Month: July 2007

Geologic Hazards

Japan Quake Kills 9, Effects Nuclear Plant

July 19, 2007 rockman Comments Off on Japan Quake Kills 9, Effects Nuclear Plant

A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck Japan on 7/16/07, killing 9 and injuring more than 150. The hardest hit areas were near the town of Kashiwazaki, northwest of Tokyo. It triggered mudslides in the town that was already effected by a Typhoon several days before. One of the most newsworthy things about this earthquake is the damage to and minor leakage of radioactive waste and coolant from the world’s largest nuclear power plant in Kashiwazaki. Read on for links and video. (Photo by Kazuhiro Nogi, AFP – Getty Images)

 

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No Picture
Journal Article Reviews

Drilled Shaft Industry Notes

July 15, 2007 rockman Comments Off on Drilled Shaft Industry Notes

In the May 2007 edition of Foundation Drilling Magazine, a publication of the Association of Drilled Shaft Contractors (ADSC), Silas Nichols, PE of the Federal Highway Administraton provided a summary of the FHWA’s role in providing guidance on drilled shaft design and construction over the years through research funding, publications and involvement in AASHTO and other agencies. Also in the article is an overview of upcoming updates to AASHTO codes, and FHWA publications. Read on for more details.

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Project Related

Jefferson Memorial’s Signs of Sinking Raise Fresh Alarms

July 15, 2007 rockman Comments Off on Jefferson Memorial’s Signs of Sinking Raise Fresh Alarms

The National Park Service is carefully monitoring a settlement problem at the Jefferson Memorial in Washington D.C. The geotechnical problem area is a seawall that borders the Memorial’s plaza that seems to be settling away from the plaza. Read on for more info. [Photo by esev]

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Press Releases

Researchers examine carbon capture and storage to combat global warming

July 15, 2007 rockman Comments Off on Researchers examine carbon capture and storage to combat global warming

While solar power and hybrid cars have become popular symbols of green technology, Stanford researchers are exploring another path for cutting emissions of carbon dioxide, the leading greenhouse gas that causes global warming.

Carbon capture and storage, also called carbon sequestration, traps carbon dioxide after it is produced and injects it underground. The gas never enters the atmosphere. The practice could transform heavy carbon spewers, such as coal power plants, into relatively clean machines with regard to global warming. [Image Credit: Statoil]

 

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Standards and Codes

ASTM Updates June 9 through July 9

July 11, 2007 rockman Comments Off on ASTM Updates June 9 through July 9

Here are some revised ASTM standards and work items that pertain to geotechnical engineering, pavement, construction QC/QA, and laboratory testing etc. Of special interest to some of you might be the revised standard for moisture and density testing using a nuclear density gauge or nuke gauge, ASTM D6938. There are a bunch of others as well. 

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Geologic Hazards

Arizona Earth Fissure Planning Maps

July 11, 2007 rockman Comments Off on Arizona Earth Fissure Planning Maps

According to Lee Allison’s Blog (Lee is the head of the Arizona Geological Survey and the Arizona State Geologist), the AZGS has released earth fissure maps of 4 Arizona Counties suitable for planning purposes. Read on for more details.

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