Professor Bhatia honored at Syracuse University

April 1, 2009  |  News

Among the five Syracuse University faculty and staff members who were recognized in February with Chancellor’s Citations for Excellence was Shobha K. Bhatia, professor of civil and environmental engineering in the L.C. Smith College of Engineering and Computer Science. Bhatia specializes in ge…
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Rep. Rahall: coal-ash dams are a ‘ticking time bomb’

April 1, 2009  |  News

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-a…
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New software from Strata and Profile

April 1, 2009  |  News

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 accept…
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Giroud elected to National Academy of Engineering

April 1, 2009  |  News

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 engineerin…
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GSI calls for requests-for-proposals

April 1, 2009  |  News

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…
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Commentary on Wikipedia®

April 1, 2009  |  News

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…
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Geosynthetics 2009 conference is a big hit

April 1, 2009  |  News

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 o…
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Geotextiles in levees (Part 1 of 2)

April 1, 2009  |  Case Studies

History, performance, and design of geotextiles in levees: A report from New Orleans By Jody Dendurent and Mark Woodward Abstract Geotextiles are a key element in building levees that will survive catastrophic storms. The geotextile-reinforced earthen levees in New Orleans performed remarkably well …
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Prefabricated bituminous geomembrane: A candidate for exposed geomembrane caps

April 1, 2009  |  Products

By Ian Peggs Landfill caps prevent incident precipitation from becoming leachate that has to be treated, contain landfill gas that can be used to generate electricity, and prevent odors that annoy neighbors. Typically, geomembrane caps are covered with soil and vegetation for appearance and for the …
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Finland mine features bituminous geomembrane liner

April 1, 2009  |  Case Studies

The liner is at the Kittilä Gold Mine in northern Finland. By Bertrand Breul, Mikko Huru, Anton Palolahti Abstract This article will describe the mine in general, including the opening date and the years of operations, and the purpose and construction of ponds to retain pollution. The structure…
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