Estimating live loads in MSE wall and slope design
June 1st, 2018
In formulating a factor-of-safety value for a mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall or slope project, a design engineer calculates a ratio of resisting forces to driving forces. This contrast is further recognized when using load and resistance factor design (LRFD), which is in our not-too-distant future. The resisting forces are the soil’s inherent properties (e.g., […]
GeoDallas Watch: 2018 GeoDallas schedule announced
June 1st, 2018
June World Environmental & Water Resources Congress June 3–7 | Minneapolis, Minn. Hosted by the Environmental & Water Resources Institute (EWRI) of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the World Environmental & Water Resources Congress brings together the top environmental and water resources infrastructure professionals. Topics include erosion and sediment control, numerical modeling, hydraulic […]
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 […]
Geocomp hires Epstein as Southeast regional manager
May 3rd, 2018
Geocomp, a geostructural consulting, design, instrumentation and testing company, hired Aaron C. Epstein, P.E., to lead the consulting division in the company’s Atlanta, Georgia, offices in the position of Southeast regional manager, the company said. Epstein will develop Geocomp’s southeastern U.S. geostructural engineering services, expand opportunities for structural health monitoring and geotechnical instrumentation/monitoring, and support […]
NHI hosting course on earth retaining structures in New Mexico and California
April 30th, 2018
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) National Highway Institute (NHI) will host a three-day instructor-led course on earth retaining structures twice this summer, in Sacramento, California, and Santa Fe, New Mexico. The course (Course Number FHWA-NHI-132036) will provide state-of-the-practice design tools and construction techniques to expand implementation of safe and cost-effective earth retention technologies, NHI said. […]
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 […]
GeoDallas Watch: Geosynthetics in transportation and environmental applications highlight two-day event
April 1st, 2018
GeoDallas 2018 is an intimate two-day educational event focusing on the theme Geosynthetics in Transportation and Environmental Applications to be held in Dallas, Texas, Oct. 16–17, 2018. The conference includes half-day short courses, case studies, panel discussions and training lectures. The full schedule for the conference will be announced in late April at www.GeoDallas.com. Attendees […]
GMA Techline
August 1st, 2017
Liner repair? Pullout tests? Sewn seams? Shear strength of sludges? Geomembrane liner repair Q: I have a facility that has submitted liner repair documentation for the repair of a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) liner for a leachate/stormwater pond at an industrial landfill site. The repairs were performed using either a patch or, for indentations and small […]
History of geosynthetics use on national forest roads
June 1st, 2017
Introduction The objectives of this article are to document the long history of geosynthetic materials used in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service and other rural roads, to document the many creative and useful ways geosynthetics have been used, and to promote the cost-effective uses of geosynthetics in road projects today, particularly on […]
Recap of the 2017 Geotechnical Frontiers conference
June 1st, 2017
More than 2,100 attendees and some 200 exhibitors flocked to the Hyatt Regency Orlando Hotel in Florida, March 12–15, 2017, for the jointly sponsored Geotechnical Frontiers conference. A major event in the geosynthetics world, the once-every-six-years conference unites the Geosynthetics Conference of the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) and its division, the Geosynthetics Materials Association […]