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GSI offers geosynthetics short courses online

Events, News | August 19, 2021 | By:

MSE wall in Franklin, Tenn. Photograph courtesy of Pinnacle Design/Build Group Inc.

The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) is hosting three short courses on-demand online. GSI and Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) member companies and their employees receive discounted rates on all GSI short course registrations.

Course 1: Quality Assurance/Quality Control of Geosynthetics in Waste Containment Facilities

Recording Available

Instructors: Bob Koerner and George Koerner

This online course is focused on the quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) of geosynthetics as placed in permanent or critical applications. Specifications and testing are emphasized and demonstrated accordingly. It focuses on both the manufacturing of geosynthetics and on the installation processes. Applications are mainly in the waste containment area, i.e., landfills and surface impoundments, but applicability to ponds/reservoirs, canals, shale gas plays, coal combustion residuals, heap leach pads, etc., are also addressed. Included are the following presentations:

  • Waste issues, regulations and geosynthetics
  • Geomembrane manufacturing, specifications and testing
  • Geomembrane placement and field testing
  • Geosynthetic clay liners
  • Geosynthetic drainage systems
  • Ancillary geosynthetics, clay liners and documentation

The course provides the latest information on manufacturing and installation of all types of geosynthetics. It follows closely the U.S. EPA Technical Guidance Document (EPA/600R-93/18) of the same title as this course. Included are manufacturing QA/QC, as well as construction QA/QC. The course is very descriptive with numerous example situations, case histories and test methods/procedures. PowerPoint slides of the entire course are provided.

This online course automatically warrants 8 PDHs.

This course will be most beneficial for quality control and quality assurance organizations; design and specification engineering firms; manufacturers of geosynthetic materials; installation contractors; owners of facilities; engineering consultants; federal, state and regional agency personnel (both environmental and transportation); and private developers.

Course registration fees

GSI and GMA members: $750.00

Nonmembers: $1,000.00

Course 2: Construction Inspection of Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) Walls, Berms and Slopes

Recording Available

Instructors: Bob Koerner and George Koerner

This online course is focused on the inspection, monitoring and maintenance of mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls, berms and slopes reinforced with geogrids and geotextiles. It is felt to be necessary due to the number of failures (excessive deformation and collapse) that have occurred. It focuses on all aspects of such situations. Included are the following presentations:

  • Database of 236 failed MSE walls
  • Introduction and overview of wall inspection
  • Responsibility before construction
  • Responsibility during construction
  • Responsibility after construction
  • Monitoring and remediation

This online course provides detailed construction aspects of MSE walls, berms and slopes with emphasis on inspection of all phases of the operation. Step-by-step construction aspects will be presented along with idiosyncrasies of the various geosynthetics and soil types used in the construction process. Monitoring during and after construction and long-term maintenance procedures will be addressed. Laboratory testing of geosynthetic and soil test procedures will be described accordingly. PowerPoint slides of the entire course are also provided.

This online course automatically warrants 8 PDHs.

This course will be most beneficial for federal, state and regional transportation engineers and related personnel; engineers from municipal districts and townships; private and municipal land developers, consulting engineers and testing laboratories servicing these organizations and providing forensic services; manufacturers of geosynthetic materials; contractors and installers of geosynthetic materials; academic and research groups; and others desiring technically related information on this important aspect of transportation, geotechnical and geosynthetic engineering systems.

Course registration fees

GSI and GMA members: $750.00

Nonmembers: $1,000.00

Course 3: Designing with Geosynthetics

Available on-demand

Paid participants have access for six months

Instructor: Bob Koerner

This online course is focused on the entirety of geosynthetic materials and their myriad applications. It precisely follows the 914-page, 6th ed., textbook, Designing with Geosynthetics, written by the instructor. Every figure, graph, table, example and more are reproduced but now with a voice-over so as to further emphasize the points raised in the book. Included are 1,540 slides with approximately 18 hours of total voice-over. The contents are best appreciated when synchronized with a two-volume copy of the book (e-books $5.98, softbacks $48 and hardbacks $70, plus shipping and handling), to follow along with the PowerPoint slides and voice-overs. All three formats are available through Xlibris (the publisher), Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and GSI (physical books only). Visit https://geosynthetic-institute.org/publications.htm to buy from GSI.

The online package consists of the following:

Designing with Geosynthetics (DwG) by Robert M. Koerner

This online, on-demand course represents the equivalent of a full academic year of teaching geosynthetics, which the instructor had presented at Drexel University since the 1st edition of the book was released in 1984. Access to the course is for six months after payment of the fee, and the contents can be shared with coworkers or others within an organization/company. The course is particularly beneficial to graduating students entering geosynthetics and all new employees of geosynthetic-related organizations/companies. It also acts as a primer for those interested in becoming certified as a geosynthetics designer.

This online course automatically warrants 18 PDHs.

This online course will be most beneficial for persons employed in the geosynthetics area from all perspectives; facility owners; federal, state and regional transportation engineers and related personnel; engineers from municipal districts and townships; private and municipal land developers; consulting engineers and testing laboratories servicing these organizations and providing forensic services; manufacturers of geosynthetic materials; contractors and installers of geosynthetic materials; academic and research groups; and others desiring a holistic view of geosynthetics information on the critical aspects of transportation, geotechnical, mining and geosynthetic engineering systems.

Course registration fees

GSI and GMA members: $1,000.00 for six months access

Nonmembers: $3,000.00 for six months access

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If certification under the Geosynthetic Certification Institute-Designers Certification Program (GCI-DCP) is desired for any of these courses, a separate registration and examination is required. Visit www.geosynthetic-institute.org/gdcpappl.htm or contact Jamie Koerner at jamie@geosynthetic-institute.org for details.

For more information on any of the courses, contact Jamie Koerner at jamie@geosynthetic-institute.org.

To register for courses, visit https://geosynthetic-institute.org/courses.htm.

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