Terrafix Geosynthetics new joint venture with Albarrie
June 22nd, 2010
Terrafix Geosynthetics Inc. announced in May the launch of a new joint venture with Albarrie Canada, according to a press release from the company. The two firms are joining forces to create Terrafix Albarrie Geosynthetics (TAG). TAG will manufacture a full line of geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) as well as other specialty products in Barrie, […]
NAUE grid demonstrates stability at Weimar test
June 17th, 2010
More than 100 visitors came to Germany’s Bauhaus University Weimar in June for a Department of Civil Engineering event entitled “Energy. Experiment. Experience.” One of the event’s highlights included a public demonstration of geogrid-reinforced stone columns using a 2.4-ton vehicle. NAUE GmbH & Co. KG, an international manufacturer of geosynthetics, worked with Prof. Dr.-Ing. Karl […]
New lines from Vietnam
June 17th, 2010
Vietnam-headquartered Vison is entering the nonwovens market with the installation of new lines in the Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh regions. Vison is one of many new companies in Vietnam ushered in by the wave of private investment since the turn of this century. Formed in 2005 by local entrepreneur Trinh Thanh Vinh, the company […]
Profile introduces new biodegradable growth medium
June 17th, 2010
Building on the performance of the original Flexterra Flexible Growth Medium, Profile Products unveiled its new patent-pending Flexterra High Performance-Flexible Growth Medium (HP-FGM) in June. In a company press release, Profile said that the HP-FGM product represents the next generation in flexible growth media, offering 600% greater initial seed germination and more than 250% greater […]
IFAI members assist in oil spill cleanup
June 2nd, 2010
By Abbie Yarger More than 60 members of the Industrial Fabrics Association International are preparing products for clean-up efforts in the Gulf of Mexico following the April 20 explosion of the BP-owned Deepwater Horizon oil rig. The oil gusher at the source of the spill, located 5,000 feet below the ocean surface and about 40 […]
Geosynthetic reinforced walls and steep slopes: Is it magic?
June 1st, 2010
By Dov Leshchinsky Introduction The history of humankind indicates that most people, arguably, embrace magic. Adding exotic ceremonies turns magic into voodoo. While magic is based on uncritical thinking, relying on it in engineering is undesirable because it could lead to overly expensive structures or, worse, unsafe practice. Hence, designers use rules stemming from mechanics […]
Retractable geomembrane covers provide multiple efficiencies for Bay Area wastewater plant
June 1st, 2010
A retractable, structurally-supported geomembrane cover system provides odor control and ease of maintenance access for the Vallejo Sanitation and Flood Control District. By Jim McMahon Introduction The initial goal was to contain odors from its wastewater treatment plant. What the Vallejo (Calif.) Sanitation and Flood Control District (VSFCD) eventually realized is a fully retractable, structurally-supported […]
MSE walls support laterally loaded drilled shafts
June 1st, 2010
A new take on sound-barrier walls. By Jie Han, Robert Parsons, Matthew Pierson, and James Brennan Introduction When residential areas are close to highways, sound barrier walls are often constructed to minimize noise from traffic on those roads. Under certain circumstances, mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls are used to support the sound barrier walls. Figures […]
Bernard Myles was my friend
June 1st, 2010
Written Wednesday, April 28, 2010 by Pete Stevenson Bernard Myles was my friend. We met in 1980 in New Orleans at an organizing meeting for the IFAI geotextile committee where he was the only sensible voice. During the next 30 years he became my friend and he remained a sensible voice. He was a teacher, […]
Purging the geosynthetics system of dated test methods and specs
June 1st, 2010
By Bob and George Koerner In May 1998, Maryann Gorman wrote a commentary in ASTM Standardization News entitled “How Specifications Live Forever.” She began the article by explaining how standard gauge railroad track spacing in North America is 4ft-8.5in. (1.4351m). It seems that this precise dimension dates from Roman times because “the Imperial chariots were […]