A MILESTONE symposium to mark 25 years of advancement in Polymer Geogrid research and development will bring UK academics and geotechnical practitioners together to review progress in the field of geogrid reinforcement and discuss the future direction of research and to deliver further advancements.
Organised by Institution of Civil Engineers and supported by Tensar International alongside the Royal Academy, EPSRC, BGA and other engineering bodies, the Jubilee Symposium on Polymer Geogrid Reinforcement takes place Tuesday 8th September 2009, at One Great George Street, London.
“When Dr Brian Mercer invented and developed stiff polymer geogrid technology in the late 1970s, he saw its immense potential,” comments Hein Jas, Tensar International’s Director Application Technology. “At that time, Tensar collaborated with leading universities to investigate the potential applications of geogrids in a programme supported by the Science and Engineering Research Council. This research broke new ground and led directly to the successful introduction of geogrid technology into the construction sector.
“Tensar is proud to have continued Dr. Mercer’s legacy and it’s now time, not just to look back and review progress, but to debate future priorities for research and development in geogrid technology.”
“The initiative on Polymer Geogrid Development in the early 1980s was one of the earliest collaborative ventures between universities and industry sponsored by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council,” said Dave Delpy, Chief Executive of the EPSRC.
“It effectively created a new industry which broke new ground in civil engineering and construction for cost efficient, high sustainability structures. It remains an excellent example of a highly successful joint development programme.
The symposium will identify the challenges for new research to deepen the understanding of the mechanism to deliver further technical advancements, as well as economical and environmental benefits.
“Over the past 25 years, technical innovation has greatly extended the application of geogrids,” adds Tensar’s Chief Engineer, Chris Jenner. “Now further investigation into the mechanisms of reinforcement is required to achieve full understanding of the interaction between the geogrid and soil. The Jubilee Symposium will be a great opportunity for the industry to identify the direction of future research.”
Symposium Themes cover:
• The birth and coming of age of geogrids – Professor R.M. Koerner
• Geogrids in unpaved roads and hardstandings – Dr. J.P. Giroud
• Geogrids in permanent roads and railways – Professor S.F. Brown
• Geogrids in walls and steep slopes –Professor A. McGown
• Identifying the direction of future research – Professor C.J.F.P Jones
The Jubilee Symposium is sponsored by;
• Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists
• Tensar International
• The Ground Forum
• The Royal Academy of Engineering
• Engineering Group of the Geological Society
• Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
• The British Geotechnical Association
• International Geosynthetics Society
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