Innovation in the construction industry
June 28th, 2021
By Bryan Gee, director of education and training, Tensar International The construction industry has a long history of innovation. From the Romans paving the way for our modern road infrastructure to technological breakthroughs like the building information modeling (BIM) system, we have come a long way from breaking the wheels of our horse-drawn carriages in rutted dirt roads. […]
Senators and House members introduce bill to spur use of innovative infrastructure materials, GMA plays key role
August 3rd, 2018
Sens. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I.; Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn.; Mike Rounds, R-S.D.; and Cory Booker, D-N.J., introduced on Aug. 2 the Innovative Materials for America’s Growth and Infrastructure Newly Expanded (IMAGINE) Act, to encourage research and deployment of innovative construction materials in transportation and water infrastructure projects nationwide. Investing in these new techniques and materials would help […]
AASHTO committee on construction appoints new chair, vice chair
July 30th, 2018
The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) appointed Dallas Hammit and Amy Tootle as the chair and vice chair, respectively, for the group’s committee on construction, which ensures that AASHTO’s guide to specifications for construction is kept up-to-date with the latest best practices gathered from its state department of transportation members. Hammit […]
ARTBA leader Ruane to retire
June 20th, 2018
Pete Ruane, president and CEO of the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), announced he will be retiring from the organization in October 2018 after 30 years of service, ARTBA said in a June 19, 2018, prepared statement. He is the longest tenured head of the 116-year-old organization. After Ruane’s departure, ARTBA executive vice […]
TRB releases report on resilience after natural disasters in transportation infrastructure
June 12th, 2018
On June 11, 2018, the Transportation Research Board (TRB) National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) released a prepublication, unedited version of “Synthesis 527: Resilience in Transportation Planning, Engineering, Management, Policy, and Administration” by Aimee Flannery, Maria A. Pena and Jessica Manns. The draft report documents resilience efforts and how they are organized, understood and implemented […]
GSI hosts webinar on MSE wall back drainage design
May 9th, 2018
The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) will sponsor a webinar entitled “MSE Wall Back Drainage Design,” on May 23, 2018, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT. Within GSI’s database of 301 failed mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls reinforced with geogrids or geotextiles, 64% have failed due to water. Furthermore, 73% have been constructed with fine-grained silt […]
GSI hosts webinar on MSE structure inspection
April 25th, 2018
The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) will sponsor a webinar entitled “Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) Wall, Berm and Slope Construction Inspection,” on May 9, 2018, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT. The inspection and monitoring of MSE wall, berm and slope construction using geosynthetic reinforcement is essential for providing a safe, durable system. Such inspection includes […]
ASCE accepting nominations for OPAL awards for civil engineers
April 18th, 2018
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) announced it is now accepting nominations for the society’s Outstanding Projects and Leaders (OPAL) awards. The OPAL awards honor exceptional civil engineering leaders whose lifetime accomplishments have contributed innovation and excellence in one of the five following categories: Construction: Candidates in this category are senior-level professionals whose primary […]
DFI accepting applications for women working in design/construction of deep foundations
April 17th, 2018
The Deep Foundations Institute (DFI) Educational Trust and the DFI Women in Deep Foundations Committee will award five grants of $1,750 each to women involved in design or construction of deep foundations to attend DFI’s 43rd Annual Conference on Deep Foundations in Anaheim, California, Oct. 24–27, 2018. The grant includes free conference registration and covers […]
Bituminous geomembranes on a French dam
April 1st, 2018
La Galaube Dam, an International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) facility in the south of France, completes the hydraulic system of the Montagne Noire area and provides a total water storage capacity in excess of 283 million cubic feet (8 million m3). To supply potable water to three counties and 185 municipalities in the region, […]