GSI to host webinar on MSE remediation and monitoring

The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) will sponsor a webinar “MSE Wall Remediation and Monitoring,” on March 6, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. EST. Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) member companies and their employees receive discounted rates on all GSI webinar and short course registrations.

The GSI database of failed MSE walls indicates that 44 out of 171 failures with geosynthetic reinforcement were caused by excessive deformation. Of these 44, 25 were remediated before they collapsed. This webinar presents methods of mechanical strengthening the deformed walls (using ground anchors, rock bolts or soil nailing), and the potential of using dewatering methods (horizontal drains, pumped vertical wells and combined systems).

This webinar then presents details of 10 of the remediated walls. All of them were remediated using mechanical strengthening. Within the group were ground anchors (5), soil nails (4) and rebuilding (1). The cost of the remediations varied from 1.05 times the original cost to 3.50 times. The rebuild case history was 4.66 times the original cost.

Monitoring of the original or remediated walls is suggested in the context of standard surveying, laser/radar/lidar methods, slope inclinometers, piezometers or continuous deformation gauges. Criteria on suggested wall deformation concludes the webinar.

Webinar participants will appreciate that the time between visual observation of a deforming MSE wall and actual collapse is critical insofar as remediation is concerned. A review of ground modification methods will be presented. Ten case histories of wall remediation will be reviewed, all of which were successful except for the high cost. Rebuilding is even more expensive. Since the acceptable amount of wall deformation is subjective, the use of monitoring is recommended. Participants will learn what is available in this regard.

This webinar will be beneficial to owners of MSE walls, berms and slopes in both the public and private sectors; federal, state, and regional geotechnical, transportation and environmental engineers; engineers from municipal districts and townships; private and municipal land developers, architectural and landscape designers; general civil consulting engineers; testing laboratories servicing these organizations; manufacturers of geosynthetic materials; contractors and installers of MSE walls, berms and steep soil slopes; academic and research groups; and others desiring technically related information on this important aspect of our constructed infrastructure.

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, click here.