Geosynthetics 2017, the First International Conference on Technology and Application of Geosynthetics, took place in Santiago, Chile 18 – 20 October 2017. The event met all of its inaugural expectations, enjoyed strong industry support, and featured a wide-range of topics and international representation in the short courses and technical programs.

Geosynthetics 2017
The opening session, like the technical sessions, was well attended. Photo by Andre Lacerda (Geosynthetica).

Roughly 50 papers (English and Spanish language) were presented, with presenters and panel discussion participants coming from 20 countries.  Key topics included geosynthetic properties and testing protocols, design and modeling of geosynthetics, innovation and new developments, construction with piles, mine tailings, reservoirs and canals, civil and hydraulic/maritime work, and much more.
The organizing body, Gecamin, noted on Twitter that the success of the conference has set in motion plans for Geosynthetics 2018 in Chile.

GEOSYNTHETICS 2017 HIGHLIGHTS

The presentation sessions included a mix of mining company engineers, contractors, private engineering firms, government agency representatives, and geosynthetics industry professionals. Some of the papers of note include:

  • Use of geosynthetics in mining operations: environmental benefits and lessons learned – Martín Colil, Sustainability and External Affairs Director, Codelco (Chile)
  •  Use of geosynthetics in landfills and normative aspects to be improved – Arturo Arias, Engineering and Environmental Deputy Manager, KDM (Chile)
  • Nonwovens CPF liners provide for durable concrete structures – Mikael Moeller, Fibertex Nonwovens (Denmark)
  • A bituminous geomembrane for leach pad construction – Emilio Escobar and Joan Lazaro, Axter (Spain), Bernard Breul, Axter (France)
  • Statement on the long-term flow rate of tubular drainage geocomposites to landfill leachate – Pascal Saunier and Stephan Fourmont, Afitex-Texel (Canada); Eric Steinhauser, Sanborn, Head & Associates (USA)
  • Innovative leak location technologies for large and complex tailing dams – Silverio Prota, Anddes (Argentina); Chris Baldyga, HGI Hydrogeophysics (USA); Johann Meléndez, Anddes (Peru)
  • Stability analysis of a gold tailings dam lined with HDPE geomembrane – Ana Halabi, Karla Pimentel and Maria Gardoni, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (Brazil); Soraya Sampaio, Dam Projetos de Engenharia (Brazil)
  • Use of geosynthetics in capping systems of landfills and contaminated sites – Daniele Cazzuffi, Stefano Filippini and Riccardo Mozzi, CESI (Italy); Domenico Gioffré, Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria (Italy)
  • Geonets and geogrids for tailings storage facilities – Aigen Zhao, AGZ International (USA); Angel Conde, Tensar International (USA); Giselle Vega, GSE Environmental (USA)
  • Railroad subgrade stabilization using biaxial geogrid-geotextile composite: a case study – Sam Bhat and Jimmy Thomas, Titan Environmental Containment (Canada)

GEOSYNTHETICS 2017 EXHIBITION

Major sponsorship (Platinum Level) for Geosynthetics 2017 was provided by Emaresa, Cipatex, TenCate Geosynthetics, and Thrace Group. An additional 24 other companies provided various levels of sponsorship for the event, networking breaks, and more. Geosynthetica, through its Spanish-language website dedicated to the Spanish-speaking Americas, was the official media partner for the event. Four other publications provided additional media support. Geosynthetica’s Andre Lacerda attended and ran a booth in the exhibit hall.

PHOTOS FROM GEOSYNTHETICS 2017

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To learn more about opportunities with Geosynthetics 2018, visit https://gecamin.com/geosynthetics.

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