June 1, 2006
By Andrew Aho “You have a wonderful story to tell.” Those words came from a Washington, D.C. lobbyist after a meeting where I had presented an overview of the geosynthetics industry, the benefits of geosynthetic products, and the variety of geosynthetics applications. “And the timing couldn’t be better to tell it,” he added, given the …
Turf reinforcement mat to the rescue in Riverside County. Master Drainage Plan, Line E, San Jacinto Basin This project had been planned to capture stormwater and excess agricultural flows during the Southern California rainy season, then reuse this water to replenish the area’s groundwater basin during times of drought. The 50-ft.-wide x 8,000-ft.-long, 12-ft.-deep channel …
The Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) is now offering a new level of membership for distributors of geosynthetics. The GMA Executive Council recently approved a measure that opened the door for membership to distributors of geosynthetic materials. “Distributors play a vital role in the geosynthetics industry,” said Ernie English, chairman of the GMA Executive Council. “Their …
American Excelsior Co. and Uzet World Dublin have partnered to introduce e-Staple to the erosion-control industry. The devices offer an option in biodegradation from cold to warm conditions and will not soften during storage through humidity pickup. The e–Staple product can also be used on coastal erosion installation projects and for sod as well, and …
U.S. demand for geosynthetics is forecast to advance 4.1% per year to 865 million yd.2 in 2006, according to The Freedonia Group Inc. Demand will be driven by growing consumer awareness of the benefits of geosynthetics in various applications, fueled by an ongoing consumer education effort on the part of manufacturers and industry organizations. The …
Joseph F. Dana was named president and CEO of Propex Fabrics Inc., effective March 20, 2006. He was also appointed a director of the company. Dana, who was previously vice president and chief of North American operations, joined Propex when it acquired SI Concrete Systems Corp. and SI Geosolutions Corp. on Jan. 31, 2006. Dana, …
In the wake of the floods following Hurricane Katrina, officials are working to figure out how to prepare and respond to other natural disasters involving flooding, and the need for improved water barriers. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is now in the process of testing new, so-called “super-levees.” The first series of modular …
An innovative highway rehabilitation project in northern Kentucky has utilized a geofoam fill system to stabilize the roadbed. The project was unusual because of a new approach to stopping chronic road slippage. A 1-mile stretch of Kentucky Highway 8 in Campbell County was bolstered with geofoam instead of infill dirt to prevent slippage. Geofoam, used …
There is no shortage of challenges to building hurricane protection in Gulf Coast USA. Soils are so soft that it’s difficult to get the land to support massive levees. The landscape itself continues to sink through natural and man-made processes. And a fragile ecosystem of coastal marshland likely will be affected by whatever is built. …
To the editor: I really enjoyed reading the article on the use of synthetic and/or manufactured soil stabilization materials in World War II by Mr. Gregory Richardson (Geosynthetics, February-March, “Lost in history: Geo-Airdromes”). I am very much an amateur historian on WW II and have quite a collection of books on the subject. I am …