The Folsom, Pennsylvania-based Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) has announced two June short courses, each of which will offer eight (8) professional development hours (PDHs) as certified by the Geosynthetic Certification Institute (GCI) and an exam that leads to Certified Inspector status.
For those wishing to sit for either certification exam (which will be offered immediately after each short course), please know that there is a separate registration required for the exam.
Both courses will be held at GSI. The general course information is as follows:
Geosynthetic Reinforced MSE Walls, Berms and Slopes – Inspectors Course
On 6 June 2012, instructors George Koerner and Bob Koerner of GSI will lead this one-day course. The content is focused on the inspection, monitoring and maintenance of MSE walls, berms and slopes reinforced with geogrids and geotextiles. Numerous failures (deformation and collapse) have been documented, and this MSE training and certification course is aimed at correcting the misunderstandings or lack of training in the field that have led to these failures. Key topics include:
- Introduction and overview
- Responsibilities before construction
- Responsibilities during construction
- Responsibilities after construction
- Long-term monitoring
- Remediation of MSE structures
This is the newest of GSI’s long-running series of professional development short courses and provides detailed construction aspects of MSE walls, berms and slopes with an 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 as well as long-term maintenance procedures will be addressed as well. Laboratory demonstrations of geosynthetic and soil test procedures will be interspersed during the day long course. Course notes as well as lunch and breaks are also provided.
Construction QA/QC of Geosynthetics in Waste Containment – Inspectors Course
On 7 June 2012, George Koerner and Bob Koerner will conduct this very well subscribed one-day course focused on the quality assurance and quality control of geosynthetics as placed in permanent and/or critical applications. Specifications and testing are emphasized and demonstrated accordingly. It focuses on both the manufactured geosynthetics and on the installation processes. Applications are mainly in the waste containment area (i.e., landfills and surface impoundments) but applicability to surface impoundments, shale gas plays, coal combustion residuals, heap leach pads, and other applications are also addressed. Included are the following geosynthetics:
- Geomembranes
- Geosynthetic clay liners
- Geosynthetic drainage systems (geotextiles and geocomposites)
- Vertical cutoff walls
- Ancillary materials and appurtenances
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 and QC, as well as construction QA and QC. The course is very descriptive with numerous example situations, case histories and test methods/procedures. Course notes as well as lunch and breaks are provided.
Learn more about these opportunities at http://www.geosynthetic-institute.org/courses.htm
