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Instructor: George R. Koerner, Ph.D., P.E. & CQA
Course Length: 90 minutes
Purpose and Background
This webinar sheds light on the large number (400 to date) of excessive deformation and/or actual collapses of MSE walls with geotextile or geogrid reinforcement. It examines failure causes and their commonality components (63% are water related). It provides an in-depth exploration of Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) walls reinforced with geosynthetics. Participants will gain insight into the design, construction, and performance challenges of these structures, with a focus on real-world case studies and failure analysis. The session covers critical topics such as project management, construction materials, site-specific design considerations, drainage control, and long-term performance monitoring. Emphasis is placed on the role of geosynthetics in reinforcement, soil stabilization, and preventing structural failures. Attendees will also learn about the best practices for mitigating issues related to soil compaction, drainage, and load-bearing capacity. By the end of the webinar, participants will have a strong understanding of the key factors influencing MSE wall durability and performance in both public and private sector applications.
Primary Discussion Topics
- Data on 400 quite similar failures (estimated to be about 8% of the total worldwide failures)
- Bring attention to this serious situation with respect to geotechnical and geosynthetic engineering communities
- Four main design and construction issues which are felt to be greatly contributing to the failures
- Use of fine-grained silts and/or clay backfill soils
- Poor compaction of these fine-grained soils
- Need for removal of internal drainage and piping systems
- Need for proper surface and adjacent water control
Benefits and Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Explain the fundamental principles of geosynthetic-reinforced Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) walls and their advantages over traditional retaining wall systems.
- Identify common causes of MSE wall failures, including issues related to drainage, soil compaction, and material selection.
- Describe the design considerations for MSE walls, including reinforcement selection, load calculations, and drainage systems.
- List the different types of geosynthetic materials used in MSE walls and their specific functions in reinforcement and stabilization.
- Discuss best practices for construction, inspection, and long-term monitoring to ensure MSE wall performance and durability.
Assessment of Learning Outcomes
Students' achievement of the learning outcomes will be assessed via a short post-test assessment (true-false, multiple choice, and/or fill in the blank questions).
Who Should Attend?
- Reinforced MSE wall and slope design engineers
- General civil, geotechnical and geosynthetic consulting engineers
- Geotextile and geogrid manufacturers and distributors
- Private property developers and architects
- Permitting engineers from municipal districts and townships
- Contractors and installers of these systems
- Academic and research groups
- Insurance companies and attorneys
How to Earn your CEUs/PDHs and Receive Your Certificate of Completion
This course is worth .2 CEUs/2 PDHs. To receive your certificate of completion, you will need to complete a short on-line post-test and receive a passing score of 70% or higher within 365 days of the course purchase.
How do I convert CEUs to PDHs?
1.0 CEU = 10 PDHs [Example: 0.1 CEU = 1 PDH]