Month: August 2007

Figure 1 This cut slope in massive, unfractuired conglomerate was smooth blasted. Treatment consisted of only drill trace removal on the main slope, but ledges were cut in natural boulder lenses at the cut end where similar features are in the adjoining natural terrain.
Miscellaneous

FHWA State Geotechnical Workshops

August 28, 2007 rockman Comments Off on FHWA State Geotechnical Workshops

The FHWA has recently updated its geotechnical engineering site related to their annual State Geotechnical Workshops. All regions with the exception of the Southwest have their Workships this September and October. The next Southwest Geotechnical Engineers Conference will be in April of 2008. The 2007 SGEC was on April 23 – 27, 2007 in Overland Park, Kansas. They have posted PDF versions of the presentations at the conference on their FTP site. Read on for the dates of the upcoming workshops, as well as a link to the FHWA site and the presentation downloads.

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Press Releases

New Costs for New Orleans 100-Year Hurrican Protection

August 27, 2007 rockman Comments Off on New Costs for New Orleans 100-Year Hurrican Protection

Corps Releases New Risk Maps for the New Orleans Area;
Powell Releases New Costs for 100-Year Hurricane Protection

Administration to work with Congress for additional drainage measures beyond 100-year commitment

NEW ORLEANS (August 22, 2007) – Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding Donald E. Powell and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Director of Civil Works Maj. General Don T. Riley today detailed the improved hurricane protection that will be provided to New Orleans area residents once the city’s levees are built to the 100-year level. In addition, Powell announced $6.3 billion of further funding needed for improved protection for the New Orleans area and the Administration’s plan to secure necessary funds to complete the work by 2011.

[Editor] Photo by greenmannowar [/Editor]

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Press Releases

Panama Canal Awards Expansion Program Manager Contract to CH2M HILL

August 23, 2007 rockman Comments Off on Panama Canal Awards Expansion Program Manager Contract to CH2M HILL

LEADING FULL-SERVICE GLOBAL FIRM WILL ASSIST ACP IN MANAGING EXPANSION PROGRAM


Photo copyright Panama Canal Authority

PANAMA CITY, Panama, August 17, 2007 – After a thorough evaluation of the received proposals, the Panama Canal Authority (ACP) awarded the Program Manager contract to CH2M Hill last Wednesday. The leading full-service global firm and number one program management firm in the United States will assist the ACP in the management of numerous contracts including those for design and construction of the two post-Panamax lock structures under its Expansion Program.

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Miscellaneous

Engineering Geology in World War 1

August 21, 2007 rockman 2

People (including myself) tend to forget the origins of the term "Land Mine". Mines in medieval times referred to excavations for the purpose of undermining an enemy’s fortifications. In World War 1, before the age of aerial bombardment and cruise missiles, underground mines were used to plant explosives under enemy lines. In addition to British, German and American sappers that performed these tasks, the Australians had a contingent of miners and geologists who were involved in the Western Front of the War in France and Belgium and were responsible for what was then the largest man-made explosion in history. I hope you enjoy this interesting article. Thanks to Geology.com for the link.

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No Picture
Available Resources

Geosynthetics Manufacturer Posts Product Videos

August 15, 2007 rockman Comments Off on Geosynthetics Manufacturer Posts Product Videos

Gundle/SLT Environmental, Inc. (GSE) is a manufacturer and marketer of geosynthetic lining products and services in the following markets: agriculture, aquaculture, canals, civil, golf courses, mining, power, sportsfields, stormwater retention, waste containment, wastewater, and other industrial applications. They have recently released a series of product videos on YouTube. But you don’t have to search for them yourself, you can watch them right here on GeoPrac, just read on! Thanks to Geosynthetica.net for the heads up.

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Press Releases

USACE Blasts Time Magazine Article

August 14, 2007 rockman Comments Off on USACE Blasts Time Magazine Article

USACE responds to TIME magazine’s August 13, 2007, cover story, "The Threatening Storm"

WASHINGTON (August 13, 2007) – TIME magazine’s August 13, 2007, cover story, "The Threatening Storm," contains many errors and misrepresentations of facts with respect to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hurricane Katrina, and ongoing efforts to improve hurricane and storm damage reduction for southeast Louisiana.

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Google Earth - Logo copyright Google Inc.
Available Resources

Google Earth for Geotechnical Engineers and Geologists

August 7, 2007 rockman 1

Google Earth - Logo copyright Google Inc.Google Earth is a software application that uses satellite and aerial photo imagery, terrain, maps, 3D buildings and Google Search data to view information in our world in two and three dimensions in real time. I’m curious how other geotechnical engineers and engineering geologists are using Google Earth in their practice. Read on for some GE related resources I’ve found useful or interesting, and then post a comment on how you use Google Earth in your practice and for fun! (Logo copyright Google Inc.)
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