The Historic Role of Geotextiles in the Dutch Delta Works and the Geosynthetics Field

March 18, 2013 rockman Project Related Comments Off on The Historic Role of Geotextiles in the Dutch Delta Works and the Geosynthetics Field
Eastern Scheldt Storm Surge Barrier in the Netherlands

Eastern Scheldt Storm Surge Barrier in the Netherlands

TenCate geosynthetics was a textile technology company in 1953 when disastrous flooding struck the Netherlands. The company came up with some of the first applications of geosynthetics that allowed the creation of the Oostershelde Flood Barrier, a massive dam supported by 66 concrete pillars, each of which is roughly 40 meters high. TenCate is celebrating the 60 year anniversary of this achievement and Geosynthetica has an infographic showing more about the Dutch Delta Works flood control project and TenCate’s role. [Source: geosynthetica.net. Image: Architecture.about.com]

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Geologic Hazards

New Orleans Repeats Deadly Levee Blunders

August 25, 2008 rockman Geologic Hazards Comments Off on New Orleans Repeats Deadly Levee Blunders

That is the title of a Seattle Post-Intelligencer article on post-Katrina levee issues in New Orleans (by way of ASCE Smart Brief). I think the article is somewhat sensationalized, but they do cite some interesting parallels between the levee reconstruction efforts made after Katrina and the levee construction/reconstruction that occurred after Hurricane Betsy in 1965.

The article also discusses a recent US Army audit with some disturbing although not unexpected findings:

An initial September 2010 target to complete the $14.8 billion in post-Katrina work has slipped to mid-2011. Then last September, an Army audit found 84 percent of work behind schedule because of engineering complexities, environmental provisos and real estate transactions. The report added that costs would likely soar.

A more recent analysis shows the start of 84 of 156 projects was delayed – 15 of them by six months or more. Meanwhile, a critical analysis of what it would take to build even stronger protection – 500-year-type levees – was supposed to be done last December but remains unfinished.

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Standards and Codes

New ASTM geosynthetics standards for quantification of material properties for pavement components

July 6, 2010 rockman Standards and Codes Comments Off on New ASTM geosynthetics standards for quantification of material properties for pavement components

Two new standards from the Geosynthetics committee of ASTM will help define properties that can be used in the design of geosynthetic reinforced pavement. I know in my practice in Arizona, ADOT simply allows a […]

Geologic Hazards

Midwest Flooding – Collection of Links

July 1, 2008 rockman Geologic Hazards Comments Off on Midwest Flooding – Collection of Links

The Association of State Dam Safety Officials has a nice collection of links and article summaries for the recent devastating flooding that has hit the Midwest U.S. They do a nice job of breaking it down by state as well. (Image of flooding in Cedar Rapids, IA on 6/13/08. Photo by USGS)

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