3 March 2010 – The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI), Folsom, Pennsylvania will be holding its next GSI Short Courses on March 22 and 23. A certification exam will also be offered on March 24. The opportunities are:
- Geosynthetics in Waste Containment Liner and Cover Design, March 22
- Quality Control/Quality Assurance of Geosynthetics Installation, March 23
- Examinations for Inspector Certification, March 24
A registration brochure is available here in PDF:
https://www.geosynthetica.com/Uploads/GSI_ShortCourses_March2010.pdf
ABOUT THE COURSES & EXAM
“Geosynthetics in Waste Containment Liner and Cover Design"
This one-day course is focused on the proper design, analysis, and testing of geosynthetics used in liner and cover systems for landfills, surface impoundments and waste piles and heap leach pads. Included are the following geosynthetics: geomembranes, geotextiles, geonets, geogrids, geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs), geocomposites, and geopipe.
Course Benefits: The course provides the latest information on design, analysis, and testing of geosynthetics in solid waste containment. Included are considerations regarding both hazardous and nonhazardous materials. The thrust is design-by-function that leads to the determination of a factor of safety. Numerous examples are utilized to illustrate different design procedures. Thus, a quantitative approach toward proper design of geosynthetics in this important environmental area is presented. Course notes are provided.
Targeted Audiences: Federal, regional and state EPA regulatory agencies, Department of Defense and Dept. of Energy personnel with abandoned (and new) sites involving solid waste disposal problems; private and municipal landfill owner/operators; consulting engineers and testing laboratories servicing these organizations; academic and research groups; manufacturers and representatives of geosynthetic materials; contractors and installers of geosynthetic materials; citizens groups and others desiring technically related information on liners and covers for landfills, surface impoundments, waste piles and heap leach mining.
Instructors: Bob and George Koerner
"Quality Control/Quality Assurance of Geosynthetics Installation"
This one-day course is focused on the quality control and quality assurance of geosynthetics as placed in permanent and/or critical applications. Specifications and testing are emphasized. 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 walls, slopes, dams, canals, mining, etc., will also be discussed. Included are the following geosynthetics: geomembranes, geosynthetic clay liners, geosynthetic drainage systems (geotextiles and geocomposites), vertical cutoff walls, ancillary materials & appurtenances.
Course Benefits: The course provides the latest information on manufacturing and installation of all types of geosynthetics. It follows closely the 2nd Edition of U.S. EPA Technical Guidance Document(EPA/600R-93/18) of the same title as this course. The guidance document has been updated in 2007 by the course presenters. The updated information is included. Included are manufacturing QC and QA, as well as construction QC and QA. The course is very descriptive with numerous example situations and case histories. It is illustrated by current test methods and procedures. Course notes are provided.
Targeted Audiences: Manufacturers and representatives of geosynthetic materials; as well as installers and contractors; manufacturing and construction quality assurance organizations; owners of facilities; engineering consultants; federal, state and regional agency personnel (both environmental and transportation); and private developers.
Instructors: Bob and George Koerner
"Examinations for Inspector Certification"
The Geosynthetic Institute is delighted to announce the availability of an Inspector Certification Program for Waste Containment Systems, i.e., landfills, surface impoundments, closures, and related facilities. It is available for geosynthetic materials and/or compacted clay liners. There are presently over 300 certified inspectors. The process calls for a specific application procedure consisting of a recommendation letter and work resume. At least 6-months CQA experience is necessary to be admitted to the program. A multiple choice test follows the application after it is reviewed and accepted. For the geosynthetic materials certification program, questions are given in seven categories (total of 140 questions). The categories are as follows: Overview of CQA (20), Geotextiles (20), Geonet/Geocomposites (20), Geogrids (10), Geomembranes (35), Geosynthetic Clay Liners (20), and Geopipe (15).
For the compacted clay liners program, the test consists of 50 questions. Upon correctly answering 70% of the questions in either program, the candidate is considered to be certified under the following designation:
"Geosynthetic Certification Institute’s Inspectors Certification Program (or GCI-ICP)"
The cost involved for five-years of certification is $400 for either the geosynthetic materials or compacted clay liners program, or $50 0 for five-years for both programs. Note that this program is separate from the coursework described. For additional information see GSI’s website at www.geosynthetic-institute.org under the heading of "Inspector Certification Examinations." Or: contact Ms. Jamie Koerner, Geosynthetic Institute, +1 610 522 8440, fax +1 610 522 8441, e-mail jrkoerner@verizon.net.
ABOUT GSI
The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) is a consortium of organizations interested in, and involved with, geosynthetics. All types of geosynthetic materials are involved: geotextiles, geomembranes, geogrids, geonets, geocomposites, geosynthetic clay liners, geopipe, and geofoam. The member organizations include federal and state governmental agencies, facility owners, designers, consultants, QA organizations, testing laboratories, resin and additive suppliers, manufacturers, manufacturers representatives, and installation contractors. It currently consists of 70 organizations. GSI functions under the general oversight of an elected board of directors and the regular interaction with its members. The entire membership meets each year and suggests topics and directions. Member organizations share these results as well as a number of subsidiary benefits. These benefits include enrollment in professional courses and seminars at nominal cost, free laboratory training for employees, direct interaction with GSI staff and students, and access to product information services, specifications and test methods. Also available is a controlled access section of our home page.
The five subsidiary institutes within GSI are focused on research, information, education, accreditation, and certification. See our Newsletter/Report at www.geosynthetic-institute.org for our current activities.
CONTACT
Ms. Jamie Koerner
Geosynthetic Institute
+1 610 522 8440
Fax +1 610 522 8441
E-mail jrkoerner@verizon.net.
