Retaining-wall dialog: ‘A tale of two walls’
August 1st, 2006
By Bob Barrett Introductory note from the letter writer: Geosynthetics editor, Ron Bygness, originally invited an article from me on the first GRS wall with negative batter in New Zealand. In order to explain why the Kiwis were different, I found it necessary to comment on why the U.S. is so far behind in GRS […]
Tensar Corporation to acquire Tensar Group Limited
August 1st, 2006
The Tensar Corporation, a developer and manufacturer of technology-driven site solutions, has signed a definitive purchase agreement to acquire Tensar Group Limited (TGL), parent company of Tensar International Limited. Founded in Blackburn, England in 1952, Tensar International (formerly Netlon Limited) is the inventor of the polymer geogrid. Tensar Geogrids® are now widely used in soil […]
New DuPont additive promises enhanced performance of oriented polypropylene and polyester
August 1st, 2006
DuPont Packaging & Industrial Polymers announced that it is introducing DuPont™ Entira™ Strong, a polymeric additive that helps improve the performance and processibility of tapes, filaments, and films made out of oriented polypropylene and polyester. The addition of Entira Strong, even at loading levels as low as 2 to 3% by weight, delivers a multitude […]
Minnesota engineering firm settles copyright lawsuit
August 1st, 2006
Interstate Geotechnical Engineering Inc. of Rosemount, Minn. has settled a copyright infringement lawsuit brought against it by ASFE/The Best People on Earth, a not-for-profit association of geoprofessional, environmental, and civil engineering firms. According to ASFE Executive Vice President John P. Bachner, ASFE learned that Interstate had been making and distributing unauthorized copies of the copyrighted […]
Cuckoo for coconet
August 1st, 2006
The growing geotextiles market can now add coconut fiber to its list of production materials. Domingo F. Panganiban, secretary of the Philippine Department of Agriculture, has announced that the Philippines will develop fiber-processing technologies that will focus on the production and market development of coconuts. Known as the Nucleus Farm Development Project, the Philippine Coconut […]
Construction of polyethylene plant in Qatar
August 1st, 2006
Construction of a $3.2 billion plant to produce polyethylene is under way at Mesaieed Industrial City, about 25 miles south of Doha in Qatar. The Qatofin plant will produce about 450,000 tons of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) per year. The plant’s operations are expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2008. The facility is […]
In Memoriam: Ronald P. Marsh
August 1st, 2006
Ron Marsh of Gastonia, NC, died June 20, 2006. A fixture in the geosynthetics industry since the 1970s, Marsh had retired from Huesker Inc. earlier this year. He was diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor in March and underwent surgery. He died at home without pain the morning of Tuesday, June 20, according to a […]
ASD and LRFD of reinforced SRW with the use of software Program MSEW(3.0)
August 1st, 2006
By Dov Leshchinsky Introduction The title of this article contains enough acronyms to confuse even the best engineers. Imagine the confusion when the abbreviations have to be translated into numbers followed by a structure. To alleviate some of the concern, here are the literal conversions: ASD=Allowable Stress Design (e.g., AASHTO 1998, 2002; or NCMA in […]
Building the bridge of the future with GRS technology
August 1st, 2006
Ohio bridge builders use geosynthetic-reinforced soil technology. Build the bridge of the future better, faster, and for less money using geosynthetic-reinforced soil (GRS) technology for abutments. Instead of a conventional bridge, supported on a pile-cap abutments, GRS technology uses alternating layers of compacted fill and sheets of geotextile reinforcement to provide support for the bridge. […]
Hereford Inlet seawall repair project
August 1st, 2006
Marine mattresses on the seawall in New Jersey. North Wildwood, N.J. Location: Hereford Inlet is located on the New Jersey coastline, near the southeasternmost tip of the state, near Cape May. Application: This project involved reconstructing the inlet’s shoreline seawall (Photo 1). Portions of the structure were undermined by tidal scour and storm erosion. Failure […]