Miller Weldmaster acquires Sinclair welding lines
August 8th, 2014
Acquisition includes Triad, Spec, Roof products. Navarre, Ohio-based Miller Weldmaster, manufacturer of heat-seaming products, announced in an Aug.4 press release its acquisition of the Triad Wedge Welder, Spec Wedge Welder, and Roof Welding Tool product lines from Sinclair Equipment Co. The release said that the acquisition now allows Miller Weldmaster to service a greater range […]
ASTM workshop on hydraulic fracturing
August 7th, 2014
Abstracts and case studies invited for January event in New Orleans In an Aug. 6 press release, ASTM International Subcommittees D18.26 on Hydraulic Fracturing and D19.09 on Water: Hydraulic Fracturing Fluids, are inviting abstracts for consideration for presentations at a workshop: “Water quality monitoring and environmental characterization related to hydraulic fracturing activities.†The release said […]
Tailings pond breach at Mount Polley Mine in B.C.
August 6th, 2014
Unlined pond fails, pours effluent into nearby waterways. On Monday, Aug. 4, 2014, the tailings pond of the Mount Polley Mine burst, spilling toxic effluent into nearby Polley Lake and Quesnel Lake, and depriving residents of Likely, B.C., and surrounding areas of fresh water for household use. This area is located in the Cariboo region […]
SCE&G moves half-million tons of coal ash
August 5th, 2014
Moved from riverside lagoons to a lined landfill. According to a report issued by South Carolina Electric and Gas (SCE&G), the utility company says it has removed almost 500,000 tons of coal ash from its coal ash lagoons on the banks of the Catawba-Wateree River near Columbia, S.C. In 2012, the Southern Environmental Law Center […]
Educate the Educators
August 1st, 2014
By Ron Bygness The Professor Training Course for Geosynthetics (aka, Educate the Educators) was a successful educational effort that ran for one week each summer, 1994–1998, at Auburn University in Alabama under the direction of Prof. Dave Elton. A reinvigorated plan to launch a 21st century version of this course is gaining momentum, thanks primarily […]
GSE moves forward with Chapter 11 reorganization
August 1st, 2014
By Ron Bygness Houston-based GSE Environmental Inc. announced in a June press release that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware has approved the company’s Disclosure Statement filed in connection with a proposed Joint Plan of Reorganization. The court’s approval of the Disclosure Statement allows GSE to begin a voting process that will […]
Gary Kolbasuk receives Award of Merit
August 1st, 2014
By Ron Bygness ASTM International Committee D35 on Geosynthetics has honored Gary Kolbasuk, director of innovation and technology at Raven Industries, Sioux Falls, S.D. with the Award of Merit. The Award of Merit and its accompanying title of fellow is ASTM’s highest organizational recognition for individual contributions to standards activities. A member of ASTM International […]
“Educate the Educators”: A retrospective
August 1st, 2014
1994–1998 at Auburn University By Bob Koerner For a week during five summers, 1994–1998, geosynthetic seminars were held at Auburn University in Auburn, Ala., under the general title “Educate the Educators.” The host, coordinator, and facilitator was Prof. Dave Elton of Auburn’s Civil Engineering Department. For each course, a series of 8–10 experts presented various […]
Designing to minimize geomembrane leakage
August 1st, 2014
By Abigail Beck Introduction Specifying a geomembrane as a barrier system component for a containment facility seems like a straightforward task. Once a geomembrane is specified, the containment facility won’t leak, right? The reality behind geomembrane installations is that the ultimate performance of an installed geomembrane ranges from completely ineffective to highly effective. What creates […]
Void bridging with specialty geosynthetics and thin covers
August 1st, 2014
By Brian Baillie Introduction Geologic or hydraulically formed cavities and sensitive utility trenches are sometimes a concern on construction, mining, and environmental containment sites. Naturally formed or man-made openings such as these can complicate the design and performance of overriding structures or create restrictions with site access. They can also create significant safety issues for […]