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At a Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) Workshop held on 1 April 2010, representatives from about 20 member organizations suggested the need for a program to help reduce the number of mechnically stabilized earth (MSE) wall, berm and slope failures. Our current database in this regard is well over 100 such failures. While inadequate design and construction were the root causes of these failures (both excessive deformation and/or actual collapse), both could have been avoided, or at least mitigated, by proper construction inspection. This two-way orientation by field inspectors (notification of design anomalies and correction of contractors errors) should help stem the failures of these structures going forward.
To this end a one-day course and an examination were developed by GSI and reviewed by a steering committee consisting of the following individuals:
- Kent von Maubeuge – NAUE Group
- Mohammed Karim – Virginia DEQ
- Bob Sabanas – NTH Consultants
- John Conturo and Maria Tanase – AECOM, Inc.
- John Lostumbo – TenCate Geosynthetics
- Mike Yako – GEI Consultants
- Steve Poirier – Geosyntec Consultants
- Willie Liew – Tensar International
- Doug Clark – CEC Consultants
- Dick Stulgis – Geocomp, Inc.
- Frank Adams, Paul Whitty, Rafael Ospina – Golder Associates
- Daniel Alzamora – FHWA
- Sam Allen – TRI Environmental Inc.
- Greg Cekander – Waste Management Inc.
- Greg Fedak – CETCO Contracting Services
Our thanks go to them in this regard.
The requirements for those wishing to be certified are as follows:
1. Candidate must be recommended by a professional engineer who knows, and can attest to, at least six months of acceptable experience performing CQA activities with MSE walls, berms, or slopes using geosynthetic reinforcement.
2. The candidate must submit a completed application and be approved by the Geosynthetic Certification Institute to take the exam.
3. The candidate or his/her firm must pay a one-time fee which covers a five-year period upon completion of the above items. The fee is $500 for five-years of certification.
4. The candidate must successfully pass a written examination (70% of the 100 questions is the passing grade) proctored by GCI or a GCI designated organization and graded by the Geosynthetic Certification Institute to become a certified inspector.
The official launch of the program will be on 1 December 2011 with the initial course given during the day and the examination immediately following. For those persons experienced in MSE inspection it should be mentioned that the course is not mandatory for the taking of the examination. This will be followed by an identical program on 14 March 2012. Courses and examinations will be at GSI located close to the Philadelphia International Airport. See the GSI website at www.geosynthetic-institute.org under “certification” for details and registration.
George R. Koerner, Ph.D., P.E., CQA, is Director Designate and Robert M. Koerner, Ph.D, P.E., NAE, is Director of the Geosynthetic Institute.
