TEXTILES.ORG
By Timothy D. Stark and Jennifer Miller
The Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI) presented a short course in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Nov. 6, 2019, at the Center City Building to a sold-out crowd. The short course was organized by the FGI and was offered in collaboration with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC).
The presentations focused on the regulations, placement and management of coal combustion residuals (CCRs), with an emphasis on using geosynthetics. The morning portion of the short course focused on regulatory issues, containment applications, CCR static properties and seismic behavior of CCRs. For example, a presentation by J. R. Register of Consumers Energy, focused on the current and emerging CCR regulatory issues, while Evan Andrews of Duke Energy provided insight into using geosynthetics to manage, cover and contain CCRs. Gary Zych of American Electric Power (AEP) reviewed containment applications for CCRs for AEP facilities. Vincent Ogunro of UNCC followed with an informative presentation on the static material properties and treatment of CCRs. Lastly, Professor Bill Wolfe of The Ohio State University described the seismic behaviors of CCRs and conducting liquefaction analyses for CCRs to wrap up the morning portion.
The afternoon presentations focused on the practical applications of geosynthetics for CCR management, closure and containment. For example, Allen Bullock of Leister and Matthew Roy of DemTech provided a demonstration of geomembrane seaming, patching and testing. Timothy D. Stark of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign reviewed the importance of geomembrane wrinkles in leakage rates and leak location surveys. Ken Daly of Wood PLC gave an informative presentation on local practices for managing CCRs. Sam Allen of TRI/Environmental provided insight on leak location surveys. Finally, Joe Troxell of S&ME described the largest fabricated geomembrane project in the world (i.e., Columbus, Ohio Upground Water Reservoir).
Many attendee questions, comments and experiences made the course a great success. The topics and speakers from the successful short course are shown below:
Current & Emerging CCR Regulatory Issues: J. R. Register (Consumers Energy)
Geosynthetics in Challenging Regulatory Environments: E. Andrews (Duke Energy)
Containment for CCRs: G. Zych (American Electric Power)
Static Properties and Innovations in CCR: V. Ogunro (UNCC)
Dynamic Behavior of CCRs: B. Wolfe (OSU)
Importance of Geomembrane Wrinkles: T. Stark (U of Illinois)
Local Practice Managing CCRs: K. Daly (Wood)
Leak Location Surveys: S. Allen (TRI)
Case Study: Largest Fabricated Geomembrane Project: J. Troxell (S&ME)