Coastal dune stabilization using geotextile tubes at Las Coloradas

February 1, 2008  |  Case Studies

By Sergio Aguilar Escalante and Alfonso Sol“s Pimentel Abstract Beaches and coastal dunes at Las Coloradas, Mexico, were severely affected after Hurricane Wilma stormed through the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in October 2005. Dune destruction connected open sea with lagoon systems …
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Geocomposite cover for sulfide tailings

February 1, 2008  |  Case Studies

By Bruno Herlin, P.Eng. Abstract In autumn 2006, the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines tendered a construction project to provide a soil cover over the North Impounded Tailings (NIT) area at the abandoned Kam Kotia Mine site in east-central Ontario, Canada. The soil cover would effe…
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Three challenges in using SRWs and other reinforced-soil structures: Part 2A

February 1, 2008  |  Case Studies

By Michael R. Simac, P. E., and Blaise J. Fitzpatrick, P. E. Introduction While segmental retaining walls (SRWs) have been routinely used for more than 15 years now, there are still three challenging issues facing owners considering their use. What is the best way to procure, design, and then build …
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Geogrid-reinforced roads aid wind farm’s installation of giant turbines

October 1, 2007  |  Case Studies

Introduction Development of the Maple Ridge Wind Farm required stability improvement to the subgrade of 26 miles of access roads to the locations of the farm’s wind turbines. A successful road design solution resulted following the installation of 463,000yds2 of geogrid. Project site The Maple…
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Using geosynthetics for avalanche protection in northern Iceland

October 1, 2007  |  Case Studies

By Ron Bygness One of the northernmost towns in Iceland, while picturesque, sits at the base of avalanche-prone mountainsides. Tiny Siglufjördur—population about 1,400—has sought to have this situation addressed for years. But a final answer—a reinforced-soil avalanche-barrier…
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New PU composite expected to extend German North Sea defenses

October 1, 2007  |  Case Studies

The next step in a 3,000m2 extension of a North Sea shoreline erosion-control effort on islands off the northwestern coast of Germany included the installation of more than 20 metric tons of a new polyurethane-mixture coating last summer. The Elastocoast resin system, developed by BASF subsidiary El…
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Three challenges in using SRWs and other reinforced-soil structures: Part 1

October 1, 2007  |  Case Studies

By Michael R. Simac, P. E., and Blaise J. Fitzpatrick, P. E. Introduction While segmental retaining walls (SRWs) have been routinely used for more than 15 years now, there are still three challenging issues facing owners considering their use. What is the best way to procure, design, and then build …
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Eliminating erosion runoff at a Canadian quarry’s stockpile slope

August 1, 2007  |  Case Studies

By Sarah Willnerd and Ron Bygness Introduction With ownership of some 900 quarries around the world to sustain its building materials operations, the Lafarge Group claims a commitment to achieving sustainable development hand in hand with environmental compliance. However, attempts to stabilize a la…
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Road realignment, a sediment pond and an unsuspected spring play part in county project

August 1, 2007  |  Case Studies

By Lawrence Berkland, CPESC Introduction This project showcases the use of a geosynthetic drainage system as an outfall for a sediment pond, and the accompanying road realignment, both built in Steele County, Minn., in 2006. In this example, the land usage was primarily agricultural, the watershed a…
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Using geosynthetics to rehabilitate Fisher Cañon Dam and Reservoir

August 1, 2007  |  Case Studies

Installation of a reservoir liner restored more-efficient irrigation to a Colorado resort By Richard A. Millet, P.E., Jennifer L. Williams, P.E., Dennis A. Minchow, John B. Heap Introduction Fisher Cañon Reservoir is an off-channel storage facility that supplies irrigation water to the golf c…
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