This is the fi rst time the De-partment of Highways has offi cially adopted Reinforced Earth® technique for roadway widening over steep terrain on Route No.11, which is a transportation link between the North and North East of Thailand.

These works will help meeting increased traffi c demand and boost development in this region. The fi rst phase of project is a 10km sketch of roadway widening from two to four lanes, invol-ving the construction of 15,000m2 of Reinforced Earth® walls which will be designed, supplied and installed by Freyssinet Thailand.

This project includes 10 walls with a maximum height of 14m, which will make these struc-tures the highest ever built in Thailand. Three different facing patterns are used and the most applied of these patterns is a “Pyramid” fi nish, which will give an imposing view to travelers.

The construction of the Reinforced Earth® walls started in July 2010 and should be completed in February 2012.

Some news from Japan to start the 7th issue of TAI Network.

As all of us know a mega thrust earthquake of magnitude 9 on the Richter scale stroke the Tokohu region on March 11st, inducing a tsunami which caused havoc on a 500km long coastline, killing probably close to 30 000 people and trigge-ring one of most dramatic civil nuclear accident since the be-ginning of this industry.

Our licensees in Japan, Sumisho Tekko Hanbai and JFE Shoji Terre One, as well as our sub-licensee Hirose, had employees in Sendai at that time.

Fortunately all of them, as well as their close families, did not suffer any fatalities, despite severe damages to properties.

All our friends in Japan have a strong moral, the will to recons-truct the devastated areas and have showed a true samurai spirit. We wish them all the best and ensure them of TAI’s deep sympathy for Japanese people.

The TAI activity in Japan started in the early 70’s and the licence agreements were initially sig-ned in 1974. Since that time around 10,000,000m² of Rein-forced Earth® structures have been built in this country and have proved the great effi ciency of this construction technique due to one of its essential pro-perties: resilience.

Resilience can also be an or-ganizational characteristics allowing us to face adverse market conditions as it is now the case in some countries. We should always keep in mind that this principle of resilience, as opposed to rigidity, is under-lying our core values of strong community spirit: unimpeded communication, solidarity and networking can only make us collectively stronger.

Philippe HéryExecutive Vice President TAI

Thailand or ethymologically Muang Thai, the «Country of Free People», has a good potential for the Reinforced Earth® activity.

It is present in this issue of TAI Network with news on the nomination of Mr Borvornbhun Vonganan as new Managing Director of Freys-sinet Thailand and on the organization in Ban-gkok of the Regional TAI Technical meeting for Asia and Australasia at the end of April.

Edito

N ° 7 - M a y 2 0 1 1

NETWORK

Front page

Thailand: Uttaradit-Denchai road across Prueng Mountain

The fi rst Reinforced Earth® structure was constructed in Italy in 1973.Over the next few following years, small structures were realized directly from France. Then, in October 1980 the company Terra Armata S.r.l. was established and was initially managed from Spain.In 1983 Terra Armata S.r.l. had its own Offi ce with an entirely Italian staff.Since then, more than 1 million m² of Reinforced Earth® structures and 34,000m² of TechSpan® tunnels have been constructed.In 1989, Terra Armata S.r.l. contributed to develop the TerraTrel® system by fi nancing the construction of real-dimensioned models to set up a new type of facing. The facing was especially conceived to avoid deformations and guarantee the growth of vegetation. More than 350,000m² of TerraTrel® walls have been constructed in Italy.

During these 30 years of activity, Terra Armata Srl has reached exceptional records, among them: • 1990 Reinforced Earth®: planning, design and supply in 3.5 months of 13,500m² for Egnazia project, Bari, 18 bridge abutments, 1 tiered wall 24m high. The design started on January 24th and the road opening was inaugurated on May 15th; • 1998 TerraTrel®: the biggest green TerraTrel® structure with expanded clay, 32,000m² Autostrada Fiumicino, Roma; • 1999 TechSpan®: the biggest TechSpan® structure with a span close to 21m; • 2008: The biggest contract 84,000m² was signed by Terra Armata Srl. for the Tripoli Third Ring Road, in Libya.

Today Terra Armata S.r.l. has its head offi ce in Rome and a marketing offi ce in Milan.

Terra Armata S.r.l. (Italy)South Africa - Dorstfontain Coal slot

Reinforced Earth (South Africa) has just completed this coal slot which has a length of 82m, a width of 28m and a depth of 18.5m. The slopes of the specifi cally designed panel is 55°.It is the fi rst structure of this type built with the Reinforced Earth® tech-nique since 1998. Compared to other methods, the advantages are the speed of construction and the pos-sibility to equip the conveyor tunnel during the erection of the panels.

Project

Turkey - Kemerhisar-Pozantı Motorway

For the fi rst time, the TerraNailTM technique was applied in Turkey on the project “Kemerhisar-Pozantı Motorway” for the administration of Republic of Turkey Ministry of Transpor-tation together with “Kolin Insaat” as the contractor.

The project was fi rst designed as conventional Reinforced Earth® wall with maximum height of 13.25m. However, due to the site conditions, it was suggested to use the TerraNailTM technique to minimize the earth-moving works. By utilizing the Terra-NailTM technique, the required steel strips amounts and base width of the Reinforced Earth® wall were reduced signifi cantly. The frictional connection was used by special ladder strips connected to the soil nails.

The 1,480m² TerraNailTM wall with concrete panels was completed in January 2011.

Company focus

The Company is managed by Mr. Giovanni Muciaccia. The staff is composed by the Secretariat (1 person) the Design Department (5 people), the Production & Logistics Department (2 people), 1 project Coordinator, the Accountancy & Financial Department (2 people), the Marketing Department (3 people including the Marketing Director based in Milan), the Communica-tion & Promotion Department (1 person).

The relatively small dimension of the company, with a well balanced combination of younger personnel and personnel who has been working with Terra Armata over more than 10 years, gives the offi ce the right atmosphere to work with enthusiasm and proactive cooperation.

Terra Armata S.r.l. offers design and supply to its clients and, if required, also provides construction by setting up temporary agreements with subcontractors specia-lized in Reinforced Earth® construction works.

Project

NETWORK

Project

Italy - Variante di Valico along the A1 between Bologna and Firenze

In one of the most important projects of highways under construction in Italy, Terra Armata has been delivering several structures in TerraClass® and TerraTrel®.

The whole project has a high level of construc-tion diffi culties, especially for underground works (the longest tunnel of the project is more than 8km long). The geotechnical and

morphological characteristics of the soil make it one of the most complex region in Europe with this respect.

This complex project has attracted an international interest for the technological solutions adopted (for example the embankments lightened with expanded clay or the use of the biggest tunneling machine in the world).

In December 2010, our client organized an inauguration ceremony. During the visit of the site a foreign delegation showed a great admiration for a TerraClass® structure standing near the entrance of the tunnel. They congratulated our Client for the high balance between design and landscape and for the accuracy of erection of the structure.The retaining wall, on the photo, with a surface of about 2,000m² and a height of 15m, is particularly interesting for its curvilinear development and the fi nish in Luserna stone blending it naturally into the landscape.

True Resonance spirit by Reinforced Earth India

Reinforced Earth India is one of the youngest TAI entities, both in average age of its staff and in years of existence, since it joined the Group less than 5 years ago. Due to its dominant position on the market, it is playing the role of fl agship for Soletanche Freys-sinet in India providing a strong support to the development of Freyssinet Menard India and Nuvia. The three companies are sharing the same premises in New Delhi as well as administra-tive and fi nancial resources and this is a world “première”.

Going one step further than Re-sonance, Reinforced Earth India is also helping Vinci to start the concession activity.

Chile - Signature of a protocol on a safety programCamera Chilena de Construction (CChC) has a health and safety division called Mutual, which helps companies to implement and work with good health and safety procedures.

Freyssinet Tierra Armada Chile, represented by its General Ma-nager, Mr M.N. Van den Berg, and the Mutual de Seguridad CChC, represented by Mrs A.

RECo USA Celebrates 40th Anniversary

In January 2011, RECo USA cele-brated its 40th anniversary. The fi rst Reinforced Earth® structure constructed in the United States, as part of Federal Highway Administration Demonstration Project 15, was a major lands-lide repair on Highway 39 in the Angeles National Forest.

After considering the alternatives, the FHWA, in conjunction with the California Department of Transportation, agreed that Reinforced Earth® was uniquely suited to correct the landslide problem.Following that successful project (the retaining wall remains in service), additional Reinforced Earth® structures were soon constructed in Washington, Tennessee, Georgia, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota. These projects were technically chal-lenging, including landslide buttresses in mountai-nous areas, bridge abutments, high retaining walls, a wall along a tidal estuary, and even a foundation reinforcement slab over a sinkhole-prone area. From these fi rst experiences, it was recognized that Reinforced Earth® structures, with their unique high strength and fl exibility, could be constructed under both ordinary and adverse conditions and would support extremely heavy loads, even on marginal foundation conditions. Hence the US market has grown to include more than 40,000 completed structures spanning all 50 states. See also attached Special issue from RECo USA.

Technical Meeting in BangkokAfter the technical meetings for American en-tities and for European, African and Middle East entities, a similar meeting gathered represen-tatives from Asian and Australasian entities (In-dia, Hong Kong, Australia, Malaysia, Vietnam, South Korea and Thailand) and from RE USA and SoilTech in Bangkok on April 28 and 29, 2011. Topics tackled were various, from design

standards to non-standard applications, with a session on TechSpan® arches and the presen-tation of new systems and products like Geo-TrelTM and the GeoStrap®/EcoStrapTM range. The audience was very participative. Bangkok was highly appreciated by the participants, thanks to the very good organisation nicely provided by Freyssinet Thailand.

Events Group news

NETWORK

Contador E., Director of Clients for the Divi-sion of Construction and Mining, signed an agreement regarding the implementation of safety guidelines on work sites.

Reinforced Earth® walls hold up well in fl oods

The fl oods that ravaged Australia recently have caused substantial damage to road and bridge infrastructures, particularly in Queens-land and Victoria. As a result of these fl oods, various infrastructures needed to be urgently assessed for damage.

The Reinforced Earth Company has major works underway on the Dinmore to Goodna section of the Ipswich Motorway south of Brisbane. This includes 20,000m² of Reinforced Earth® re-taining walls at various stages of construction.

The main contractor, The Origin Alliance contacted The Reinforced Earth Company shortly after fl ood waters had receded to ar-range an investigation and assessment of the various walls affected by the fl ooding to de-termine whether any rectifi cation or recons-truction works would be required.

Systematic inspections reviewed the condi-tion of the wall facing elements for move-ment, condition of select fi ll, and examined any evidence of loss of material from either inside or underneath the structures.

Despite complete inundation of many walls, only minor damage was observed which is easily rectifi able. On a whole, it was found that all the permanent walls were sound with the possibility that the earth block had conso-lidated slightly in some instances.

Overall, the assessment demonstrated the re-silience of Reinforced Earth® structures during rare but extreme fl ood events.

Such good behaviour of Reinforced Earth® structures under construction was evidenced during similar events in the Jammu and Kash-mir state of India a few years ago.

Technique

Safety

Australia – M2 motorway upgrade in the fast lane

An alliance between Transurban Group and Leighton Contractors to upgrade the existing Hills M2 Motorway has awarded Reinforced Earth (Australia) with the design and supply of approximately 14-18,000m² of Reinforced Earth® retaining walls. A challenge of this project was to ensure that the Reinforced Earth® walls retain the same look as the existing Freyssisol® walls that were built in the 1990’s by the then Austress Freys-sinet, whilst also completing the project within a very short timeframe. On-site construction will commence in April 2011 and is scheduled to be completed by April 2012.

Egypt – First project in the land of the Pharaohs

Menard Freyssinet Egypt, under the supervision of the Reinforced Earth division of Freyssinet Gulf, has obtained the fi rst contract for a TechSpan® project. Actually it is the fi rst contract ever obtained for a TAI technique in this country. The purpose of the structure is the protection of a gas pipeline on the regional ring road Badr – El Asher.

Canada - In memoriam of Robert Mackenzie (1915 – 2011)

The RECo Canada Team is sad to announce that their Senior Vice Pre-sident and a member of the Board of Directors for the Reinforced Earth Company Ltd., Canada, Mr. Robert (Bob) Mackenzie, P.Eng. passed away

February 25th, 2011 in his 96th year. See attached leafl et to learn more about him.

South Africa - Goodbye Mike – Welcome Eddie

New Financial Manager, Mr Eddie van Niekerk has replaced Mr Mike Redshaw who retired at the end of 2010, after more than 30 years with the company!

Thailand - Mr Borvornbhun Vonganan, new Managing Director

Freyssinet Thailand has announced the appointment of Mr Borvornbhun Vonganan as a new Managing Director, with responsibility for managing and deve-loping all aspects of business in both post-tensioning and Reinforced Earth® systems. Mr Vonganan has been working for the Group for more than 10 years, and was previously General Manager. He holds a Ph.D. in Civil engineering. He replaces Mr Chalee Mauleekoon-phiroj, the former Managing Director and founder of Freyssinet Thailand, who recently retired.

PeopleDaniel Calatrava

« I began my pro-fessional career with Freyssinet-Tierra Armada de Venezuela on Fe-bruary 5th, 2001.

In this company I held a variety of positions including Designer Engineer, Designer Coordinator and Project Manager.

During the period that I worked for FTA, I was involved in the design of more than 250,000m² of walls and I had been in charge of more than one thousand biddings.

As a Project Manager I at-tended important international meetings of the Group in Ma-drid 2007 and Paris 2009.

In meetings in Madrid 2010 and Brazil 2010 I gave presen-tations on some Venezuelan experiences including the main features and the uses of the LittleWall, a system adapted for the Venezuelan market that consists of a reduction in size of the TerraClass® panel.

Being offered an opportunity, my wife and I decided to move to Canada. We thought that this country would be the best one for our future.

Thanks to the solidarity that exists among Companies of the TAI Group, since July 2010 I have gained a lot of experience at RECo Canada in design, pro-motion and bidding for pro-jects as well as in solving fi eld problems in Trinidad. I faced some challenges after I arrived in Canada, but I have found a very supportive company whe-rein I have been treated like a member of the family, and that is Reinforced Earth Canada and that I am truly grateful.»

Flash newsPoland - First battered walls

Freyssinet Polska has completed the design and supply of the fi rst battered walls in Poland for the approaches of two new fl yovers along the bypass of Poznan. The general contractor is Intercor Sp. z o.o. The project in-cludes 4 walls: 3 with TerraClass® and 1 with TerraPlus® panels, totalizing 760m2 in complex arrangement. Terra-Class® walls are sloping 12 degrees. The Investor is The General Management of National Roads and Highways. Freyssinet Polska was awarded the work of designing, supplying of all RE components and technical training.

USA - Bass River Bridge Replacement, New Jersey - Group synergy

TAI Network No. 6, page 4 spoke of the Mullica River Bridge Replacement project. During the early construction stages of the Mullica project, RECo and Menard learned of another project to be designed for the same owner (New Jersey DOT). The future project, Bass River Bridge Replacement would be built a dis-tance of 5km from the Mullica project.The solution that the RECo-Menard system provided is to offer a stable MSE structure in high compressible soils with a cost-effi cient and time-saving construction method.

RECo is supplying Materials and Services to Both US Eurovia Subsidiaries

Construction has started on two important projects in the southeast region of the USA. The fi rst is a project in the city of Charlotte, North Carolina. On this project RECo USA has contracted for the design and supply of Reinforced Earth® walls with Blythe Construction Inc., one of the two Eurovia subsidiaries in the US. For RECo, work entails undertaking a design-build approach for walls comprising a minimum of 6,000m² TerraClass® and approximately 1,100m of top out elements. For Blythe, the work entails the completion of the last fi ve miles of the Charlotte Loop.

The other project is located in Seminole County, Florida, north-east of the city of Orlando. Here RECo has contrac-ted with Hubbard Construction Company, the other Euro-via subsidiary in the US. RECo will supply Hubbard with 8,600m² of Reinforced Earth® wall utilizing square facings. For Hubbard, the work entails constructing a major inter-change that will extend the regional tollroad on the main interstate’s east side with a regional parkway on the main interstate’s west side, thus allowing improved access to the interstate from either direction. Estimated completion is Fall, 2011.

Director of publication: Philippe Héry - Project manager: Mathilde Cachart - Assistant: Florence Jamian - Email: mathilde.cachart@freyssinet.com - Tel. +33 1 46 01 85 04 - Fax : +33 1 46 01 86 86

Photo credit: Picture library Soletanche Freyssinet - www.terre-armee.com

NETWORK