Soil Reinforcement

The International Symposium on Sustainable Geosynthetics and Green Technology for Climate Change (SGCC) was held in Bangkok, Thailand 20-21 June 2012 and honored Prof. Dennis T. Bergado, a geosynthetics veteran who is retiring. Prof. Bergado has held numerous leadership positions in the industry, such as serving as President of the International Geosynthetics Society's (IGS) Thailand Chapter, Director of Asian Center for Soil Improvement and Geosynthetics (ACSIG), and Secretary General of the Southeast Asian Geotechnical Society (SEAGS). The event welcomed attendees and speakers from more than 20 countries as critical issues of environmental change were explored in the context of the roles geosynthetics play and can play in mitigating climate change impact.

Huesker Fortrac® geogrids were used to enable the construction of a bridge and state highway construction in Bavaria as part 2012-2013 highway works. The site video (in German with English...

The American Public Works Association (APWA) is promoting National Public Works Week (NPWW) 16-22 May 2010. Each year, a promotional poster is sold and plays on the NPWW's theme. For 2010, that them is "Public Works: Above, Below, & All Around You" by illustrator Harry Campbell. Harry's distinctive graphic line illustration work can be found in most major publications including The New York Times, Time Magazine, Newsweek, and many others. The poster is available for purchase here. Learn more here.;

One of the most important international football tournaments is about to take place: Euro 2012. The nations of Poland and Ukraine will play host to the quadrennial engagement, and both countires have invested millions of euros in new construction to support the event. In the Polish seaport of Gdansk, a 17.9 km bypass was needed to improve traffic flow. Tensar International's TriAx® design solution has been used in the sub-base to help combat differential settlement across the poor soil of the Wistula river delta and minimize frost heave caused by severe winters.

Around the world, polymeric materials such as geosynthetics have become crucial to safe and successful long-term infrastructure performance. In the Middle East and Gulf region, geosynthetic use is on the rise not only to support major construction projects but because the region's polymeric materials industry is maturing rapidly. It will soon be a major production center. One of the most important geosynthetics used in today's infrastructure is high-density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembrane. On 12 November 2009, Dr. Ian D. Peggs of I-CORP INTERNATIONAL, Inc., will present a full-day workshop titled "HDPE Geomembrane Liner Performance: the Reality." Learn more.

Mattex Geosynthetics started successfully its new nonwoven geotextile line in Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia. The newly created company is a vertically integrated ultra-modern production facility within the fast-growing Mattex...

In April 2009, the State of Arkansas experienced severe storms and flooding, affecting 37 counties and causing damage to infrastructures. This resulted in the 16 June 2009, presidential disaster declaration, DR-184, for Public Assistance. In Lafayette County alone, four roads were washed out, necessitating repairs and mitigation. A specialist recommended using a geotextile to stabilize the embankment and make the road more resilient once repairs were completed. Read more.

The United Kingdom-based Institution of Civil Engineers is an extremely active professional body with a rich history of high-quality lectures and professional development offerings. On October 17, ICE...

Geosynthetics 2009 is the largest geosynthetics industry event in North America. This biennial event will explore important issues affecting water resources, mining, infrastructure development and regulatory communities in the American, Canadian and Mexican markets. Organizers have announced an extention to the early registration rate to 30 January 2009. Register now to secure the best rates. The event will take place 25-27 February 2009 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Learn more here.;

A study funded by the Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc. (PPI) that evaluated the successful use of corrugated, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe for use under heavy rail car loads with shallow cover, is available on-line at the PPI website. The methodology of the project included repeatedly running a train consisting of three locomotives with eighty, 315,000 pound rail cars over 48-inch corrugated HDPE pipe with just four-feet of cover from the top of the pipe to the bottom of the rail.

TenCate Geosynthetics has published its Winter 2010 issue of MiraFacts, a semi-annual, electronic publication detailing projects, issues affecting engineering, short course and training opportunities, and more. The issue contains a host of interesting stories, including issues of road buildings, MiraSpec Design Solutions Software for flexible pavement designs, a pavement restoration warranty, two case studies, and more. Read it online. Learn more here.;

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4 today has approved the Tennessee Valley Authority's (TVA) selected cleanup plan for the next phase of coal ash removal at the TVA Kingston site in Roane County, Tenn. The cleanup plan requires TVA to permanently store on site all of the ash being removed from the Swan Pond Embayment. The embayment area will then be restored to conditions that protect human health and the environment. After careful review of all comments received between January and April, TVA, EPA and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), agreed that the selected cleanup plan provides the best option to protect public health and the environment. According to the release, for the new perimeter dike TVA "will place dry ash atop an engineered base layer of sand, gravel and geo-fabric."

The International Geosynthetics Society's (IGS) Indian Chapter (IGS India) has moved forward on its initiative to publish the Indian Journal of Geosynthetics and Ground Improvement on a twice-yearly basis, with the first issue covering January-June and the second issue July-December. Read about the articles in and download the inaugural issue here in PDF, learn about the publication's mission, and download guidelines to help you submit material to the journal.

At the Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, 20 April 2010, the shareholders of Sika AG approved all proposals put forward by the Board of Directors and resolved to distribute a dividend to shareholders representing roughly 50% of consolidated net profit. Some 565 shareholders attended the Annual General Meeting of Sika AG on 20 April 2010 in Cham, which was headed by Dr. Walter Grüebler, Chairman of the Board of Directors.