Articles by rockman

No Picture
Rockman's Ramblings

Download Update: VBA and Excel…Part 2

July 21, 2008 rockman Comments Off on Download Update: VBA and Excel…Part 2

My apologies to anyone in the past two months who tried to download my sample Excel spreadsheet that went along with the article " VBA and Excel for Engineers and Scientists – Part 2". I didn’t notice that there was a problem with the download until a new member emailed me about it (thanks Chris). I believe that it’s working now, if not be sure to email me! By the way, I’ve been out in the field since last week, sorry for the sparse posts.

Download the GeoPrac-VBA2-Examples.xls Spreadsheet (Excel 97-2003 format, but works with 2007 also)

[…]

Available Resources

Yucca Mountain – $32 Billion More

July 17, 2008 rockman Comments Off on Yucca Mountain – $32 Billion More

Thanks to Harold at the Ontario-geofish blog, I came accross this AP article that releases the first Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository cost estimate update since 2001. The US DOE now puts the cost of the facility at $90 billion, up $32 billion from that 2001 estimate. Of course that estimate is slightly deceptive. It covers the $9 billion already spent and 100 years of operation. Perhaps the bigger issue is funding has not been secured largely in part to the efforts of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (Democrat-NV). If a steady stream of money can be secured, the best case scenario for the facility is a 2020 opening. 

I also found a neat blog called Yucca Facts that has a refreshing perspective on the facility that is pro-science if not necessarily pro-Yucca. They also have a commentary about this latest DOE announcement and some commentary on Senator Reid.

[…]

Available Resources

ArcGIS API for Google Maps

July 17, 2008 rockman Comments Off on ArcGIS API for Google Maps

From Google Maps Mania Blog:

The ArcGIS JavaScript Extension for Google Maps allows map developers to extend the Google Maps API to use ArcGIS Server services. With the extension, you can add your own data to a Google Map and embed this map in your own page.

ESRI have a number of examples of what can be achieved using their new API. Examples and reference for the API can be found here. Using the API you can:

  • Display your own maps on top of a Google Maps base map.
  • Execute a GIS model and display the results in Google Maps.
  • Search for features in your GIS data and display the results on Google Maps.
  • Find addresses using your own address locator and display the result on Google Maps.
  • Display attributes from your GIS data on the map using the Google Chart API.
  • Allows others to add GIS functionality from your server as a Google Mapplet.

On the surface, it seems like this news would only be of interest to GIS professionals and geeks like me. But the truth as I see it is that this development for extending the popular ArcGIS platform to the internet will lead to a whole host of new online applications and mashups that will be both fun and useful. (Screenshot by way of Mapperz)

[…]

Geologic Hazards

Landslide Causes Train to Derail into Mississippi River

July 10, 2008 rockman Comments Off on Landslide Causes Train to Derail into Mississippi River

Four engines pulling a freight train derailed July 9 and landed in the Mississippi River after hitting a landslide or major rockfall. The accident happened near Guttenburg in northeastern Iowa. Two workers on the train were injured, one was rescued by boat. The engines are now leaking diesel fuel and transmission oil into the river, but crews are on scene to attempt to contain the contamination which has apparently spread 5 miles downstream. Two ethanol tankers derailed as well but do not appear to be leaking. Several rail cars carrying grain have spilled also. There are 75 cars still on the track. Via Reuters and The Gazette (Cedar Rapids, IA). (Photo credit: Orlan Love/The Gazette)

[…]

Failures

Johannasburg Sinkhole Opens after Tunnel Collapse

July 10, 2008 rockman Comments Off on Johannasburg Sinkhole Opens after Tunnel Collapse

A 12m long sinkhole opened up on Oxford Road in northern Johannesburg South Africa after a partial tunnel collapse in the Gautrain rail tunnel being constructed underneath the road. Eyewitness accounts say there was a broken water pipe flooding the sinkhole, but no word on which occurred first. The road is expected to be closed for 2 weeks. Gautrain representatives said the tunneling would resume after geotechnical/geological investigations into the collapse are completed, which could take "several weeks". (Photo credit: Werner Beukes, Sapa via News24.com)

Via The Star (Zambia) and News24.com (Johannesburg?)

[…]

Press Releases

Wolosick receives 2008 Martin S. Kapp Foundation Engineering Award

July 10, 2008 rockman Comments Off on Wolosick receives 2008 Martin S. Kapp Foundation Engineering Award

John R. Wolosick, P.E., M.ASCE, of Hayward Baker Inc. has been named the recipient of the 2008 Martin S. Kapp Foundation Engineering Award.

Odenton, Md. (Vocus/PRWEB ) July 9, 2008 — John R. Wolosick, P.E., M.ASCE, has been named the recipient of the 2008 Martin S. Kapp Foundation Engineering Award. The Geo-Institute Board of Governors of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) selected Wolosick for this award, noting his valuable contributions to micropile design and development, slope stabilization and retaining wall repairs.

The award citation presented to Wolosick cited his work for “novel and innovative design and construction applications for micropiling, earth retention, slope and dam stabilization works and the dissemination of this experience through publications, presentations, seminars and tireless promotion of new technology for acceptance in industry and government.”

[Editor] Click through for the rest of the press release [/Editor] 

[…]

Geotaggng images
Articles

Geotagging Images for Geoengineers

July 10, 2008 rockman Comments Off on Geotagging Images for Geoengineers

Geotaggng images

Geotagging is the process of adding geographic metadata (ie. latitude, longitude and sometimes elevation and bearing) to digital photos or other media. In this article, I will examine the equipment needed, the software to help with the process and what you can do with your geotagged photos.

[…]

Project Related

Lasers, Software and the Devil’s Slide

July 1, 2008 rockman Comments Off on Lasers, Software and the Devil’s Slide

[Editor] National Science Foundation (NSF) Press Release – June 30, 2008. Screenshot Credits: Jeramy Decker, Kiewit Corp [/Editor]

Running for more than 1,000 kilometers along picturesque coastline, California’s Highway 1 is easy prey for many of the natural hazards plaguing the region, including landslides.

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is currently building a kilometer-long tunnel to bypass one of the most landslide-prone stretches of the highway, the Devil’s Slide, to help ensure drivers’ safe passage.

Using a new software package developed by researchers at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va., project engineers are getting a detailed 3-D view of the rock exposed in the excavation, adding a new tool for improving both safety and construction progress.

[Editor] Click through for the rest of the press release. [/Editor] 

 

[…]

Software Updates

Geokon Demos New Vista Data Vision Site Monitoring Software

July 1, 2008 rockman Comments Off on Geokon Demos New Vista Data Vision Site Monitoring Software

Geokon has a new demo site for their implementation of Vista Data Vision software. It uses real data from a bridge monitoring project but the identity of the bridge has been witheld. The company uses the third party software to provide real-time data and alerts from their dataloggers for a variety of site monitoring applications, including tiltmeters, strain gauges, extensometers, pressure transducers and more. Check out their newsletter for instructions on how to use the demo site if you have trouble. (Screen capture credit: Geokon)

[…]