Transportation

While Ahmad Rafay Alam's piece on the Lahore canal road project in Pakistan may be an opinion column, it does put forth a rather interesting fact about Pakistan's development: more than half the country will live in urban areas in less than a decade. This will put increased pressure upon long-term water resource and transportation infrastructure management solutions. Enter geosynthetics… Learn more here.;

In New York State, shredded tires are being used as fill material beneath the lane-shift median around a bridge and highway reconstruction project. The fill is wrapped in geotextile. The state plans to repeat this approach in future transportation jobs. Learn more here.;

The National Transportation Product Evaluation Program (NTPEP) report of November 2006 summarizes the latest testing results (through April 2006) for products submitted by 31 manufacturers (Fiberweb, Colbond, GSE and Propex are among them). This AASHTO report was arranged by the state departments of transportation of New York and Washington. Download the PDF here. Learn more here.;

N.C. Vasuki, known to all as just "N.C.," has retired as Chief Executive Officer of Delaware Solid Waste Authority (DSWA). N.C. was, and still is, a great ally of geosynthetics having no fear - provided he was given a solid technical argument - of incorporating geosynthetics into full scale landfill lining and capping systems on a research and development basis. Unquestionably his most challenging, most visible, and most photographed geosynthetic application is the exposed reinforced polypropylene cap at the Southern Solid Waste Management Center. Wind uplift, rainwater run-off, intermediate trench/berm design, and even the susceptibility of seam edge flaps to being pecked by seagulls have all been usefully assessed. As a result of N.C.'s willingness to collaborate on such projects, other exposed caps have been installed, and other geosynthetic technologies have flourished. We wish him a healthy retirement, but suspect he will remain close to geosynthetics and other waste management technologies. You can read a little more about his contributions in the 2006 November/December issue of MSW Mangement magazine at the link below. Learn more here.;

Offered by Maccaferri is this short course on Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) Retaining Structures & Rockfall Mitigation Using Drapery & Fences. November 7 (Ventura), 9 (San Diego), 14 (Reno), 15 (Sacramento), 16 (Bay Area) and December 5 (Boise), 6 (Seattle), 7 (Portland). 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.;

On July 7, 2006, the UK public listed company Low & Bonar PLC announced the proposed acquisition of Colbond Investments bv. The acquisition is subject to shareholder approval at an Extraordinary General Meeting scheduled for July 24, 2006. Low & Bonar is a specialist flooring and technical textile group. Colbond has leading positions in several of its non-woven markets, which are different from, but complementary to those served by Low & Bonar’s Yarns & Fabrics division. The acquisition will offer increased market access for Colbond products through the Chinese sales infrastructure of Low & Bonar, and Colbond’s US infrastructure will offer in turn access to new market opportunities. Low & Bonar is operating from the divisions Yarns & Fabrics and Floors. Because of the similarity of the product groups and possible synergy effects, Colbond will operate within the Yarns & Fabrics division. “We are very pleased with this acquisition”, says Jan van Boldrik, CEO of Colbond. “The strategy of Colbond and the approach of the Yarns & Fabrics operation of Low & Bonar complement one another to a great extent. Both companies supply specialty products for niche applications and have a clear focus on their core competencies.For Colbond, the acquisition paves the way for further long-term growth and continuity with increased resources for investment into profitable developments and promising innovation processes. At the same time, the transaction widens the scope for our workforce and represents an opportunity to gain additional expertise in new product and application segments. We expect our current and future customers to benefit from the integration of Colbond in the enlarged group. Most obvious of course is the continued focus on high-quality products and services and the drive for process development in line with customer demands. But also the now even increased worldwide presence of Colbond as a member of Low & Bonar will represent a major advantage for our customers and partners in the respective markets. Against the background of the aforementioned benefits, we are looking forward to our future in the Bonar group.”

Solmax International geomembranes have received the CE Marking required for sale and distribution in the European Union. Read the list of approved products here. Site visitors may also download the certificate from that page. Learn more here.;

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

How are transportation and public works departments dealing with tricky soils and the problems they cause for road longevity? Better Roads magazine looks at some current practices, such as the city of Wichita's decision to use geogrid stabilization instead of chemical treatments to solve its thermal cracking problems. Learn more here.;

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.;

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

Eight presenters from the Indonesian Geosynthetic Alliance (INA) and the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) will lead a one-day seminar on roads in Indonesia and the applicability of geosynthetics to the nation's infrastructure improvements, 6 April 2006 at Bina Nusantara University. Dr. JP Giroud will speak on "The Applications and Main Functions of Geosynthetics Materials in Road Pavement Construction." Other topics include designing for soft soils, geosynthetics for repair of failed slopes, and case histories. For a complete schedule, click the "continued" link below.

Colorado based geosynthetic leader Colorado Lining International (CLI) has purchased water feature builder Alliance Golf Corporation of Evansville, Indiana and formed ClearWater Construction International, LLC. ClearWater will combine the resources of CLI’s liner fabrication and related geosynthetic business with Alliance’s water feature and dirt moving abilities. According to CLI President John Heap, “The Alliance acquisition furthers CLI’S long time philosophy of providing the best combination of products and services to our clients. With the formation of ClearWater, we now provide total vertical integration of lake and stream construction.” ClearWater Construction will provide full creative and construction services for water features, including pond and stream preparation geomembrane lining and related geosynthetic products, pump, piping, and recircurlation systems, dry-stack rock and timber retaining walls, hardscape and turf reinforced shorelines, and aeration systems. ClearWater will operate from the current Alliance office in Evansville, Indiana and the CLI headquarters in Parker, CO. All Alliance Golf employees have joined the ClearWater team. CLI General Manager, Pat Elliott, states, “The acquisition and formation of ClearWater will not change CLI’s relationship or policies with our existing clients.” Former Alliance Golf President Steve Scott states, “This is an excellent partnership, with dynamic individuals which will give developers, owners, architects, engineers, and builders pricing, service, and technical expertise never before available. Utilizing the resources of CLI’s management and administration, allows ClearWater’s sales and field personnel to fully focus on our customers’ needs.”

Tensar is adding a 60,000 square foot expansion to its Atlanta, Georgia geogrid manufacturing facility. This will bring the total plant to more than 200,000 square feet, it will significantly increased the production capacity for Tensar's biaxial geogrids. Read the full announcement here.

Ron Faucher, Becky Gauthier and Lee Johnson will take office in February 2006 to serve their three-year terms on the Board. Faucher, Gauthier and Johnson come from distinctly different backgrounds, but are all dedicated professionals with the success of the IECA as their first priority. As members of the governing body of the association, they will play key roles in determining the association’s future. Ron Faucher, CPESC, has worked in watershed protection for 40 years in various capacities and today is the Source Protection Coordinator at Portland (Maine, USA) Water District. He served on IECA’s Awards Committee and is currently on the Membership Advisory, Student Resources, Chapter Advisory and Executive committees. He has been a member of IECA since 1988, when he attended his first conference, and is a proud member of the Decade Club. He serves as secretary for the Northeast Chapter and is currently Administrative Vice President of the IECA Board of Directors. Becky Gauthier is the Technical Representative for Fiber Marketing International, Inc., and has worked in the erosion control industry since 1990. She is currently the president of the Pacific Northwest Chapter of IECA and has served on the Chapter Board of Directors since 1999. Becky has also served as the Secretary of the IECA Board of Directors, and chaired both the Chapter Advisory Committee and the Student Resources Committee. Lee Johnson, CPESC, has been with the Geo-Fabrics/Erosion Control Division of the Buckley Powder Co., Englewood, Colorado, USA for the past 17 years and has been involved in all facets of the erosion control industry for 20 years. He has held the CPESC certification since 1993. Lee is an active member of numerous organizations that are involved in erosion, sediment control and revegetation programs, including: IECA; Mountain States Chapter, IECA; American Society for Testing and Materials; Golf Course Builders Association of America; Colorado Contractors Association; in addition to other local and regional associations.

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.

IAGI members receive a 62% on-bill discount on all inbound and outbound LTL freight shipments through Yellow Transportation along with other discounted features. IAGI has 191 Certified Installers to date, and the pilot-testing phase of the Reinforced Materials Certification group has begun. Learn more here.;

Mujeeb Basha is leaving AASHTO/NTPEP and will be moving to Illinois. A Geotechnical Engineer by trade, he will be consulting in construction management, transportation applications, and road building. Mujeeb's wife has completed her training as a physician and will be joining her sister's practice in Naperville, 50 miles from Chicago. September 10th will be Mujeeb's last day. Mike McGough will be taking Mujeeb's place at AASHTO and he can be reached at 202-320-3632 or by e-mail: mmcgough@aashto.org. Mujeeb's new contact information is: 202 Karen Circle, Boling Brook, IL., 604440, and he can be reached on the phone at: 202-320-1236 or by e-mail: mbasha2002@hotmail.com.

The International Journal of Geoengineering Case Histories is a new, refereed online journal in the field of Geoengineering. The journal aims to become a focal point of geotechnical engineering practice worldwide by publishing case histories. The journal is refereed in accordance to the procedures of the most prestigious journals in our field and the Editorial Board of the journal consists of some of the best engineers of practice and Professors worldwide that guarantee the quality of the publication. Characteristics of the journal: The International Journal of Geoengineering Case Histories has characteristics that differentiate it from existing journals and will position it as a very useful tool for the engineer of practice. Such characteristics are listed on the website of the journal and include use of colored figures, compilation of a database of case histories, online searchable directory of papers. One of the most important characteristics of the journal is that it will be available at no cost on the Internet, allowing unlimited access to engineers worldwide. Printed copies of the journal will be available with subscription, but engineers will now be able to just visit the website and download the papers that are of interest to them. Because of the journal’s focus on case histories, its unique characteristics, the high quality of the publication and its unrestricted access to its content, it is expected that it will become very popular among engineers of practice but also among researchers that want to access the data. The journal intends to be a free, very useful, high quality and everyday tool for the work of practicing engineers. The journal was announced for the first time in the “Prakash Case Histories Conference” this April and the responses by the engineers of practice were enthusiastic. Learn more here.;

Congratulations to Daniel S. Rohe as he replaces Fred P. Rohe who had previously held the position since 1985. Dan will continue to direct EPI's development of thermal welding techniques for field seaming PVC geomembranes.

Summary of Nuremberg 2002: The Nuremberg GCL conference sessions finished on 17 April with a summary of the sessions by the five session chairmen. It was clearly apparent that to get the optimum service from a GCL it is necessary to use a specifically designed product, as for example when a GCL is to be laid in a canal, underwater, then with ballast dropped on top of it (Heibaum). The lack of damage to such a GCL compares to the significant damage reported by Peggs when smaller stones, but still relatively large, were placed on top of a "standard" commodity GCL. Thus, as there are differences between and within geomembrane materials there are differences in GCLs.

Tenax expands facility- Texax Corp. has doubled its sole manufacturing plant with a plan to add new machinery by the end of Dec. The firm has added three extruders to its existing five, boosting annual extrusion capacity to 20 million pounds. It will invest nearly $2.7 million in machinery. Its 60,000 sq. ft. building grew to 150,000 sq. ft. with a $2.2 million investment. They will hire 20 people brining its work force to 100. Tenax is tapping the retail and consumer market with critter-control netting, which it plans to sell through do-it-yourself stores.

SAGEOS of Quebec, CA is looking for a Civil Engineer in charge of research and development. Must be fluent in english and french.

I-CORP INTERNATIONAL has been awarded a contract by the Portland Classical Chinese Garden in Portland, ME, to locate leaks in the GCL-only liner of its 8,000 ft2 ornamental lake. Using new technology I-CORP will perform what is believed to be only the second comprehensive leak survey on a non-geomembrane lined pond while covered with water. I-CORP is also working on pitch-scan noncontact ultrasonics for nondestructively assessing the bond strength of every millimeter of geomembrane seams