Geocells protect wind turbine generator footings in India
October 1st, 2018
Soil erosion from wind and rainwater runoff was plaguing Suzlon Energy Ltd., exposing the foundations for its twenty wind energy generators (WTGs) at Behpur, Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh, India. The foundations are circular footings set at shallow depths. Sites for WTGs are selected based on where the intensity of wind is high over a major period […]
Safe storage of mining waste focus of report
August 1st, 2018
In December 2017, the United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) and GRID-Arendal, an organization that supports environmentally sustainable development in partnership with UN Environment and other collaborators, published “Mine Tailings Storage: Safety Is No Accident.” The report recommends mining companies adopt simple steps to reduce environmental destruction and death by changing the way they store […]
Final inspection: GRS–IBS bridge in place in 80 hours
June 1st, 2018
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) began work on the McCormick Quarry Bridge over Warren Avenue in East Providence on Sept. 23, 2016, using a geosynthetic reinforced soil–integrated bridge system (GRS–IBS). According to the Federal Highway Administration and RIDOT, the technique allowed crews to cut the closure time for the bridge from one year […]
Geosynthetics: To protect and conserve water
April 1st, 2018
Geosynthetics are part of a flexible, cost-effective infrastructure that helps to treat, store and deliver clean water around the world. If you’ve had a glass of clean water today, you can likely thank a geosynthetic product. Geosynthetics perform behind-the-scenes work to ensure communities have access to adequate potable water and clean waterways. They also hold […]
ECTC releases RECPs specifications
February 1st, 2018
In August 2017, the Erosion Control Technology Council (ECTC) updated its Rolled Erosion Control Products (RECPs) specification. The specifications include charts of product characteristics for mulch control nettings (MCNs), open weave textiles (OWTs), erosion control blankets (ECBs) and turf reinforcement mats (TRMs). These charts are the result of consensus among leading manufacturers of RECPs and […]
Final inspection: Civil penalties against polluters drop 60% under Trump
October 1st, 2017
An Aug. 10, 2017, report issued by the Environmental Integrity Project (EIP), indicates that, so far, President Donald J. Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has collected 60% less in civil penalties than previous administrations had recovered from environmental violators on average by the end of July in their first year after taking office. The EIP […]
Final Inspection: FAA awards $527.8 million to airports
August 1st, 2017
U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) secretary Elaine Chao announced May 31, 2017, that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will award $527.8 million in airport infrastructure grants to 584 airports across the United States as part of the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP). “The Airport Improvement Program helps to maintain our aviation infrastructure and supports safety, […]
Geo17 Watch: Learn, explore, share
January 2nd, 2017
Geotechnical Frontiers 2017 brings together the biennial Geosynthetics show, organized by the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI), and the annual Geo-Congress, organized by the Geo-Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers (G-I/ASCE), every six years, making it the largest, most comprehensive gathering of its kind. This conference and trade show originated as “Geo-Frontiers” and […]