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.

Malcolm drilling crews setting up to drill secant pile shafts for TBM launch pit
Project Related

Digging deep to drill Highway 99 tunnel

April 29, 2012 rockman Comments Off on Digging deep to drill Highway 99 tunnel

Construction has started on the tunnel boring machine launch pit for the WSDOT SR 99 Tunnel Project (Viaduct Replacement). The 420 foot long pit is being constructed using secant pile retaining walls, with 2 rows […]

Crux installing micropiles for San Diego Gas & Electric
In Memoriam

Crux acquired by Quanta Services

April 29, 2012 rockman Comments Off on Crux acquired by Quanta Services

Specialty geotechnical drilling contractor, Crux Subsurface, Inc. of Spokane, Washington was acquired Quanta Services (NYSE: PWR), an S&P 500 company and a leader in infrastructure services for the electric power, pipeline and telecommunications industries according […]

Seismic Design of Geosynthetic-Reinforced Soil Bridge Abutments with Modular Block Facing
Available Resources

Seismic Design of Geosynthetic-Reinforced Soil Bridge Abutments with Modular Block Facing

April 29, 2012 rockman Comments Off on Seismic Design of Geosynthetic-Reinforced Soil Bridge Abutments with Modular Block Facing

Text from TRB: TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Web-Only Document 187: Seismic Design of Geosynthetic-Reinforced Soil Bridge Abutments with Modular Block Facing explores design methods and construction guidelines for using geosynthetic-reinforced soil (GRS) […]

No Picture
Project Related

32-Person Hot Tub Gets Lift

April 24, 2012 Ty Taylor Comments Off on 32-Person Hot Tub Gets Lift

32-Person Hot Tub Gets Lift

A New Mexico mountain resort recently unveiled their new fitness complex which featured a large indoor swimming pool and 32 person spa. Built on the side of a mountain, on side of the spa structure sits on top of approximately 12.0’ of fill material. When the spa and portions of the deck began to show telltale signs of settlement, the spa was drained and taken out of service, and an investigation was conducted. This investigation revealed a large plumbing leak which had occurred under the pool/spa deck, causing compaction and consolidation of the supporting fill materials. The general contractor on the job broke out a section of the pool deck to make the plumbing repair, and then turned to URETEK ICR for the remediation of the settlement issues.

Management was pleased that the process meant no disruption for their guests. URETEK’s solution was less than 20% of the cost of replacement of the structure.

[Editor] Click through for the rest of the post. [/Editor]

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A Geosoft VOXI 3D earth model with high susceptibility indicated as a solid volume, overlain with topography and residual magnetics; useful as an aid in mineral exploration, when prospecting or targeting drillholes
Press Releases

Geosoft releases VOXI Earth Modelling technology

April 24, 2012 rockman Comments Off on Geosoft releases VOXI Earth Modelling technology

A Geosoft VOXI 3D earth model with high susceptibility indicated as a solid volume, overlain with topography and residual magnetics; useful as an aid in mineral exploration, when prospecting or targeting drillholes

Cloud-based 3D modelling technology advances exploration geophysics for improved geologic understanding and drill targeting.

Geosoft announced the release of VOXI Earth Modelling, a cloud-based geophysical inversion software service that generates 3D voxel models from airborne or ground gravity and magnetic data. VOXI is available as part of the Geosoft 2012 Software Release.

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

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January 2012 Landslide in Papua New Guinea at site of a quarry used for an Exxon project
Weekend CUP

Weekend CUP for End of March

April 16, 2012 rockman Comments Off on Weekend CUP for End of March

Here are a few of the interesting articles I came across in March but didn’t have time to write about. Sorry for the delay in getting these out, it’s been a hectic couple of months! […]

American Society of Testing Materials Logo - ASTM
Standards and Codes

ASTM Updates for March, 2012

April 16, 2012 rockman Comments Off on ASTM Updates for March, 2012

American Society of Testing Materials Logo - ASTMThis post contains a list of new, revised and otherwise updated ASTM standards that pertain to the geotechnical engineering, materials testing and related fields. Standard C39/C39M for testing the compressive strength of concrete cyllinders was updated, as was C42/42m for obtaining and testing drilled cores and sawed beams of concrete.  The month of March also saw several geosynthetic standards being updated or added, including new standards for selecting the test method for geomembrane seams, and for testing the flexural rigidity of geogrids and other geosynthetics.  There are also a few updated standards related to asphalt mix design and sampling of asphalt.  Click through for updated ASTM Standards relating to geoprofessionals.

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