Nominations are Open for EPA Region 4 Rain Catcher Award-Deadline is March 18, 2016

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ATLANTA – For the third year in a row, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting nominations for the Rain Catcher Awards for excellence in implementation of stormwater green infrastructure projects during the past year. Award categories are available for Municipal, Commercial, Tribal, and Neighborhood/Community levels.

Nominations are due to the agency by March 18, 2016. The awardees will be honored at a ceremony in Nashville, TN on May 17, 2016.

For award criteria and nomination instructions, visit the About EPA Region 4 web page at: http://www.epa.gov/ga/epa-region-4s-rain-catcher-awards.

The EPA Region 4 Rain Catcher Award recognizes excellence in the implementation of stormwater green infrastructure practices. Green infrastructure uses natural systems and/or engineered systems designed to mimic natural processes to more effectively manage urban stormwater and reduce receiving water impacts. EPA and its partner organizations have promoted the use of green infrastructure for many years as part of a comprehensive approach to achieving healthier waters. Green infrastructure reduces the volume of stormwater discharges by managing rainwater close to where it falls and removes many of the pollutants present in runoff, making it an effective strategy for addressing wet weather pollution and improving water quality.

Connect with EPA Region 4 on Facebook: www.facebook.com/eparegion4.

Vermeer Adds Two Industry Veterans to Board of Directors

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PELLA, Iowa — Vermeer Corporation announced the appointment of Robert Hund and Scott Nelson to its board of directors. Both are veteran corporate executives within the industrial equipment manufacturing industry.

“Robert and Scott bring a wealth of proven business and manufacturing leadership experience to our board,” said Jason Andringa, president and CEO of Vermeer. “Both bring strong skills in strategic thinking and financial management to our company.”

The Vermeer board is composed of world-class executives who serve as outside independent directors. These directors help bring an operational excellence mindset, a global perspective and relevant cross-functional experience to the Vermeer global agricultural and industrial equipment business.

Hund most recently was the president of Manitowoc Foodservice, a leadingcommercial kitchen equipment manufacturer. He has also held marketing and product development executive level positions with Manitowoc Cranes and led product development for the mining and construction equipment division of Caterpillar, Inc.

“Robert brings vast international and product development experience to our board of directors,” said Mary Andringa, chair of the board for Vermeer. “He has a strong record in growing opportunities via new product development, innovation and improving distribution channels on multiple continents.”

As president of Sullair LLC — an industry leading global manufacturer of compressed air solutions — Nelson leads the company’s product development, manufacturing and worldwide distribution network. He has also held executive-level positions with Doosan Infracore Construction Equipment, Doosan Infracore International and Ingersoll Rand/Bobcat Division.

“Scott has a strong global industrial equipment manufacturing and business management background,” said Mary Andringa. “We are excited that he will be joining the Vermeer board.”

For more information visit vermeer.com.

the world. To learn about Vermeer Corporation, products, the dealer network and financing options, visit vermeer.com.

Fairpoint Regional Utility System Repairs 2,800 LF Failed 30-inch Water Main by Sliplining with Fusible PVC® Pipe

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Fairpoint Regional Utility System is a regional water supply entity located east of Pensacola, Florida in southern Santa Rosa County. The utility supplies potable water to several local water supply systems, including the City of Gulf Breeze, Holley-Navarre, Navarre Beach, and Midway. Fairpoint Regional Utility’s system consists of seven aquifer supply wells located east of Milton and approximately 23 miles of water transmission mains conveying treated, potable water to the various coastal service areas. The transmission system was installed and placed into service in 2004.

A key segment of the transmission main is a 2,800 foot crossing under the East Bay. This section of the line was originally installed via horizontal directional drilling (HDD) using 30-inch DR9 DIPS HDPE pipe (32-inch OD, 24.5-inch ID). In the spring of 2014 the HDPE crossing was determined to be leaking and was taken out of service for inspection. A video of the interior of the pipeline revealed a gradual, spiraling, longitudinal crack 13 feet in length. Based on the original bore profile, the location of the crack was determined to start 408 feet from the south side of the bore at a depth of approximately 55 feet below the bottom of East Bay.

Ric Delp, Project Manager with Baskerville-Donovan, Inc., commented: “The cause of the failure is currently unknown. However, this is the second reported failure on an HDPE bore crossing in the system.” In May 2014, an RFP was issued for the repair of the main. Two repair options were solicited, including: 1) a point repair of the failure area, and 2) a complete slipline of the 2,800 foot crossing using a new pipe. Two proposals were received, with both contractors proposing to slipline the entire bore section with a new, structurally independent pipe. Fairpoint reviewed the proposals and selected T.B. Landmark to slipline the failed line with 20-inch DR18 DIPS Fusible C-905® PVC pipe.

T.B. Landmark’s project plan called for mobilization of a horizontal directional drill rig to push a 22-inch rod ball through the existing 30-inch line to proof the pipe. The drill rig was set up on the north end of the bore alignment. Proofing of the existing pipe went smoothly and was completed in a single day.

An internal pull head was used to connect the drill stem to the Fusible PVC® pipe string. Due to space limitations on the south side of the bore alignment, the pipe string was fused and pulled into the host pipe in 45-foot sections in a “fuse-and-pull” installation. Pull forces during installation never exceeded 17,000 lbs. The installation of the 2,800 foot pipe string required seven days to complete. According to Marty Adams of T.B. Landmark, “The pull forces required to install the pipe were significantly less than we anticipated.” After completion of pipe installation, the new line was flushed and pressure tested at 150 psi for two hours.
Following the pressure test, the line was disinfected and tested. Utility Services Company of Gulf Breeze, Florida made the final connections and tie-ins to place the transmission main back into service. Phil Phillips of Municipal Engineering Services, Inc., Fairpoint’s outside engineer, commented, “The ability to slipline this existing sub-aqueous bore with Fusible PVC® pipe enabled Fairpoint Utility System to rehabilitate the asset while maximizing the transmission main’s hydraulic capacity.”

Rosemont Double Shield on a Roll for Robbins

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Robust Rock Machine completes long-awaited water tunnel in Montreal

In a large November 2015 ceremony attended by the mayor of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and representatives from local media outlets, the Rosemont Reservoir tunnel construction came to a close. The long-awaited project, more than 38 years in the making, gave good cause for celebration as crew members crowded around the cutterhead of the 3.0 m (9.8 ft) diameter Double Shield TBM that had emerged into an exit shaft.

Local contractor Foraction, Inc., headed the excavation of the 4.0 km (2.5 mi) long tunnel with a TBM launch in December 2014.  Roger Lepinay, Equipment Manager for Foraction, Inc., praised the Robbins disc cutter wear in both limestone and harder rock formations: “I was impressed by the cutters, it was a nice surprise. They were quite long-lasting compared to other cutters I have used on jobs in the past.”

Lepinay characterized the ground as “almost ideal”, with a few difficult sections. “Below Montreal there is mostly thinly bedded limestone, with some shale and intrusive igneous dykes,” explained project geologist Brigitte Gagné for company Exp Service Inc.  While the limestone averaged 100-150 MPa UCS, rock in the intrusives ranged from 100-300 MPa.  The dykes were as small as 1 m (3.3 ft) wide and as large as 100 m (328 ft).  The contractor was able to successfully navigate these sections despite the varying rock strengths. Even with geologic challenges including some water inflows and over-break in small sections, the contractor was able to achieve advance rates of up to 38 m (125 ft) per day in two shifts of 9.5 hours each.   Much of the ground was self-supporting, though the contractor installed rock bolts every 2.5 m (8.2 ft) into portions of the tunnel crown, while mesh, rock bolts, and steel sheets were used in the sections of unstable rock.

The long tunnel drive at small diameter was carefully planned to optimize logistics.  The contractor utilized a muck train that could accommodate two pushes worth of excavated material.  The first kilometer (0.6 mi) was ventilated from the launch shaft, while three surface-driven 800 mm (32 in) diameter surveying wells at the 1, 2, and 3 km (0.6, 1.2, and 1.9 mi) marks ventilated the rest of the tunnel as the TBM progressed.

With the breakthrough, an important phase of the Rosemont Reservoir project is complete. The reservoir itself was built in 1960 to increase water supply to the city and a geotechnical study for the tunnel was carried out in 1977. However, other major infrastructure projects soon took priority and the project was placed on hold. By 2010, the population of the city had increased dramatically and problems with the existing reservoirs put the project back on the fast track.  The large reservoir that sat idle for decades will now be used to improve much of the city’s water supply.

As of mid-January the contractor is working to ready the tunnel for installation of the carrier pipe, consisting of 2.13 m (84 in) I.D. pre-stressed concrete cylinder pipe (PCCP). Crews will then grout the pipe in place in preparation for the Rosemont Reservoir to come online.

GSSI Unveils New GPR Technology at World of Concrete 2016

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GSSI, the world’s leading manufacturer of ground penetrating radar (GPR) equipment, will be showcasing its latest GPR technology at the 2016 World of Concrete conference, to be held February 2-5, 2016, at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, Booth # C4156. New technology to be featured includes the StructureScan Mini XT handheld GPR, as well as a 3D module for GSSI’s SIR® 4000 GPR control unit, which features numerous updates that support next-generation digital capabilities.

GSSI experts will be highlighting the new StructureScan Mini XThandheld GPR, the latest addition to the industry standard StructureScanall-in-one GPR system. Ideal for locating rebar, conduits, post-tension cables and voids, the StructureScan Mini is also used for real time determination of concrete slab thickness. Its compact design has long made the StructureScan Mini a favorite among concrete inspection professionals, especially in tight spaces or overhead survey locations. Drop by the booth to see the newest model, which features a friendly user interface and several new data collection modes. Additionally, the redesigned model is IP 65 rated- to withstand the jobsite’s toughest conditions.

Also on display will be the standard StructureScan Mini, whose 1600 MHz antenna can reach depths of up to 50 centimeters (20 inches).All the StructureScan Mini systems safely locate metallic and non-metallic targets, with an auto target feature that marks the features of interest. The systems are available with standard 2D capabilities, or with 3D capabilities for an x-ray-like image. The units’ ruggedized plastic casing and wheels ensure long-lasting performance.

The updated SIR 4000 GPR control unit on display features a variety of updates, including a new 3D functionality for Expert Mode that promises to revolutionize how three-dimensional GPR data is visualized, while simplifying an often complicated process. The controller’s innovative technology is compatible with both GSSI’s traditional analog antennas and newest digital offerings, resulting in the versatility and flexibility needed to support a wide range of users and applications.

The SIR 4000 updates also brings the StructureScan 2D and 3D collection modes to the controller, streamlining its use for the concrete construction industry. The module includes high frequency antenna-specific set-ups to ensure survey efficiency, and enables the controller to automatically recognize smart antenna set-ups. The updates also include an on-the-fly automatic gain option to better enhance the data display, while still saving the file in the original raw format for post processing. Also included is a horizontal zoom function that helps resolve smaller targets, and a “Save Image” shortcut for quick reports.

The updated SIR 4000 provides a 10.4 inch high definition display, a simple user interface, plug-and-play GPS integration, and multiple data transfer options. Designed with a number of exclusive features, the SIR 4000’s casted aluminum chassis offers superior temperature stability and an impact resistant design. The unit delivers a full IP 65 capability, and can withstand tough jobsite conditions.

TT Technologies Introduces New Downhole Tooling for the Grundodrill 4X

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AURORA, IL. – TT Technologies recently introduced new downhole tooling for its Grundodrill 4X compact HDD rig.  The new tooling improves safety and simplifies drilling operations by allowing users to quickly and safely disconnect the sonde housing segment from the drill string after the pilot bore is complete.  The system is comprised of a specially designed sub saver and clamp that locks into place and allows the operator to easily and quickly disengage the sonde housing without the use of pipe wrenches.

The compact Grundodrill 4X is designed for residential service, small diameter main installations and “last mile” operations, offering 9,800 lbs. of thrust and pullback. Using the compact drill is less intrusive and ideal for areas where larger units are not an option. The Grundodrill 4X also comes with the exclusive Smart Vice system that performs vice cycling operations automatically.