TEXTILES.ORG
Testing seams
April 1st, 2009
From the GMA Techline Subject: Testing — What methods are available to test seams on HDPE and EPDM to ensure quality of joins in the field that should be part of the installation quality assurance? (Masson, New Zealand) Reply: You ask an interesting question in that HDPE is a thermoplastic polymer that can, and is, […]
ASDSO seeking award nominees
April 1st, 2009
The Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO) is on the lookout for nominees for two awards. June 1, 2009, is the deadline for nominations for the National Rehabilitation Project of the Year and also for the Regional Awards of Merit. The Rehabilitation award recognizes “a unique remedial design that advances the state-of-the-art in dam […]
‘Craig’s List’ for geosynthetics
April 1st, 2009
A Web site described as an “overstock.com” or “craigslist” for the geosynthetics industry has been launched. Geosyn.biz is a new resource aimed at the geosynthetics and erosion-control industries. Prepared by Alan Berry of Geosynthetics Consulting, the site offers educational opportunities (with PDHs available) and those at the contractor or sales level of a company interested […]
Cohesion (or adhesion) and friction angle in direct shear tests
April 1st, 2009
A technical note regarding interpretation of cohesion (or adhesion) and friction angle in direct shear tests By Richard Thiel Introduction Direct shear testing with geosynthetics is generally performed in accordance with ASTM D5321, Standard Test Method for Determining the Coefficient of Soil to Geosynthetic or Geosynthetic to Geosynthetic Friction by the Direct Shear Method. There […]
Rep. Rahall: coal-ash dams are a ‘ticking time bomb’
April 1st, 2009
The chair of the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee has called for new legislation, the result of the Tennessee Valley Authority coal-ash dam collapse in Tennessee that sent more than 1 billion gallons of toxic ash pouring over homes, fields, and streams. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-W.V.) said coal-ash impoundments across the nation are at […]
New software from Strata and Profile
April 1st, 2009
Strata Systems Inc. has announced an upgrade to its advanced interactive computer software program designed to assist engineers with the design and analysis of geogrid-reinforced steep slopes. Earthen slopes up to 70° from horizontal can be safely designed in accordance with methodologies accepted by the Federal Highway Administration and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. […]
Giroud elected to National Academy of Engineering
April 1st, 2009
Jean-Pierre Giroud has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), one of the highest professional distinctions given to an engineer. His election citation reads: “For pioneering research in geosynthetics engineering and its practical application in civil/geotechnical engineering.” J. P. Giroud, chairman emeritus of Geosyntec Consultants, was among 65 newly elected members into the […]
GSI calls for requests-for-proposals
April 1st, 2009
By Jamie R. Koerner, The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) has announced a worldwide call for requests-for-proposals (RFPs) focusing on innovative geosynthetics research and development projects. This will be Class No. 2 for this award, the first presented in 2008. There are multiple awards, each for $10,000 per year, and they are renewable pending an annual written […]
Commentary on Wikipedia®
April 1st, 2009
By Bob Koerner While recently researching various additives used with soil-filled geotextile tubes, I was unsure about subtle differences between flocculation, coagulation, and agglomeration. By simply searching these words on Wikipedia, my indecisions were immediately clarified. I thought to myself, this is a wonderful service! It turns out that others think so as well, since […]
Geosynthetics 2009 conference is a big hit
April 1st, 2009
With a total of 820 participants, 86 exhibiting companies, 76 papers presented at 22 technical sessions, five short courses, two special sessions, and three impressive keynote addresses, the Geosynthetics 2009 conference and trade show Feb. 25–27 in Salt Lake City was another hit in a series of geosynthetics conferences presented by the Industrial Fabrics Association […]