Ground Improvement

The first quarter of the year is a time of renewing professional society memberships, and it is also often a time of elections. Readers are encouraged to renew their North American Geosynthetics Society (NAGS) memberships now…as well as take part in the NAGS Elections. From now through February 21, members of NAGS—the North American chapter of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS)—will be able to vote for the President Elect position and a Vice President spot.

GSE Holding, Inc. has announced its acquisition of all of the equity interests of SynTec, LLC, a Baltimore, Maryland-based manufacturer of geosynthetics that complement GSE's well-known containment geosynthetics. SynTec has revenues of approximately $20 million. Co-Founders Giovanni Capra and Aigen Zhao, both of whom are veterans of the field, will remain with GSE after the acquisition.

The International Geosynthetics Society (www.geosyntheticssociety.org) has announced its selection of Prof. Richard J. Bathurst, P.Eng., Ph.D., FEIC, FCAE, to deliver the 2014 Giroud Lecture—one of the Society's highest distinctions. Since its first awarding in 1998, the Giroud Lecture has recognized exceptional achievement and influence in the field of geosynthetics and has been delivered every four years at the opening of the International Conferences on Geosynthetics, organized by the IGS. Dr. Bathurst is only the fifth to be bestowed this honor and will present the lecture at the opening of the 10th International Conference on Geosynthetics (10 ICG), Berlin, Germany, 21–25 September 2014. Learn more.

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and in particular the traditional Gulf Council Cooperation (GCC) states (e.g., United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar) have played a strong role in the geosynthetics field for many years. Most often, however, recognition has been given only to companies active on the raw materials side of the business, such as the extraction of petroleum and natural gas, which are subsequently used to manufacture polymers, which in turn influence the properties and performance of geosynthetics manufactured everywhere. The continued expansion of Mattex Geosynthetics, headquartered in Dubai (UAE), tells a different story and is more emblematic of the region's growing influence on the manufacturing side of geosynthetics.

The Layfield Group of Companies has announced the formation of a new business unit: Engineered Membranes & Films (EMF). The move is part of a major capital expansion project at Layfield which includes a new state-of-the-art wide width geomembrane extrusion line. The new line will provide an additional 23 million pounds (10.5 million kilograms) of geomembrane capacity in various widths and thicknesses.

Randy Massingill is now a member of ProTech Environmental Supply, a division of L & M Supply. Randy was first introduced to the erosion and sediment control industry by C. Joel Sprague of TRI Environmental, where together they built and ran a large-scale erosion and control materials and systems testing and research facility. There, he accrued a hands on knowledge of the installation and performance of multiple erosion control devices. Learn more about Massingill's new role.

During the ASTM D35 meetings in Jacksonville, Florida this week, a special workshop will be held on the current use of AOS in geotextile characterization tests, the availability of a more accurate pore size distribution test via an existing standard, and new equipment that may begin a process of change. Tencate published a technical note on these issues, in fact, in August 2011. Download a copy here.

As reported two weeks ago, organizers for GéoMontréal 2013 have extended the deadline for submission of abstracts to February 1. All interested participants in this event are strongly encouraged to submit their abstracts immediately. The conference will be held at the Hilton Montreal Bonaventure Hotel in Montreal, Quebec, Canada 29 September – 3 October 2013. Organized by the Canadian Geotechnical Society (CGS) in collaboration with the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH/CNC) and the North American Geosynthetics Society (NAGS), GeoMontreal provides an exceptional opportunity to interact with the entire North American geotechnical community. The geosynthetics field should play a strong role in this 66th Canadian Geotechnical Conference. The theme "Geoscience for Sustainability" ties in with much of the current research and marketing of geosynthetic materials.

When ASTM International Committee D35 on Geosynthetics meets in Jacksonville, Florida (30 January – 1 February 2013) during its regularly scheduled winter committee week meeetings, a special workshop on pore size distribution (PSD) in geotextiles will be held. The workshop takes place Wednesday, January 30 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. Of note at this workshop, a far more accurate test for PSD will be discussed along with newly available equipment that will enable manufacturers and laboratories to perform the more accurate test.

American Excelsior Company is entering its 125th year of business success, which is a milestone for any company. Unique to the company's longevity is that it is still making one of the same products it did 125 years ago: "excelsior." In the company's release, a bit of the history of development is included, including the various markets in which it has work. Most readers of Geosynthetica know the firm from its long history in erosion control. Learn more.

A proposed new ASTM International standard will provide a test method to give index performance for both established and new geogrids, which are products used for the reinforcement and stabilization of roads, railways, airports, docks and other trafficked areas. ASTM WK39646, Test Method for Multi-Axial Low-Strain Tension Test for Geogrids and Geotextiles, is being developed by Subcommittee D35.01 on Mechanical Properties, part of ASTM International Committee D35 on Geosynthetics.

Organizers for GéoMontréal 2013 have announced that the deadline for submission of abstracts has been extended to February 1. The conference will be held at the Hilton Montreal Bonaventure Hotel in Montreal, Quebec, Canada 29 September - 3 October 2013. Organized by the Canadian Geotechnical Society (CGS) in collaboration with the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH/CNC) and the North American Geosynthetics Society (NAGS), GeoMontreal provides an exceptional opportunity to interact with the North American geotechnical community. The geosynthetics field should play a strong role in this 66th Canadian Geotechnical Conference, with the theme "Geoscience for Sustainability." Learn more on the event website. Learn more here.;

Founded in 1988 to provide Canada with technical resources for geosynthetics, CTT Group’s Geosynthetics Division, known as SAGEOS, offers innovative R&D services, reliable laboratory testing and independent expertise to manufacturers, engineers and contractors seeking technical answers and solutions for projects that involve geosynthetics. After two decades of continuous growth and thousands of satisfied clients, SAGEOS proudly serves hundreds of customers every year. With about $5 million in cutting edge laboratory equipment spread over 20,000 square feet of laboratory space, and a network of specialized partners, we offer world class, multilingual services in all areas of the world. Learn more about the many tests offered by SAGEOS in support of the geosynthetics field (PDF). Learn more here.;

Organizers for Geosynthetics Asia 2012 (GA2012) have shared a recap from December's event, which marked the 5th Asian Regional Conference on Geosynthetics (GA2012). The theme "Geosynthetics for Sustainable Adaptation to Climate Change" was well-supported by the technical sessions, sponsoring companies, and distinguished speakers. Learn more.

terrafix® is hosting a series of informational geosynthetic engineering sessions through Canada from January – March. Topics include subgrade Improvement, stormwater management, pavement solutions, and structural applications of geosynthetics. Time is reserved for Q&A and lunch at these half-day gatherings. Learn more about sessions and dates here.

With 11,000+ attendees, 4,000 presentations, and 750 sessions and workshops, and with just a few days in which to absorb the material, the annual Transportation Research Board gathering in Washington, D.C. is a huge undertaking for both organizers and attendees. To support this year's event (January 13–17) TRB has released a very useful mobile app for saving agendas, keyword search, session and committee meeting times/locations, and more.

Group CTT and SAGEOS are working with various industries to foster new opportunities and materials with nanotechnology. Just as polymer modifications have expanded the roles and successes of geosynthetic materials, additional surface modifications and treatment of fibers with nano-particles may change geosynthetic performance characteristics significantly and enable new applications. Contact Eric Blonde, eblond@gcttg.com, for more information. Learn more here.;

The Canadian Geotechnical Society (CGS) in collaboration with the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH/CNC) and the North American Geosynthetics Society (NAGS) will host GéoMontréal 2013, the 66th Canadian Geotechnical Conference and the 11th Joint CGS/IAH-CNC Groundwater Conference. The conference will be held at the Hilton Montreal Bonaventure Hotel, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, 29 September – 3 October 2013. The theme for GéoMontréal 2013 is “Geoscience for Sustainability.” Abstracts are due: February 1

GSE Holding, Inc. (NYSE:GSE), a leading global provider of highly engineered geosynthetic containment solutions for environmental protection and confinement applications, today held a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of its new manufacturing facility located in the city of Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, in China. In addition to company officials, the ceremony was attended by representatives from the provincial and municipal governments and GSE's customers in the area.

RICHFIELD, Ohio - American Environmental Group Ltd (AEG) of Richfield, Ohio, announced yesterday that it has been acquired by Pasadena, California-based Tetra Tech. AEG, which in just 10 years has grown to become one of the largest specialty environmental design, construction, and maintenance companies in the United States, will join Tetra Tech's Remediation and Construction Management (RCM) segment. AEG retains its core leadership and experts, and it will continue to operate under its own name, in line with other construction and engineering-related Tetra Tech companies.

The annual Environmental Connection conference and exhibition from the International Erosion Control Association (IECA) is the premier educational event for the erosion, sediment control and stormwater industry. Environmental Connection, which will next be held 10-13 February 2013 in San Diego, California, combines intense, full and half-day training courses with topic-focused technical sessions and the largest expo of its kind. In our latest update on the event, learn about volunteer opportunities, short courses, a student scholarship, and more.

Group CTT publishes a broad resource for the greater geosynthetics and textile industries: Textile Journal. Each issue examines market trends, changes in tests and standards, new opportunities for growth (e.g., nanotechnology), and much more. Read it online. Learn more here.;

ASTM International, together with the Bombay Textile Research Association (BTRA), will conduct a one-day workshop on geotextiles on 22 January 2013, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at BTRA's facilities in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. This free technical workshop will feature two speakers: Sam Allen, vice-president of TRI/Environmental Inc. and a longtime member of ASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics; and V.K. Patil, senior scientific officer in charge of the geotextile lab at BTRA. Learn more.

Engineers at District 2 of the Illinois Department of Transportation were busy preparing plans for a major project in the Quad cities area in Rock Island County of Northwestern Illinois. The project, an extension of the Milan Beltway, was to include a long and highly visible drainage channel. They sought out a vegetated solution for this project, and the ideal solution they found was with composite turf reinforcement mats (C-TRM) from Tensar North American Green. Read about the exemplary and cost-saving performance from this site.

Yamba is a small coastal community on the northern beaches of New South Wales (NSW), Australia. and is known as the "Jewel in the Crown" for Clarence Valley Council, a point which was reinforced when it won "The Best Town in Australia" in 2009. In early 2012, undermining in the southeast corner of Whiting Beach was exposing key infrastructure, including the footpath, road, stormwater pipe work and chamber, pressurized sewer and a car park. ELCOROCK® Geotextile Sand Containers were seen as an ideal solution to fit these criteria and were adopted after consultation with Geofabrics Australasia, Fisheries and Crown Land.