2018 Geosynthetics workshops by Tensar and Geotech Solutions

HAPI members Tensar International and Corporation and Geotech Solutions, Inc. conducted a Use of Geosynthetics for Asphalt Pavements Workshop on the Hawaii Island and Oahu.

Speakers from Tensars: Dan Winkle, Lars Nelson, Dennis Rogers, and Garrett Fountain. They gave a presentation on building superior performing HMA pavements and discussed how to get the most use out of Geosynthetics in your asphalt concrete pavements through design and construction.

Attendees from the consultants and government agencies learned about Geosynthetics and the potential economic benefits and had the opportunity to design and cost improvements using handouts provided by Tensar to do workshop excercises.

The highlight of their workshop was a hands-on demonstration of using Geogrid to stabilize a base. Ten tennis balls were stacked in a pyramid; when pressure was applied to the top, the pyramid collapsed. The pyramid was then setup within at wooden triangle, which simulates an individual triangle of the Geogrid. This time when pressure was applied to the top, the pyramid stayed in place.

What are some of the things attendees remembered most about the workshops?
– demonstrations were very good
– lucky drawing
– learning about the geosynthetic mesh and its benefits
– workshop exercises , such as the tennis ball model
– great benefits and uses of geogrids and glasgrids.
– applications of geogrids in expansive soils and bearing subsurface conditions in soft soils.