Soil Reinforcement

New York University's Institute of Fine Arts has called upon geosynthetic reinforcement techniques to save a 5,000-year-old Egyptian monument. The site buildings were constructed by some of Egypt's earliest kings. The geosynthetics provide a much-needed modern twist on the ancient use of reeds between construction layers. Learn more here.;

Since 1986, Biobarrier® has been the product of choice for re-directing tree and shrub roots from walls, sidewalks, foundations and landscapes. Biobarrier Root Control System is placed in a trench between roots and the area to be protected and is guaranteed for 15 years. “ When we introduced Biobarrier, it was a different kind of product for the market,” said Jerry Dunaway, Biobarrier sales manager. “It still is unlike anything else. We think it is also the most effective and cost-efficient method of inhibiting root growth. For example, it generally costs about $900 to replace 15 linear feet of 4-foot-wide sidewalk. Using Biobarrier along that same stretch of sidewalk costs less than $50.”

Seattle Art Museum's Olympic Park is about to open. The scupture-adorned 9-acre site was once a fuel depot. For the past 18 months the site has been converted into a public space. Where it slopes 56 degrees towards Puget Sound, a series of mechanically stabilized walls (MSWs) have been built and reinforced with geogrids. Reported in the Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce (DJC). Learn more here.;

Ace Geosynthetics supplied 3800 sqm of geogrid for the reinforcement of a vital embankment along the Shang-Kang, Taiwan high-speed railway. Read about this and other projects at Ace's case histories page. Learn more here.;

Over the past two years, fines have mounted against cities and developers for not stemming pollution at construction sites. Silt fencing, inlet protection geotextiles, turf reinforcement mats and other products have provided needed remedies. Now, the City of Durham faces the potential of serious fines for not having monitored erosion control aggressively enough. This type of fine is perhaps the next phase in improving stormwater regulation compliance. Learn more here.;

The Colorado Department of Transportation's extensive modernization of US Highway 40 (the historic Berthoud Pass) involved near-vertical walls and significant reinforcement schemes. Maccaferri preserved the greenery, though, by providing Green Terramesh for vegetated, reinforced slopes. Read the case study. Learn more here.;

Nonwovens Industry's 37th Annual Guide lists suppliers and producers of nonwovens around the globe in one comprehensive listing. Learn more here.;

gsa note: Free registration is requred to view these pages if you are not already a member of this site. Nearly 80 percent of Dresden, Germany's rail infrastructure was damaged by flooding in 2002. The system's subsequent repairs have involved extensive use of geosynthetic reinforcement, such as using Naue's SecuGrid. Read the note in Railroad Industry International. Learn more here.;

The Presumpscot River Youth Conservation Corps placed erosion control mats, vegetation, and other sediment control measures along the formerly barren banks of the river. The two-year, $740,000 project was paid for by a grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency. From KeepMeCurrent.com. Learn more here.;

Tensar's latest GeoTalk is available. The current issue contains articles on the effectiveness and installation ease of fiberglass geogrids, a case study on biaxial-reinforcement grids used over marshlands, a fascinating ski jump installation, and more. Learn more here.;

Experiments from the Agricultural Research Service (ARS), have shown how even crudely constructed floating plant mats help remove dangerous nitrogen and phosporous from manure lagoons. Such a system might be commoditized with the help of geosynthetic grids, vegetated turf reinforcement mats, and other established products. Learn more here.;

The July 2006 issue of the South African Chapter of the International Geosynthetics Society is now available.

The latest episode of Land & Water's Erosion and Sediment Control Network (ESCN) TV news is available online. This week's topics: controlling erosion and stormwater runoff on landfill caps; exemptions for stormwater permits to homebuilders; and modified riprap. Watch it online. Learn more here.;

In Austinburg Township, Ohio, part of a roadway embankment has fallen into the adjacent creek. Galvanized mesh and geotextile material will be used in the rebuild and reinforcement. Read about it in the Star Beacon. Learn more here.;

Architects and designers Will Elsworthy, Steven Wood, and Rob Gorbet have created an installation called Implant Matrix, a peculiar structure that incorporate synthetics, such as geotextiles, and electric nodes that cause the structure to react to users. The designers posit that these technologies could be used in the future for landscaping and reinforcement applications. Take a photo tour online. Learn more here.;

North American Green's "Green Views" information series concisely addresses a number of engineering topics such as the economics of erosion control blankets and mats, EC installation, and EC interaction with golf course construction. Download here the Green Views item on turf reinforcement mats as an alternative to riprap. More are available at NA Green's Web site. Learn more here.;

3 New Approved Standards and 1 Work Item (the withdrawl of D276-00a) for this week.

Kaytech has recently acquired a specialised, high technology, warp knit geogrid line from Karl Meyer to manufacture high strength, low strain, reinforcing geogrids and composite geotextiles for soil and slope stabilisation, basal reinforcement and asphalt reinforcement interlayers. The Karl Meyer is currently being commissioned and Kaytech is now also finalising their choices of GCL machinery at present. With a greenfield manufacturing setup, they have an opportunity to make something superior to what is currently in the market, but they feel machinery choices are critical. Their investigation teams have been all over the world to assess candidate plant manufacturers. Peter Davies states that "the geosynthetics business is good in SA and we have made these investment choices as we have confidence that SA is on a growth path. Being local manufacturers of our own products has always enabled us to stay ahead of the pack and we do hope to maintain that lead and increase it with these two new investments." For pictures of the new machinery, please go to the "continued" link below.

ASCE G-I Geosynthetics committee is soliciting papers for a mini symposium during GeoDenver 07 under the following theme: Geosynthetics in Cyclic, Seismic, and Dynamic Applications: Lesson Learned. If interested , please forward brief abstract (100 words in PDF format) to Mo Gabr, gabr@eos.ncsu.edu by April 17 2006. Geosynthetic materials are used in many difficult geological conditions as a tool for cost effective design and enhanced construction. While applications in various industry sectors are at different stages of development, documented case histories on the use of geosynthetics in cyclic, seismic, and dynamic projects are rare. This mini symposium entitled "Geosynthetics in Cyclic, Seismic, and Dynamic Applications: Lesson Learned" aims to encompass several (may be 2-4) sessions describing lessons learned when incorporating geosynthetics in such applications. The cyclic, seismic, and dynamic cases include machine and traffic, earthquakes, explosives, wave, and impact loading with reinforcement, drainage, and containment application. As such, examples with a focus on design or performance case histories are (loading being cyclic, seismic, and/or dynamic): i. Dams and Liquefaction ii. Seismic Stability of Mining Impoundments ii. Walls and Slopes iii. Water Storage Reservoirs and Waste Containment Facilities iv. Structures subjected to Wave Loading including Shorelines v. Machine Foundation vi. Bridge Foundation vii. Instrumented Pavement Sections viii. Other Applications. Learn more here.;

As reported by www.telegraph.co.uk: "There were a flurry of private equity deals yesterday as well as rumours that there may be imminent exits from portfolio companies. One source said that Electra Private Equity was in advanced negotiations to sell Tensar [International]. The source said that Tensar, which manufactures soil reinforcement and ground stabilisation products for the construction industries, could be sold for up to £80m. It is thought the mystery buyer is already carrying out due dilligence on the business."

George and Bob Koerner offer an overview and intitial feedback on the state of CQA and GSI's Inspector Certification Program (GCI-ICP).

Rolled erosion control products (RECPs), especially when combined with other technologies, are part of successful long-term solutions. Read Donna Gordon Blakinship's article from Erosion Control magazine. Learn more here.;

Read NAUE News Issue 24 - June 2005 at the "continued" link below. Features include: 4th German Geosynthetics Colloquium review, national and international projects, articles: Long-term Service Lifetime of Bentofix® GCLs, and Secugrid® Reinforced Soils, as well as a schedule of shows and conferences.

Bob Koerner reports on the ASCE/PennDOT Conference in Hershey, Pennsylvania, the ESD Waste Conference in Lansing, Michigan. He then visits Tenax in Baltimore regarding geonets, followed by a trip to lecture at Tensar, and a visit with SKAPS. GCLs, White Paper #5, and the currently reviewed GCL Specification are also touched upon.

Rob Swan (SGI) and Ian Peggs (I-CORP), both geosynthetica.net Underwriters, examining the exposed parts of a bend in a low geocell wall they came across in Fernandina Beach, FL. on New Year's Day.