Geosynthetics June/July 2021 - 9

for new designs and applications. The
latter work led him to interact with
outstanding geosynthetics researchers
such as Jean-Pierre Giroud, Ph.D.; Dov
Leshchinsky, Ph.D.; Mo Gabr, Ph.D.; and
James Collin, Ph.D.
" [These experiences and relationships]
really helped me get into the
research of geosynthetics, " Han said.
" Since I started to work at a university,
I've been conducting research for different
manufacturers. These include Tensar
International, TenCate Geosynthetics
North America, Presto GeoSystems,
PRS Geo-Technologies and Maccaferri.
My research ties in very closely with the
industry's needs. I also work with students
to develop design methods for different
applications for the geosynthetics
industry. I feel fortunate to work with
so many outstanding researchers and
students to develop methods benefiting
the industry. I also feel very proud that
I've graduated 20 Ph.D. students and
20 master's students. Most of them have
worked on geosynthetics. "
Han started as a student member
of the North American Geosynthetics
Society (now IGS North America), for
the Student Competition at the 1997
Geosynthetics Conference in Long
Beach, Calif., put on by the Industrial
Fabrics Association International. He
served on the Transportation Research
Board (TRB) Standing Committee on
Geosynthetics. Han currently serves on
the American Society of Civil Engineers
(ASCE) Geosynthetics Committee and
is chair of the TRB Standing Committee
on Transportation Earthworks. Han
has been an IGS Council member since
2018 and served as liaison for IGS North
America to the IGS Council (2019-20).
Han's Koerner Lecture covers the
topic of " Geosynthetic-Reinforced
Column-Supported Embankments:
Bridging Theory and Practice. " This
lecture explains why so many different
soil-arching models and design methods
were developed by different researchers in
the past but produce different results. The
objective of this lecture is to tie these theories
together by proposing a simplified
and unified design procedure for geosynthetic-reinforced
column-supported
embankments to be used in practice.
Even though Han did not work
directly with Robert M. Koerner, he
received a lot of encouragement from
Koerner throughout the years. Nine of
Han's graduate students received GSI fellowships
for research projects under the
supervision of Han.
Han has also had several opportunities
to work with GMA. He served as the
technical chair for the GeoFrontiers 2011
conference held in Dallas, Texas, which
was co-sponsored by IFAI, GMA and the
ASCE Geo-Institute. Han delivered the
GMA webinar, " Recent Developments
in Geosynthetic-Stabilized Roads:
Introduction and Mechanisms, " in
November 2018. " GMA is an important
organization that has helped the geosynthetics
industry grow and promoted
the use of geosynthetics technology, "
Han said.
" GMA is very pleased that Dr. Jie
Han has accepted the honor of being
the third Dr. Robert M. Koerner Award
winner and lecturer, " said Fred Chuck,
executive director of GMA. " Han's
decades of contributions and wealth
of experience in all aspects of the geosynthetics
industry and strong background
working with manufacturers in
North America made him the perfect
candidate to receive this year's award.
While it is unfortunate that due to
COVID-19, the in-person conference
in Kansas City had to be postponed until
2023, GMA was pleased to see Dr. Han
present his keynote lecture at the 2021
Geosynthetics Virtual Conference, and
he will present at additional conferences
over the next two years. " G
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