NAGS/GMA short courses update

By L. David Suits

During the past two years, the North American Geosynthetics Society (NAGS) and the Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) have worked together to sponsor several regional short courses on various areas of geosynthetics in transportation applications.

These courses included one session on Geosynthetics in Walls, Slopes and Embankments held in Valley Forge, Pa., and three on Geosynthetics in Roadways held in Irvine, Calif.; Orlando, Fla.; and the latest in December 2012 in Sioux Falls, S.D., in conjunction with the South Dakota State University Biennial Geotechnical Engineering Seminar. There were 28 attendees at the course in Sioux Falls.

The sessions have been led by two instructors—Dave Suits working with Bob Koerner, Barry Christopher, or Bob Holtz.

Participation in the short courses has been from public sector engineers, private sector consultants, and geosynthetics manufacturers and suppliers. This mix of attendees has resulted in a good interchange of ideas and good questions.

A GMA member has sponsored the program at each short course location. For this industry support, we thank Tensar, TenCate, Propex, and Raven Industries.

If your organization is interested in hosting or sponsoring a short course, please contact Dave Suits by email: nagsdirector05@gmail.com.

Dave Suits is the executive director of the North American Geosynthetics Society.