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.

Science fair winners
Miscellaneous

Kids Saying No to Engineering Careers

February 9, 2009 rockman Comments Off on Kids Saying No to Engineering Careers

That’s the title of a blog post by Loren Faulkner of California Builder and Engineer, an Associated Construction Publication. He cites a recent survey by the American Society for Quality (ASQ). ASQ/Harris conducted its survey […]

cme-550x
Available Resources

Bad Azz Drill Rig

February 8, 2009 rockman 5

I don’t think this is a new CME drill rig (Central Mine Equipment Company), but its a model I’m not familiar with.  The CME-550X is designed to minimize ground contact pressure for jobs with wet […]

Trench Box
Standards and Codes

Working Safely in Trenches and Test Pits

February 2, 2009 rockman Comments Off on Working Safely in Trenches and Test Pits

The Associated Construction Publications organization have published an article on Working Safely Underground. It’s a good refresher for those of us who occasionally find ourselves working in trenches and test pits. Make sure you do […]

Discussing channel degradation of Missouri River in Kansas City - Associated Press
Geologic Hazards

Missouri River Channel Degradation

February 2, 2009 rockman Comments Off on Missouri River Channel Degradation

A forthcoming draft study by the Army Corps of Engineers will hopefully shed light on an ongoing problem of stream bed degradation along the Missouri River. Portions of the river in Kansas City have dropped […]

Pine Hills Sinkhole, Pine Hills, Florida, 2002
Project Related

Video: The Pine Hills Sinkhole – Central Florida, 2002

January 28, 2009 rockman Comments Off on Video: The Pine Hills Sinkhole – Central Florida, 2002

Pine Hills Sinkhole, Pine Hills, Florida, 2002On June 11, 2002, a 150-foot wide and 60-foot deep sinkhole opened up in Pine Hills, Florida and came within a few feet of two 3-story appartment buildings. Geotechnical and Environmental Consultants (GEC) was contacted by the owner of the site to design emergency temporary and permanent stabilization measures to protect the buildings. The sinkhole mitigation began with a chemical stabilization of the soil using an injected sodium silicate chemical grout (incidentally, that work was performed by John N. Puder, Inc., recently acquired by Moretrench) to stabilize the sands underneath the buildings and adjacent to the sinkhole. After some GPR surveys, borings and other investigations, final sinkhole repair consisted of a 200-foot long wall omprised of interlocked 36-inch diameter steel tubular piles that extended to a depth of 50 feet. They were driven by Giken America Corp. using the press-in method which helped to avoid damage to the adjacent buildings. The entire stabilization was completed within 1-month of the initial sinkhole collapse! Click through for this fascinating video. (Photo credit Giken America Corp. by way of GEC)

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American Society of Testing Materials Logo - ASTM
Standards and Codes

ASTM Updates January 2009

January 28, 2009 rockman Comments Off on ASTM Updates January 2009

American Society of Testing Materials Logo - ASTMThis month there is a new standard related to nondestructive testing, revisions for several standards involving aggregates, cements and mortars, and the standard test method for expansion index of soils. Click through for the list.

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Software Updates

MSEW and ReSSA Updates

January 28, 2009 rockman Comments Off on MSEW and ReSSA Updates

ADAMA Software has released update 9.2 for their Mechanically Stabilized Earth retaining wall design software, MSEW 3.0 as of December 12, 2008. They also released update 3.1 for ReSSA 3.0, a reinforced soil slope design program on January 15, 2009.  The ReSSA update seems like a relatively minor one, but the MSEW update contains a number of updates related to AASHTO LRFD resistance factors and design methods.  If you are involved in MSE wall design for highway structures using LRFD, be sure to click through for a few highlights from the update and the download link.

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Moretrench Logo
Press Releases

Moretrench Acquires John N. Puder, Inc.

January 27, 2009 rockman Comments Off on Moretrench Acquires John N. Puder, Inc.

Moretrench Logo

John N. Puder Logo

Moretrench, a leader in the geotechnical construction industry, is pleased to announce that it has acquired the assets of Orlando-based geotechnical contractor John N. Puder, Inc., a respected presence in the Central Florida construction community for more than 17 years. [Editor] The rest of the press release can be read after the break. [/Editor]

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Donohoe Portrait
Press Releases

Moretrench Chairman To Receive 2009 ASCE Opal Award

January 27, 2009 rockman Comments Off on Moretrench Chairman To Receive 2009 ASCE Opal Award

Donohoe PortraitMoretrench is pleased to announce that Company Chairman John F. Donohoe is a 2009 recipient of the prestigious ASCE Opal Award.  This honor, awarded  to Mr. Donohoe for “innovation and excellence in construction of civil engineering projects and/or programs,” underscores a career dedicated to the advancement of specialty dewatering and geotechnical construction and recognizes the extraordinary contribution that he has made to the civil engineering industry over the past 45 years. [Editor] Click through for the rest of Moretrench’s press release. [/Editor]

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