The 2nd international Geosynthetics in Road Construction conference was held May 19 in Moscow. Key sponsors for the event included Maccaferri, NAUE, Thrace Group, Bohnenkamp AG, and New Ground. Machina-TST sponsored a special session on “Evaluation of Geosynthetic Quality in Road Construction.”
MAXConference, the organizer, reports that the event participants included companies focused on design, construction, repair and maintenance of roadways, as well as geosynthetics manufacturers from Belarus, Russia, Greece, Italy, and Germany.
Government agency participation was strong too, highlighted by the participation of Rosavtodor (Russian Roads Agency). Vasiliy Kurguzov, deputy head of Rosavtodor’s engineering and highway operations research and development, presented on the continuous development of the legal framework for the use of geosynthetics in road construction.
The state-owned infrastructure project management company Avtodor also participated, with Sergey Iliyn, Deputy Head of Avtodor’s Engineering Department, speaking on the technical policy of using geosynthetic materials in Russian road construction. He highlighted the development of a draft GOST standard for geosynthetics in the design and engineering of pavement systems. The target date for the standard is 2018 – 2019.
ROAD CONSTRUCTION PRESENTATION HIGHLIGHTS
International Geosynthetics Society member Francesco Fontana delivered a well-received address on European practice with geosynthetics in road construction. The availability of standards in Europe for these engineering works was emphasized towards achieving success. His presentation provoked lively discussion, the organizers report.
NAUE’s Kent von Maubeuge, representing standards bodies such as ASTM and ISO, followed up on the international experience of geosynthetics use. He focussed on research into geosynthetics durability when exposed to chemical and biological agents.
Yuri Schlee, NAUE’s Export Director for the CIS countries, presented on how to measure and test for roadway construction loading and working capacity.
Panos Mokos, regional export manager for Eastern Europe & CIS, of Thrace Group, made a presentation about the European practice of using biaxial extruded geogrid composites to reduce the cost of road construction. He underscored how these geosynthetic materials allow for longer periods between repairs and enhance the service life and performance of roads overall.
Dmitriy Moskalenko, Yugan Marketing’s Commercial Director, address the lack of conformity with international standards for geosynthetics in Russian infrastructure. This presented a challenge for replicating the successes found with geosynthetics in other world regions. Moskalenko also discussed the monitoring of geogrids in road works and deformation and apertures of materials.
Finally, Alexey Volodikov, a thermoplastic elastomers and geosynthetics expert from SIBUR, talked about quality control with geosynthetics.
MAXConference notes that a concluding resolution from the event, one which will outline industry concerns, is being drafted and will be submitted to the federal roads agency.
A THANK YOU FROM THE ORGANIZERS
MAXConference writes that it would like to thank “our speakers, moderators and information partners from: the Federal Road Agency, Avtodor, SIBADI research centre, OPYTNOYE regional certification centre, Transmost plc, Maccaferri, Giprostroymost institute, THRACE GROUP, Geoizol Group, Yugan Marketing, BELDORNII research institute, VNIIGS testing centre, ASTM International, SIBUR, Textile and Light Industries Engineering Centre, Machina-TST, New Ground, ROSDORNII research institute, DuPont, NAUE, “Avtomobilnye Dorogi” [Highlways] magazine, “Dorozhnaya Derzhava” [Road State] magazine, “Roads. Construction Innovations” magazine, “Mir Dorog” [World of Roads] magazine, Rupec information analysis centre, “Plastics” magazine, “Dormost” magazine, “Roads of Eurasia” magazine, “Dorozhniki” [Road Builders] magazine, “Polymeric Materials” magazine, Chemonline portal, “PlastINFO” portal, and Geosynthetica.”
The conference invites ideas and suggestions for the next Geosynthetics in Road Construction conference. Contact +7.495.745.07.40 or email info@maxconf.ru.
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