ADAMA Software has released update 13.1 for their Mechanically Stabilized Earth retaining wall design software, MSEW 3.0 as of August 30, 2011. Some of the design methodology changes in the 2009 FHWA manual for MSE walls were implemented in Update 13, as well as a few corrections related to true bridge abutments and other bug fixes.
Project Related
North America’s Tallest MSE Retaining Wall
[Update Jan 28, 2008] It appears as if the Port of Seattle is in some hot water for some alleged shady dealings with one of the contractors on the project. More at Seattle Times. [/Update]
Erosion Control magazine has an interesting article on MSE Walls. I think the tie-in of MSE Walls with erosion control is a little questionable (they did mention wall drainage a few times), but the article highlights several interesting projects, particularly the Seattle-Tacoma Airport or Sea-Tac Third Runway Project retaining walls. The West wall for that project is the tallest MSE Wall in North America, 130-ft at its highest point. More after the break. (Photo by Sea-Tac Airport)
Software Updates
Exciting Changes for gINT Software
If you haven’t read today’s gINT Software press release on their new Google Earth capabilities in gINT, do that first. Go ahead..I’ll wait.
As readers of this site know, I’m a big fan of utilizing Google Earth as a geoengineering tool, and since I’m a big fan of gINT as a geoengineering tool as well, this news for me was like a match made in heaven! The good folks over at gINT were kind enough to give me a sneak peek at the new Google Earth functionality a couple days ago. And they also discussed a shift in their approach to updates and upgrades that will be of particular interest to all gINT users. Click through for more info. (Screenshot courtesy of gINT Software)
Software Updates
GeoStudio 2007 Update – Version 7.14
GEO-SLOPE International, makers of the GeoStudio 2007 geotechnical software suite have announced a significant update to their GeoStudio 2007 software products, which includes SLOPE/W, SIGMA/W and SEEP/W, QUAKE/W and others. The update includes several new features and a large number of fixes. The last update of GeoStudio 2007 was in September of 2008. New features of interest include: