The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) will sponsor a webinar, “A Brief Overview of Geosynthetics and Their Major Applications,” on Sept. 11, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT. Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) member companies and their employees receive discounted rates on all GSI webinar and short course registrations.
Geosynthetic materials presently represent an $8 billion worldwide industry. They are made from various polymers which begin as natural gas or oil which is fractionated into specific gases, in turn polymerized into the resins used to make geosynthetics. Each of the various types of geosynthetics are described and illustrated.
Transportation and geotechnical applications are first presented wherein filters, wall/slope reinforcement, wick drains and erosion control are described. Geoenvironmental applications including landfill liner/cover systems, vertical barriers, surface impoundment liners and heap leach liners are next. This is followed by hydraulic engineering applications including waterproofing of dams and canals, reservoirs liners and floating covers, tunnel waterproofing and pipe remediation. Finally, private development applications are described. This includes building foundations, recreational facilities, agriculture, aquaculture, shale gas operations and disposal of coal combustion residuals.
Participants will gain insight as to how polymers and geosynthetic resins are made. This leads to the individual types of geosynthetics currently in use. Having the materials, the plethora of applications follow. They are grouped into four categories: transportation/geotechnical, geoenvironmental, hydraulic engineering and private development. Concluding comments will then assess the entire status of these exciting new materials.
New employees (and those interested) in geosynthetic materials, those involved and interested in infrastructure applications, those involved and interested in geoenvironmental applications, those involved and interested in hydraulic engineering applications, those involved and interested in private development applications.
The webinar’s instructor, Dr. Robert M. Koerner, is professor emeritus of civil engineering at Drexel University, and founder and director emeritus of the Geosynthetic Institute.
Webinars cost $200.00 for GSI and GMA members, and $250.00 for nonmembers. Successful completion of a multiple-choice test after the webinar carries 1.5 professional development hours (PDH).
For more information or to register, visit http://www.geosynthetic-institute.org/webinar.htm.