Articles by rockman

Image of a sandhog inside the new water supply tunnel number 3 for the City of New York. Photo by History.com.
Project Related

New Water Supply Tunnels Underneath New York City

March 18, 2009 rockman Comments Off on New Water Supply Tunnels Underneath New York City

Image of a sandhog inside the new water supply tunnel number 3 for the City of New York. Photo by History.com. Urban miners have been busy constructing a new water supply tunnel underneath New York City to supply the megalopolis with the water it needs. The miners, or sandhogs as they are known, are about halfway complete with the new tunnel which is expected to be in service by the year 2020. Work on the 60-mile tunnel began in 1970 and the total projected cost is $6 billion and is widely regarded as one of the most complex public works projects in the western hemisphere. When complete, it will help deliver 1.2 billion gallons DAILY to 8 million New Yorkers. The city currently gets its drinking water from two water supply tunnels that were constructed in the early 20th century and have not been inspected or repaired since then. More after the break. (Image credit History.com)

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USGS Documentary Riding the Storm - Landslide Danger in the San Francisco Bay Area
Geologic Hazards

USGS Landslide Documentary Video

March 17, 2009 rockman Comments Off on USGS Landslide Documentary Video

USGS Documentary Riding the Storm - Landslide Danger in the San Francisco Bay Area The USGS has a documentary on landslide video on landslide danger in the San Francisco Bay area entitled “Riding the Storm”. I think the target audience is more general than geologist or engineer, but it is still interesting. The bullet points from the USGS site:

  • A catastrophic 1982 rainstorm triggered 18,000 landslides in the Bay Area, claiming 25 lives and causing $66 million in property damage
  • The combination of steep slopes, weak rocks, and intense winter storms make Bay Area uplands an ideal setting for landslides
  • Landslides include both swift, potentially deadly debris flows and slower, but destructive deepseated slides
  • Learn what USGS scientists have discovered about landslide dynamics and which slopes are most susceptible to sliding
  • Hear the devastating stories of Bay Area residents affected by landslides and learn to recognize the danger signs

Click through to view the trailer and for links to download the full video. (Image credit: USGS)

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International Foundation Congress and Equipment Expo
Miscellaneous

IFCEE 2009 This Week in Orlando, FL

March 17, 2009 rockman Comments Off on IFCEE 2009 This Week in Orlando, FL

The International Foundation Congress and Equipment Expo is underway in Orlando, FL. This is one of the biggest geo-conferences out there and is sponsored by ADSC, The Geo-Institute and PDCA with the cooperation of 15 […]

No Picture
Uncategorized

GeoPrac.net Monthly Newsletter Info

March 16, 2009 rockman Comments Off on GeoPrac.net Monthly Newsletter Info

Your Source for Geotechnical, Geological and Geoconstruction related news! GeoPrac.net offers a monthly newsletter as another way of delivering high quality geotechnical, geological and geoconstruction content to the industry. We highlight the most popular content […]

Completed side-hill retaining wall for the SR 264 Second Mesa project in Arizona. Photo by Bharat Khandel, ADOT by way of NCS Consultants, LLC
Articles

Side Hill Retaining Walls – Part 1

March 12, 2009 rockman Comments Off on Side Hill Retaining Walls – Part 1

Completed side-hill retaining wall for the SR 264 Second Mesa project in Arizona. Photo by Bharat Khandel, ADOT by way of NCS Consultants, LLCSide-hill retaining walls refer primarily to fill-walls built partway down the sides of an existing slope or embankment. They are encountered in roadway and rail widening projects as well as site development but usually in steep terrain. This article provides an overview of the problems, failure mechanisms, investigation approaches, analysis tools and wall type alternatives for these structures. Click through to read the article!

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Destruction from the collapse of a subway tunnel in Cologne, Germany which swallowed Cologne's Historical Archive
Failures

Subway Tunnel Collapse in Cologne Germany

March 10, 2009 rockman Comments Off on Subway Tunnel Collapse in Cologne Germany

Destruction from the collapse of a subway tunnel in Cologne, Germany which swallowed Cologne's Historical ArchiveEarly indications are that a collapse of a subway tunnel station still under construction was to blame for the sinkhole that destroyed Cologne’s Historical Archive, home to documents dating back to 922 A.D. More info after the break. (Photo by DPA via Spiegel Online)

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Rugged Tablet PC, the Trimble Yuma
Available Resources

Your New Field PC – A Rugged Tablet from Trimble?

March 2, 2009 rockman Comments Off on Your New Field PC – A Rugged Tablet from Trimble?

Rugged Tablet PC, the Trimble YumaLast week, GPS technology company Trimble announced a new rugged tablet PC that they appear to be targeting at a variety of industries and market sectors. The Yuma is billed as having an ingress protection rating of 67 (6=dust tight; 7= protection against effects of immersion from 15cm to 1m). It also comes with integrated GPS (naturally), 2 integrated cameras (nice for geotagging), WiFi b/g and 7″ sunlight readable touchscreen display. I can see this gadget being useful for GIS professionals, geologists mapping in the field, and anyone keeping an inventory of things in the field. Its sort of like a netbook for field guys! More details after the break. (Photo by Trimble)

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American Society of Testing Materials Logo - ASTM
Standards and Codes

ASTM Updates February 2009

February 26, 2009 rockman Comments Off on ASTM Updates February 2009

American Society of Testing Materials Logo - ASTMGeoPrac’s monthly update on ASTM standards. There are a bunch of updates to C series for concrete, including standards for making and curing specimens in the field, shotcrete specs, and a handfull of geosynthetic and geomembrrane standards have been reapproved. Read on for a summary.

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Geosyntec Chairman Emeritus J.P. Giroud, Ph.D., was elected to the 2009 class of the National Academy of Engineering.
Press Releases

Jean-Pierre Giroud Elected to National Academy of Engineering

February 26, 2009 rockman Comments Off on Jean-Pierre Giroud Elected to National Academy of Engineering

Geosyntec Chairman Emeritus J.P. Giroud, Ph.D., was elected to the 2009 class of the National Academy of Engineering.

Geosyntec Consultants is pleased to announce that Jean-Pierre Giroud, Ph.D., Chairman Emeritus of the firm, has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), one of the very highest professional distinctions given to an engineer. His election citation reads: “For pioneering research in geosynthetics engineering and its practical application in civil/geotechnical engineering.”

ATLANTA—Geosyntec Consultants is pleased to announce that Jean-Pierre Giroud, Ph.D., Chairman Emeritus of the firm, has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE), one of the very highest professional distinctions given to an engineer.  His election citation reads:  “For pioneering research in geosynthetics engineering and its practical application in civil/geotechnical engineering.” [Editor] Click through for the rest of the press release. [/Editor]

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Concord GIS
Press Releases

MAPPS Identifies More Than $73 Billion in Potential Geospatial Spending in Stimulus Bill Analysis

February 26, 2009 rockman Comments Off on MAPPS Identifies More Than $73 Billion in Potential Geospatial Spending in Stimulus Bill Analysis

Concord GISRESTON, VA, February 23, 2009 – The economic stimulus bill passed by Congress and signed into law last week by President Obama includes more than $73 billion in programs that will require geospatial data, technology, services and applications in at least 24 Federal agencies, according to an analysis by MAPPS (www.mapps.org), the association of geospatial firms. [Editor] Click through for the rest of the press release. (Photo by TalkingTree) [/Editor]

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