Retaining wall reinforcement
Redi-Rock International released the Redi-Rock Positive Connection (PC) System which, according to the company, offers greater efficiency and overall economy under both Allowable Stress Design (ASD) and Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) methodologies. The PC system uses a corrosion-free reinforcement system without special connection components. It increases wall height with reduced geosynthetic reinforcement requirements and simplifies the wall construction sequence resulting in faster installation, Redi-Rock said.
Redi-Rock International – www.redi-rock.com

Infrastructure modeling and design
Autodesk Inc. released two new software programs. Autodesk Infrastructure Modeler 2012 is conceptual design software that helps GIS, planning, and civil engineering professionals create models that represent the natural and built environment; evaluate multiple conceptual designs for projects all in one model; and communicate visually rich proposals to stakeholders. AutoCAD Utility Design 2012, a model-based design software for electric utility distribution networks, combines design and documentation with standards-driven workflows and analysis.
Autodesk Inc. – www.autodesk.com

Enhanced 3D visualization
Carlson Software's Carlson Civil 2012 provides enhanced 3D visualization with added support for realistic 3D symbols. It provides support for AutoCAD 2012, comes with IntelliCAD 7.1 built-in, and works on AutoCAD versions 2000 and up. A new linkage of profile edits back to the sewer network model allows for design revisions from profile view. A Pipe Profile button pops up a profile editor superimposed over the plan view, which lets users view and edit any aspect of a pipe and select a pipe section.
Carlson Software – www.carlsonsw.com

Hydraulic analysis app
Appadana's Flo Hydraulic Calculator app for iPhone allows hydraulic analysis of circular pipe, rectangular and trapezoidal channels, gutters, weirs, and orifices. Nationally recognized methods of design are used for all calculations such as the Federal Highway Administration's HEC-22, and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Water Measurement Manual. Features include a custom keyboard number pad, color-coded text fields to show required variables, detailed information pages and Manning's roughness coefficients for all materials.
Appadana – www.appadanadev.com

Enhanced 3D visualization
Xplore Technologies Corp. launched a new family of Xtreme Tablet computers, representing the fifth generation of its iX104 line. The iX104C5 tablet PC is powered by an Intel Core i7 processor and features a tool-less removable dual solid state drive (SSD) module, tool-less access to the SIM and microSD ports, an ingress protection rating of IP-67 for submersion in water, a sunlight-readable display, and high-capacity long-life Li-Ion battery. Auto-sensing dual-mode technology accepts both pen and finger touch inputs.
Xplore Technologies Corp. – www.xploretech.com

Project financial management
Newforma released Newforma Project Analyzer, which provides project financial and resource management by pulling read-only data from Deltek Vision to facilitate what-if scenarios concerning project scope, milestones, budgets, schedules, and staffing. According to the company, the program provides more accurate projections for individual projects and firms; more timely, better-informed decision making a deeper understanding of cost and time ramifications of project team decisions; and greater ability to identify project financial issues in need of correction.
Newforma – www.newforma.com