TEXTILES.ORG
Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016
Charlotte Convention Center, Charlotte N.C.
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8 a.m.–12 p.m.: 3 Parallel Short Courses
Business and Ethics Insights for Engineers
This four-hour session includes three presentations focused on the business and ethical aspects of being an engineer.
- Professional Ethics in a Low Bid Environment
Presented by Vic Donald, Geoprofessional Business Association
Professional engineers have an ethical responsibility to be dedicated to the public health, safety, and welfare of our clients. More and more we find that our services have been procured from a process to retain the engineer that offers a service for the lowest fees.
Do these two ideas co-exist in harmony?
This presentation will consider the problems of providing professional engineering service in a low bid environment. We will explore ways to convey the message to the potential client that it is in their best interest to hire their geoprofessional consultant based upon their qualifications and capabilities to serve their needs.
Using the results of a compelling survey of foundation contractors, the presenter will convey their perception of the need for more complete site characterization and critical thinking, something that can’t be easily accomplished in a commoditized selection environment.
- Safety for Engineers
Presented by the Geoprofessional Business Association
- D.GE Certification. What is it? Why is it important?
Presented by Ray E. Martin, Ph.D., P.E. D.GE, F.ASCE, Academy of Geo-Professionals
- Think like an entrepreneur: How to effectively manage your career or company to maximize success
Presented by Rick De La Guardia, DLG Engineering
Rick De La Guardia, president and founder of Miami-based DLG Engineering Inc., and author of “Engineer to Entrepreneur: Success Strategies to Manage Your Career and Start your own Firm,” will discuss how thinking like an entrepreneur can help you achieve success in your career and increase your marketability at your current firm. He will cover topics such as investing, networking, marketing yourself, creating credentials, and the entrepreneurial state of mind needed to achieve maximum success in your career or for your company.
Geosynthetics in Drainage and Filtration Applications:
Design Principals and Practices
Instructor, Barry R. Christopher, Ph.D., P.E.
Geosynthetics have been traditionally used as drains and filters for decades (e.g., in trench drains, cutoff drains, retaining wall toe drains, base drains and chimney drains, building wall drains, roadway underdrains and edge drains, and hard armor erosion control systems). As any construction material, they must be properly specified based on sound design procedures to provide effective solutions in civil engineering projects. Geosynthetics can be easily and quickly installed and can avoid or minimize the utilization of natural drainage materials. This short course will present the typical geosynthetic products that can be used as filters and drains, the basis for design and specification, as well as the description of case histories. Design methods are reviewed for both geosynthetics and conventional drains and these systems are compared on the basis of performance, cost benefit, and sustainability.
Knowledge for Better Design of Geosynthetic Reinforced MSE Structures
Instructor, Michael Simac, Earth Improvement Technologies
This course is intended for geotechnical, civil, and structural engineers who want to expand their abilities to plan, analyze, design, and investigate geosynthetic reinforced mechanically‐stabilized earth (MSE) structures. Previous MSE design experience is helpful but not required. After a brief introduction of MSE design guidelines and procedures, this session will focus on the most common problems associated with poor MSE structure performance, and how to address those issues from an engineering design perspective. This knowledge of past experiences will allow designers to focus their analytical, investigative, observational, and geotechnical data interpretation techniques to improve performance on future MSE designs, through more focused design procedures, better construction drawings and details, specifications, internal drainage design, and quality assurance testing for special inspection requirements. The MSE designer’s interaction with the project team—owner, contractor, architect, site/civil and geotechnical engineers—will be discussed as to its effects on site planning, utility location and performance, and overlapping design / professional responsibilities.
12–1 p.m.: Exhibits Open / Lunch
1–4 p.m.: Training Lectures
1–1:40
• Geotextile Encased Columns:
A Foundation System for Embankments on Very Soft Soil
Lilma Schimmel, MSCE, P.E., Engineering Department Head, HUESKER
Geotextile-encased columns (GECs) are part of a deep foundation system where the key element is a high-strength seamless geotextile encasement. The system was developed for embankment construction on very soft soils and is widely used in many countries. GECs mitigate settlement and work on such a way to accelerate consolidation time while providing support to large vertical loads.
1:40–2:20
• Anchor Reinforced Vegetation Systems (ARVS)
for Shallow Plane Slope Stabilization
Drew Loizeaux, Engineering Specialist, Propex Operating Co. LLC
The Anchor Reinforced Vegetation System (ARVS) has become a proven technology for armoring channels, ponds, stream banks, levees, and other critical infrastructures against erosive forces and shallow plane slope instability. As an innovative solution, the ARVS utilizes a High Performance Turf Reinforcement Mat (HPTRM) to reduce erosion and Percussion Driven Earth Anchors (PDEAs) to permanently secure the HPTRM and mechanically resist shallow soil mass movement. In order to provide a proven, yet economical solution to shallow plane slope instability, it is critical for an ARVS to be truly engineered, have a proven history, and possess the required attributes.
2:20–3
• Proven Geosynthetic Closure Solutions for CCR, MSW,
Mining, and Hazardous Waste Impoundments / Landfills
Chris Eichelberger, VP Technical Marketing, Agru America
This discussion will address the evolving geosynthetics market by introducing and explaining three proven closure solutions utilized within the CCR, MSW, mining, and hazardous waste industries. An overview of the solutions, associated technical background, and relevant case histories will be presented.
3–4
• Panel Discussion
Pavement Interlayers—Benefits and Best Practices
Pavement interlayers are increasingly being used as a means to extend the life of existing or new road surfaces across the United States. The interlayer system can be used in conjunction with an overlay or chip seal surface treatments for medium to long term benefits, in the construction, rehabilitation or maintenance of pavements. The GMA-sponsored interlayers panel discussion at GeoCharlotte will cover: the advantages of using interlayers; when to use interlayers; the cost-effectiveness of interlayers, and installation considerations.
Panelists:
• Jeff Rasche, TenCate
• Nicholas Reck, Tensar
• Nilesh Surti, NCDOT
• Tripp Bishop, American Paving Fabrics
• Bill Leahy, National Highway Maintenance Systems
Panel Advisors:
• Mike Samuleoff, HUESKER
• Mark Marienfeld, Propex
4–5:30 p.m.: Exhibits Open / Reception
4:30–5:30 p.m.: Bonus—Expo Show Floor Tour
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