TRULINE - In The News

Water & Wastewater News - Sept. 2009
Structural Engineering & Design – Jan. 2010

TRULINE - CANADA DEL ORO WASH CASE STUDY

The job of the Pima County Regional Flood Control District in Tucson, Arizona is to minimize flood and erosion damages for all county residents, property and infrastructure. The District is involved in a variety of flood control and natural resource management activities.

When the District faced a problem of major soil degradation at a 410 foot protection wall following severe flooding in mid 2007, they began researching alternative methods of earth to earth retention.

The soil had receded from the bank line so much that a six foot deep tow had degraded to a mere 18 inches, causing the protection wall to collapse. With four-and-a-half feet of scour, officials knew they would have problems containing the soil by the next rainy season.

A similar situation existed in another area the year before and replacement of the wall totaled $800,000. The district needed to find a lower cost yet viable alternative.

While researching retention walls and sheet piling on the internet, one of the project managers for the district discovered a product called Truline - a cast-in-place modular seawall system that combined the strength of concrete with the durability of vinyl.

While the Truline product was initially created as a seawall product, Truline General Manager Todd Hoffman and chief engineer Scott Yeany advised the district on the potential viability of this new use of the product.

"While Truline was developed as an earth-to-water product, we felt there was no reason the product couldn't adapt to an earth-to-earth application," Hoffman said.

According to reports from the District, the Truline solution minimized the need for heavy installation equipment and a large installation crew - thereby making for quicker project completion.

The job took a total of two weeks from start to completion, as opposed to the two months it took using the other method. Because it was much less labor intensive, the District was able to perform the installation with a minimum crew.

The procedure involved digging a trench and then driving ten foot sheets rigged for installation in 10" wide sections. Truline's unique u-channel shape allowed the pouring of concrete directly into place, creating a strong concrete wall with all the benefits and protection of vinyl.

According to the District, by the time the job was completed, the Truline solution came in at 25% of the cost of the prior method of repairing the protection wall, thus saving the county approximately $600,000.

They added that, the Truline product allowed them to keep within the same footprint of the existing bank protection and that, because it is much less invasive than other repair techniques, it made environmental permitting for the job much simpler.

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TRULINE RESOLVES SEAWALL CHALLENGE WITH NEW, ECO-FRIENDLY SOLUTION

See Blog on Newsday.com

Centerport, NY (August 6, 2008) - When Centerport homeowner Rosalind Resnick's 100-year-old concrete seawall was crumbling into the sea and environmentally acceptable options were dwindling, it was her boyfriend Ray Guerin who discovered the new Florida-based product Truline just in time.

Guerin happened onto to the Truline website following a three-year saga that began when Ms. Resnick purchased her property in 2005.

"It was an amazing, picture-perfect property.except for the seawall," explained Resnick. "The engineers said it had to be replaced and they put a plan together suggesting cement blocks that weighed more than 2,500 pounds each."

A two-year permitting process focused on concerns from the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) regarding the delicate ecosystem residing in the sea grass next to the existing seawall. And when the permit was finally issued in July 2007, it was determined that the cement blocks could not be brought in on the waterside of the property, only via the front of the house and over the back lawn. At 2,500 pounds each, and only three to six feet of clearance on either side of the property, this task was deemed impossible, and contractor Ron Takats of Takron Contracting had to seek alternative options.

That's when Guerin found Truline and was impressed by the sturdy, lightweight material.

"It was a no-brainer," Guerin said.

Next, he introduced Takats to the Truline product, a versatile new box piling solution for seawalls as well as other types of retention walls that combines the strength of concrete with the protection, prolonged lifespan and aesthetics of vinyl.

The Truline solution minimizes the need for heavy installation equipment, reduces yard tear up and eliminates the lengthy curing time associated with concrete panels - thereby making for quicker project completion. The unique u-channel shape allows the pouring of concrete directly into place (gravel or sand can also be used as fill), creating a strong concrete wall with all the benefits and protection of vinyl. The dual-interlocking design maintains the strength and integrity of the joints through the corners and any radius.

After revisiting the permitting process with the DEC and Town of Huntington, work was ready to begin in May 2008. Within a few weeks, the material was ordered, delivered in the front driveway and carried easily into the backyard by two people. Once the 12-foot pilings were installed, they were filled with an aggregate comprised of small ¾" rock which stabilized them.

"In my 20 years' experience this is the best product I have used for seawalls," commented Takats. "In these rocky conditions, the pilings sank in so smoothly and were so easy to manage. I have zero complaints with this product."

Ideal for both new construction and replacement of failing walls, the Truline solution combines strength, durability and superior aesthetics - providing a duel-interlocking design that creates a smooth, flat appearance as opposed to the industrial look of traditional corrugated sheet piles.

"Truline is great for marinas and people who have no access to their waterway because of beach grass," said Takats.

"It is really beautiful," said Resnick. "My neighbors keep stopping by to check on the progress and talk about how spectacular it looks."

In addition to the seawall, Takats took an innovative approach using Truline to create a series of steps that complement the project. Finishing the dock area with a boardwalk and solar lights, Takats created a complete outdoor leisure area for this home overlooking Centerport Harbor.

"I am so glad we found Truline just in time to save our project," said Resnick. "What began as a nightmare turned into the perfect dream project."

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TRULINE® PROVIDES LOCAL MARINE CONTRACTOR WITH A NEW DIRECTION IN SEAWALL/RETAINING WALL CONSTRUCTION

Bogart, GA (Oct 2007) - With more than 45 years in the seawall repair business, local contractor Bob Smith, president of Treasure Coast Marine, 1206 1st Avenue SE in Vero Beach knows a bit about what makes a good, strong seawall.

But he's also open minded enough to take a look at a new product to help him get the job done.

That's why, when he was faced with a seawall replacement job in River Shores he knew just the product he wanted to put in place.

"Now there is a wall, I like that," was what Smith said when he was introduced to Truline, a new sheet piling solution for seawalls and other types of retaining walls that combines the strength of concrete with the other protection and versatility of vinyl.

The Truline solution minimizes the need for heavy installation equipment, reduces yard tear up and eliminates the lengthy curing time associated with concrete panels - thereby making for quicker project completion. The unique u-channel shape allows the pouring of concrete directly into place, creating a strong concrete wall with all the benefits and protection of vinyl. The dual-interlocking design maintains the strength and integrity of the joints through the corners and radiuses.

Ideal for both new construction and replacement of failing walls, the Truline solution combines strength, durability and superior aesthetics - providing a duel-interlocking design that creates a smooth, flat appearance as opposed to the industrial look of traditional corrugated sheet piles. According to Smith, until Truline's innovative design was developed, this smooth appearance was only available using concrete.

"I really liked the finished look of the Truline wall, nice and flat as opposed to the 'accordion' look of other vinyl alternatives out there," Smith said.

Other marine contractors like Smith - from St. Petersburg, Florida to the UK and the Netherlands - who have historically installed concrete or corrugated vinyl have praised the system as having the aesthetic benefits of concrete with the ease of installation and protection of vinyl.

Truline walls are virtually maintenance free and will not crack, rust or corrode. UV stabilizers discourage discoloration and fading caused by sun exposure in marine environments.

Truline offers a 50 Year Limited Warranty on their sheet piling product. According to Smith, this far exceeds what is typically offered on concrete-only installation.

The firm also makes a financing program available to property owners through their contractor community.

Treasure Coast Marine has operated in Vero Beach for more than 20 years. Along with seawall repair and replacement, the company handles boat lift sales and repair and dock construction.

Treasure Coast has also worked on the docks and rip rap for Indian River County Fire station at Riverside Park and several projects for the City of Vero Beach, including the restoration of the Conn Beach boardwalk after the recent hurricanes and the Canal Bridge at Riverside and Bridge Park.

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