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.

Basalt-fiber reinforced polymer or BFRP rebar used on a bridge in Northern Ireland
Available Resources

Basalt Rock-fiber Rebar Gets First Big Test

October 5, 2010 rockman Comments Off on Basalt Rock-fiber Rebar Gets First Big Test

Basalt fiber reinforced polymer (BFRP) rebar has been installed in a bridge deck in Northern Ireland. It has twice the tensile strength of regular steel, and weighs approximately 75% less. According to the ENR article, […]

American Society of Testing Materials Logo - ASTM
Standards and Codes

ASTM Updates September 2010

October 4, 2010 rockman Comments Off on ASTM Updates September 2010

American Society of Testing Materials Logo - ASTMLast month there were several updates to standards involving texting the flexural strength of concrete as well as updates to some masonry and dimension stone standards.  ASTM D6926 – Standard Practice for Preparation of Bituminous Specimens Using Marshall Apparatus has been updated, so if you are involved in asphalt pavement testing, make sure you go and find out what the changes are. There are also a whole slew of groundwater and site investigation standards that were reapproved.

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Karl Terzaghi, father of soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering
In Memoriam

Happy KTBD 2010

October 4, 2010 rockman Comments Off on Happy KTBD 2010

That’s my lame attempt at trying to coin a new geotechnical engineering catch phrase for “Karl Terzaghi’s Birthday.”  Plus it tweeted better on Friday! Saturday, October 2 was the actual day. Every year my colleague […]

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Weekend CUP

Weekend CUP October 4, 2010

October 4, 2010 rockman Comments Off on Weekend CUP October 4, 2010

Water Use in Southwest Heads for a Day of Reckoning – Source: NYTimes.com via AGC SmartBrief Performance of Open-Graded Base Course: A Literature Search – Source: TRB Geotechnical, surveying systems improve mine safety – Source: […]

Road header breaking through at Devil's Slide Tunnel
Project Related

Devil’s Slide Breakthrough Video and Links

October 4, 2010 rockman Comments Off on Devil’s Slide Breakthrough Video and Links

Road header breaking through at Devil's Slide Tunnel The “breakthrough” media event for CALTRANS’ Devil’s Slide Tunnel project was this past Friday.  A large crowd of politicians, news crews and locals were on hand as a road-header broke through a shotcrete face in a ceremony to mark the completion of the excavation portion of the first of two tunnels.  It will still be over a year until the tunnels are opened to traffic.  The second tunnel is expected to breakthrough as early as this week. (Photo by SFGate.com)



Caltrans tunnel punch-through from Barry Parr on Vimeo.

The Video came from the Coastsider, the page also has comments from the videographer, Barry Parr, which offer a good perspective on the event.

Click on through for more links etc.

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Press Releases

Dataforensics’ PDensity and PConcrete implemented for Houston Rapid Transit Joint Venture

October 1, 2010 rockman Comments Off on Dataforensics’ PDensity and PConcrete implemented for Houston Rapid Transit Joint Venture

Norcross, Georgia, October 1, 2010 – Dataforensics software applications PDensity and PConcrete are being used by the HRT joint venture currently building the Houston Light Rail Project; a $1.46 billion dollar design, build and maintenance contract.

[Editor] Click through for the rest of this press release from GeoPrac.net sponsor Dataforensics. [/Editor]

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464px-Hoover_Dam-USA
Project Related

Hoover Dam Celebrates 75th Anniversary

October 1, 2010 rockman 2

464px-Hoover_Dam-USA On September 30, 1935, President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the Hoover Dam, telling the 10,000 people gathered at the ceremony that it was a “great feat of mankind” destined to reshape “the geography of a whole region.”  The American Society of Civil Engineers calls it one of the “Seven Modern Civil Engineering Wonders.” In honor of this significant milestone for this fantastic structure, I’ve collected some facts and figures, news articles, information on the bypass bridge, and some concerning news about the future of the dam’s ability to supply power.  Click through for more.

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