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The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) will sponsor a webinar, “Ultraviolet (UV) Resistance of Geosynthetics,” on July 8, 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.
Geosynthetics are polymeric products used to solve civil engineering challenges, typically belowground. The umbrella term of geosynthetics covers eight main product categories: geotextiles, geogrids, geonets, geomembranes, geosynthetic clay liners, geofoams, geocells and geocomposites. The polymeric nature of the products makes them suitable for use in the ground where high levels of durability are required. However, when properly formulated, they can also be used in exposed applications protecting the ground surface. It is in this application where UV resistance becomes extremely important.
This webinar is targeted for an international audience of primarily designers, regulators and users of geosynthetics. This technically focused webinar aims to narrow in on how lab-generated UV results can be used to extrapolate field performance. Takeaways from the webinar will include lessons learned from case histories, which will hopefully inform better design practice and innovation going forward.
A frequently asked question when dealing with all types of geosynthetics is “How long will they last?” The answer depends heavily on which environment they are exposed to and the time horizon of exposure. UV radiation, elevated temperature and full oxygen vulnerability are all factors that shorten service lifetimes of geosynthetics. UV weathering devices can be used to simulate accelerated exposure for incubation purposes, helping to answer this question.
This webinar is essentially a review of UV weathering of geosynthetics. Areas that will be covered are:
- Influencing factors affecting the reproducibility of weathering tests
- The influence of a geosynthetic’s color on the UV resistance performance under natural and laboratory testing conditions
- Outdoor exposure testing and accelerated lab testing as they relate to geosynthetics
- Service life prediction of exposed geosynthetics: Field versus laboratory findings
- Durability of high-performance turf reinforcement mats (HPTRM)
- Geotextile tubes
- Exposed geomembrane landfill covers
- Windscreens and fences
This webinar is targeted for an international audience of primarily designers, regulators and users of geosynthetics. This technically focused webinar aims to narrow in on how lab-generated UV results can be used to extrapolate field performance. Takeaways from the webinar will include lessons learned from case histories, which will hopefully inform better design practice and innovation going forward.
About the presenter
Dr. George R. Koerner is the director of the Geosynthetic Institute, a position that he has held since 2014. Koerner’s interest in geosynthetics spans his entire professional life from undergraduate work in the 1980s to the present. He holds his Ph.D. in civil, architectural and environmental engineering from Drexel University in Philadelphia. Koerner’s master thesis was on direct shear testing of geosynthetic interfaces and his doctoral dissertation was on landfill leachate clogging of soil and geosynthetic filters. Both are regularly cited to this day.
Koerner is a professional engineer in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey and is an ASQC quality auditor.
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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.