Sponsored by ASCE Continuing Education and ASCE’S Geo-Institute (GI)  

Purpose and Background

This webinar presents an overview of the $3 billion worldwide industry known as “Geosynthetics”. Made from polymeric materials into fibers, filaments, yarns, ribs, grids, nets or sheets, they fall into the following categories (“geo” since they are usually covered with soil or another geosynthetic): geotextiles; geogrids; geonets; geomembranes; geosynthetic clay liners; geopipes; geofoam and geocomposites. Each will be described and elements of their primary design function will also be explained.

Applications will then be addressed in the four major thrust areas that geosynthetics have focused upon. They are: transportation and geotechnical (paved and unpaved roads, walls, slopes); geoenvironmental (landfills, surface impoundments); hydraulic engineering (dams, tunnels, canals); and private development (parks, sport fields, aquaculture, agriculture). Concluding remarks will present sources of geosynthetics information, the authors perspective on the current status of geosynthetics, and a summary. 

Learning Outcomes

You will gain accurate insight into the breadth of available geosynthetics counterpointed to the myriad applications that are currently being undertaken. The rapid growth of geosynthetics since their inception 30 years ago is awesome and there is no limit in sight. This webinar will properly prepare you to further explore and learn about the proper use of geosynthetics and opportunities within this area.

Webinar Benefits

• Learn about the proper categories and types of geosynthetics
• Understand that each geosynthetic material can serve one or more primary functions
• Understand that geosynthetics are engineering materials and they can be addressed using a traditional factor-of-safety approach
• Gain perspective of the range of geosynthetic applications which touch on every segment of the “geo-world”
• Understand that the scope of applications ranges from small to enormous
• Appreciate the current status of geosynthetics in the application areas that are addressed
• Facilitate the retrieval of further generic information on geosynthetics

Intended Audience

Design engineers testing laboratories, manufacturers, regulators and installation contractors will benefit from this program. Since geosynthetics can be considered as relatively recent in the context of traditional civil engineering materials, there are indeed research and development opportunities. Thus, academics and researchers will also find the information to be of value.

Webinar Outline

• Geosynthetic materials
• Transportation and geotechnical applications
• Geoenvironmental applications
• Hydraulic engineering applications
• Private development applications
• Concluding comments