February 2009 Issue

• Still further comment about the impact of water

  I read with interest the exchange between Gordon Stevens with Maccaferri and Michael Adams with FHWA about the use of woven geotextiles for soil reinforcement in MSE structures.

• Seaman Corp. invests $7 million in Tennessee plant

  Seaman Corp., based in Wooster, Ohio, has made a $7 million commitment for improvements at its Bristol, Tenn., manufacturing plant.

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  Reinforced roads needed at wind farm

  A massive wind farm project just south of Glasgow, Scotland, eventually will have 140 2.3-megawatt turbines in operation. But before the turbines could be erected, construction roads over peaty soils had to be built.

• SE Chapter/IECA holds training days

  The International Erosion Control Association’s Southeast Chapter held its first South Carolina Training and Field Days last fall.

• New ASTM standard for EPDM sheet material

  The standard fills a need for an internationally recognized standard to ensure that EPDM sheet material received by customers is consistent regardless of the manufacturer.

• 15-year test offers variances between EPS and XPS

  ACH Foam Technologies announced in December the completion of a 15-year test to determine water absorption characteristics of EPS (expanded polystyrene) and XPS (extruded polystyrene).

• PGI is now FGI

  Members of the PVC Geomembrane Institute (PGI) have voted to expand the range of membership to include those companies that fabricate geomembranes.

• Geosynthetics cited for best technical articles

  Geosynthetics magazine received both the Gold and Silver medals for Best Technical Article at the Excellence Awards presented in Minneapolis by the Minnesota Magazine and Publications Association (MMPA).

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  Geosynthetics: A key toward sustainability

  Papers from two 2008 conferences prompted our thoughts vis-à-vis the important role that geosynthetics can, and should, play toward sustainability.

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  Geomembrane liner and subsurface stormwater system installed at new Minnesota football stadium

  Developers of large urban projects — such as the new TCF Bank Stadium at the University of Minnesota — are challenged to find sustainable ways to manage stormwater without wasting precious space.

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  Geomembrane and nonwoven textile help build eco-friendly Monterey House

  The Monterey Bay Idea House (Monterey House) in Monterra, Calif., presents a multitude of eco-friendly features in response to the need for energy efficiency, function, and sustainability.

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  Geogrid in action — retaining leaves for flower bed insulation?

  Jonathan Rabe and coworker, Rochelle Rau, were preparing to protect a dozen tulip beds from the forces of an oncoming Minnesota winter last fall when they hit upon a new application for geogrids.

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  GCL shrinkage: A possible solution

  A potential industry-wide concern for GCL shrinkage was identified by Thiel and Richardson (2005) at the January 2005 Geo-Frontiers conference in Austin, Texas, based on observed problems at several sites worldwide.

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  Riverbank protection helps save a cemetery

  By the 1990s, it was clear that if the erosion of the riverbank continued, several hundred grave sites could be washed away from the church cemetary in west-central Minnesota.

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  Turning the Red River green

  The Red River of the North in the twin cities of Grand Forks, N.D., and East Grand Forks, Minn. submerged 2 Upper Midwest towns 12 years ago. Now geotextile matting is part of the foundation for a sweeping urban levee and greenway.

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  Reinforced wall project launches new retail development in Southern California

  The purpose of the retaining wall was to create a construction pad allowing enough flat buildable land for the ensuing retail development in Riverside County, Calif.

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  Turning the Red River green

  The Red River of the North in the twin cities of Grand Forks, N.D., and East Grand Forks, Minn. submerged 2 Upper Midwest towns 12 years ago. Now geotextile matting is part of the foundation for a sweeping urban levee and greenway.

• 

  Geomembrane liner and subsurface stormwater system installed at new Minnesota football stadium

  Developers of large urban projects — such as the new TCF Bank Stadium at the University of Minnesota — are challenged to find sustainable ways to manage stormwater without wasting precious space.

• 

  Riverbank protection helps save a cemetery

  By the 1990s, it was clear that if the erosion of the riverbank continued, several hundred grave sites could be washed away from the church cemetary in west-central Minnesota.

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  TenCate Geosynthetics wins 2008 Award of Excellence for Geosynthetic Projects

  This project upgraded an existing, narrow rural road to a British Columbia Ministry of Transportation (BCMoT) standard 8m-wide, gravel surface road near Sheridan Lake, B.C.

• 

  Geomembrane and nonwoven textile help build eco-friendly Monterey House

  The Monterey Bay Idea House (Monterey House) in Monterra, Calif., presents a multitude of eco-friendly features in response to the need for energy efficiency, function, and sustainability.

• 

  Geogrid in action — retaining leaves for flower bed insulation?

  Jonathan Rabe and coworker, Rochelle Rau, were preparing to protect a dozen tulip beds from the forces of an oncoming Minnesota winter last fall when they hit upon a new application for geogrids.

Back to Top

• 

  GCL shrinkage: A possible solution

  A potential industry-wide concern for GCL shrinkage was identified by Thiel and Richardson (2005) at the January 2005 Geo-Frontiers conference in Austin, Texas, based on observed problems at several sites worldwide.

• 15-year test offers variances between EPS and XPS

  ACH Foam Technologies announced in December the completion of a 15-year test to determine water absorption characteristics of EPS (expanded polystyrene) and XPS (extruded polystyrene).

• New ASTM standard for EPDM sheet material

  The standard fills a need for an internationally recognized standard to ensure that EPDM sheet material received by customers is consistent regardless of the manufacturer.

Back to Top

• 

  GCL shrinkage: A possible solution

  A potential industry-wide concern for GCL shrinkage was identified by Thiel and Richardson (2005) at the January 2005 Geo-Frontiers conference in Austin, Texas, based on observed problems at several sites worldwide.

Back to Top