conference, which focused on major applications of technical textiles and investigated new technology solutions and material aspects. Twenty-three exciting lectures gave insights into interesting applications in the areas of medical, architecture, protection and security; as well as sports and agriculture. Read more.

Sanchez and Wingfield to Speak at Sustainability Session

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Just prior to the opening of IFAI Expo Americas 2010 (27-29 October 2010, Orlando, Florida) a special business track will be held. A session of note within the business track is "Sustainable Design Green Roofs and Landscapes." It takes place Tuesday, October 26, from 6:00 - 9:00 pm at the conference site in Orlando. Presenters include Marco Sanchez (Azoteas Verdes), Allan Wingfield (Colbond Inc.), Bruce Dvorak (Texas A&M University), and Nicole Eisenhardt (Tecta America Corp.). Both Sanchez and Wingfield bring considerable experience in geosynthetics to the session. Learn more.

IECA Remembers Dunlap as a Leader and a Scholar

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Dr. Sherri L. Dunlap, MBA, D.Eng., CPESC, of Houston, TX, passed away on June 25, 2010 at the age of 54. Dunlap was the Applied Technology and New Product Manager for the Harris County Flood Control District in Houston. While her specialty was erosion control -- vegetative and engineered and combinations of the two, she introduced technology to HCFCD by coordinating seminars and webinars. She made technology more available for HCFCD, its engineering consultants and others by sponsoring the creation of design manuals such as the HCFCD Design, Installation, and Maintenance Manual for Gabion Structures. Read more about her.

Managing Bridge Expansion Joint Noise with Geotextile

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TransLink in British Columbia, Canada will install three materials to try and mitigate the noisiness of the expansion joints of the Golden Ears Bridge near Vancouver. Three materials are: a neoprene elastic-type product, similar to wetsuit material, that it already installed in one of the joints at the north end of the bridge; a spray foam made in Japan by a subsidiary of Mageba, the Swiss firm that made the steel expansion joints; and a geotextile fabric. Learn more here.;
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