News

News, announcements, policy updates, spotlighted websites, software updates and other info that may be of interest to practicing geotechnical engineers, engineering geologists, geophysicists, hydrogeologists and related professions.

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Press Releases

AASHTO and ASTM International Agreement Benefits U.S. and Global Road Construction and Transportation

November 9, 2012 rockman Comments Off on AASHTO and ASTM International Agreement Benefits U.S. and Global Road Construction and Transportation

November 6, 2012, WASHINGTON – Today’s signing of an Agreement on Standards between the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and ASTM International solidifies coordination between two organizations working in the common interest of highway construction, safety, maintenance, and sustainability in the United States and around the world.

AASHTO Executive Director John Horsley and ASTM President James A. Thomas today signed an agreement which serves as the basis for continued mutual cooperation on the development and publication of highway construction standards.

[Editor] Click through for the rest of this press release from AASHTO and ASTM. [/Editor]

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Comings and Goings

Schnabel Opens New Office in New York

November 9, 2012 rockman Comments Off on Schnabel Opens New Office in New York

According to the Schnabel Engineering website: Schnabel’s NYS office is located in the Capital District region, approximately 20 miles north of Albany in Clifton Park, New York. The NYS office will focus its efforts on […]

APE large diameter helical piles, a relatively new deep foundation alternative
Available Resources

APE develops Helical Pile systems

November 9, 2012 rockman Comments Off on APE develops Helical Pile systems

Well-known pile hammer manufacturer APE has purchased technology for driving and coupling large diameter helical piles that could help make this technology more mainstream. Rather than pounding the pile into the ground, the steel drill […]

Overhead view of cleanup from the blast gone awry
Weekend CUP

Weekend CUP for November 6, 2012

November 7, 2012 rockman Comments Off on Weekend CUP for November 6, 2012

Peat stabilization earns Hayward Baker Project of the Year honors – Source: Hayward Baker China landslide buries school in Yunnan province – Source: BBC News Digging the World’s Widest Tunnel Under Downtown Seattle – Source: […]

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Press Releases

DBM Received Two Safety Awards from the International Association of Foundation Drilling

November 2, 2012 rockman Comments Off on DBM Received Two Safety Awards from the International Association of Foundation Drilling

SEATTLE.,October 15, 2012—DBM Contractors, Inc. received two safety awards from The International Association of Foundation Drilling (ADSC). DBM was one of only four contractors to receive the award in the U.S. for contractors who perform single projects in excess of $750k and one of only two contractors to receive the Rick Marshall Commitment to Excellence in Safety Award.

DBM Contractors, Inc. was honored for its safety practices with two safety awards from the International Association of Drilling Contractors (ADSC). Pictured with the Rick Marshall Commitment to Excellence in Safety Award are from left to right: Tom Tuozzolo, current Pres of ADSC; DBM representatives; Robert Carnevale, Bryce Niekamp, Jeff Wharton, Ryan Thody and Rick Walsh; and Mike Moore-ADSC Executive Director/CEO.

[Editor] Check out the rest of the press release from DBM Contractors, Inc. [/Editor]

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Press Releases

Italian Court Action Likely to Harm Efforts to Mitigate Earthquake Losses

October 27, 2012 rockman Comments Off on Italian Court Action Likely to Harm Efforts to Mitigate Earthquake Losses

On 22 October, 2012, an Italian court convicted six internationally respected scientists of manslaughter. The scientists Enzo Boschi, Giulio Selvaggi, Franco Barberi, Claudio Eva, Mauro Dolce, and Gian Michele Calvi have been sentenced to prison terms, barred from public office, and ordered to pay court costs and damages.

Their offense could have been avoided by precisely predicting the timing and nature of the tragic 2009 earthquake in L’Aquila. However, such precise, short-term earthquake prediction of the type evidently sought by L’Aquila is currently impossible. Because of the ungainly complexity of earthquake systems, knowledge of physical details is incomplete; the diverse expressions of earthquake processes deliver contradictory messages; and measurements of earthquake phenomena can be inaccurate. Glaringly, the indictment accused the scientists of having provided “incomplete”, “contradictory”, and “inaccurate” information.

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

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