Rockman's Ramblings
Happy Holidays from GeoPrac
Happy Holidays from GeoPrac.net! I hope they are relaxing and peaceful and that the New Year is a prosperous one for you. GeoPrac posts will be sporadic over the next 10 days or so, but […]
Year: 2010
Rockman's Ramblings
A Geoengineer’s Christmas List 2010
So last year at this time, I gave Santa my geoengineer’s Christmas list, but apparently I wasn’t good enough to get everything. I did get two things off my list, the new FHWA Drilled Shaft Manual, and the New FHWA MSE Wall Manual, but that’s about it. That’s like getting pink bunny PJ’s as a kid! So over the last year, I tried to be REALLY good, and this year I’ll just let last year’s list roll over with two additions:
An iPad
This year’s hottest gift would be great for reading my growing library of geotechnical papers, manuals, reports and books in PDF format. I like the iBook app on my iPhone, especially being able to highlight and make notes and bookmarks. And you can read an eBook allright, but try reading a scanned PDF report or paper on that little screen, doesn’t work too well. I like the idea of having my entire library of technical papers, books and reports available at my fingertips!
And the coolest goodie on my list, the one I really want… […]
Miscellaneous
Bomb scare in Kamloops B.C. just geophysical equipment and batteries
A magnetometer and some batteries from the back of a stolen pickup truck belonging to Quantec Geoscience caused a bomb scare in Kamloops, B.C. last Saturday. The local police bomb squad thought it looked suspicious […]
Available Resources
Roctest launches the world’s smallest piezometer
At only 4.8-mm in diameter and 54-mm long, it’s about as long as a finger, and thinner than a pencil! I’m guessing their claims of being the world’s smallest are probably valid. The small size […]
Geophysics
Geophysicists using fiber optic cables in homeland security applications
Researchers from Zonge Engineering in my own Tucson, Arizona along with researchers at the University of Arizona’s Mining and Geological Engineering Department (my alma mater) have completed a report on a fiber optic monitoring system […]
Project Related
USACE wants 6 sea walls at Pismo Beach
Coastal erosion is threatening existing structures at Shell Beach and northern Pismo Beach near San Luis Obispo, California. The Army Corps of Engineers suggests 6 sea walls to protect infrastructure such as two sewage treatment […]
Geologic Hazards
Pacific Northwest Rain, Flooding and Landslides
The Pacific Northwest has been hit by some heavy rainfall and associated flooding and landslides. Here are a few links that may be of interest. Softening rain, hard reminders – Source: OregonLive.com Report landslides to […]
Weekend CUP
Weekend CUP December 14, 2010
Hydro frac’ing is next round of states vs feds – Source: Arizona Geology Leaking Underground CO2 Storage Could Contaminate Drinking Water – Source: National Driller Alaskan Way Viaduct Deep Bore Tunnel Controversy – Source: Ballard […]
Available Resources
Fugro UK offers Free Courses to Consultants and Engineers
Fugro is offering free 1, 2 and 3-day classes on water investigation techniques, cone penetration testing, and engineering and environmental geophysics at several UK locations in the coming months. The water services course had it’s […]
Press Releases
Nicholson and Menard Announce Ground Improvement Partnership
PITTSBURGH, PA – December 8, 2010 – Nicholson Construction Company and Menard are pleased to announce a new strategic partnership. Under the partnership, Menard will perform the group’s ground improvement work in the United States, including controlled modulus columns™, vibro stone columns, vibro-compaction, vibro concrete columns, dynamic compaction™, rapid impact compaction, Menard vacuum™ consolidation, and wick drains. Nicholson will continue to perform its comprehensive techniques for deep foundations, earth retention and ground treatment. The two sister companies are headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and have already worked together on several significant projects.
[Editor] Click through for the rest of the press release from GeoPrac sponsor Nicholson Construction. [/Editor]