Geosynthetics July/August 2024 - 36

GEOTECHNICAL FRONTIERS WATCH
A LOOK AT 2025
By Barbara J. Connett
Geotechnical Frontiers short course preview
G
Design and Construction of Energy Geostructures
Sherif Abdelaziz, Ph.D., Virginia Tech and Tony Amis, Endurant Energy
The design and construction of energy geostructures are becoming of high interest worldwide.
Currently, there is a knowledge gap among practicing engineers on how to design
and construct these geostructures. This short course discusses various topics related to best
practices for the design and construction of energy geostructures, with an explicit focus
on energy piles. Focusing on practicing engineers, the course introduces participants to
fundamentals of energy geostructures; in-situ thermal response tests used to determine
the thermal properties of soils surrounding energy foundations; thermo-hydro-mechanical
properties of soils; additional thermal stresses and strains that need to be considered in the
design of energy piles; and best construction practices and quality control and assurance
for in-situ constructions.
Geotechnical Frontiers is the merging
of the bi-annual Geosynthetics
Conference and annual Geo-Congress
and replaces both events for 2025.
This conference occurs every 6 to 8
years and is co-organized by ATA's
Geosynthetic Materials Association
and ASCE's Geo-Institute.
Filter Evaluation for Dams and Levees Using the Risk Management
Center Filter Evaluation (Continuation) Toolbox
Adam Gohs, P.E., and Timothy O'Leary, P.E., U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Filters are critical components of dam and levee embankments. They are designed to
prevent particle movement from intergranular seepage flow where defects are present in
a base soil or seepage water flows through pore spaces of a soil mass in an embankment
or foundation. A properly designed filter has two fundamental functions: the prevention
of soil particle migration (particle retention) and the allowance of sufficient drainage for
internal embankment zones (permeability).
The Risk Management Center (RMC) Filter Evaluation (Continuation) Toolbox provides
a means for assessing the particle retention and permeability criteria for new filter design
and the evaluation of existing filters for dam and levee embankments. This short course
provides background for the basic concepts of filters and hands-on experience with the RMC
Filter Evaluation (Continuation) Toolbox through multiple guided examples. The course
also discusses filter considerations such as breakdown or degradation, segregation, and
washout due to internal instability, and how they are accounted for in the filter evaluation.
Fundamentals of Geosynthetics
Kerry Petrasic, P.E., Gannett Fleming Inc.
Geosynthetics is a relative newcomer in geotechnical engineering. The technology is
developing rapidly and continues to evolve. This course is intended as a primer for those
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Geosynthetics | Summer 2024
eotechnical Frontiers will offer a variety of short courses on Sunday, March 2, 2025.
These in-depth courses feature detailed instruction in a small group setting. All
courses provide four to eight PDH credits and require a separate registration. Don't see
what you are hoping for? Check out the website for any recent additions.

Geosynthetics July/August 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Geosynthetics July/August 2024