In late 1960s, the introduction of engineered synthetics, i.e. geosynthetics, into soil was a major breakthrough in improving the engineering behavior of soil. While the theories of classic soil mechanics by Coulomb, Rankine and Terzaghi have not been changed significantly with time, adaptations to these fundamental principles have been developed to take geosynthetics into consideration. This technical symposium is an occasion where you will be able to appreciate various types of geosynthetics, including geotextile, geogrid, geodrain, geomembrane, etc., to understand their material characteristics, to learn the applications and designs of these products, to review case histories, to understand the current limitations of geosynthetics and to look forward future developments.

Eight presentations will be made by practicing experts of this specialty field in this full-day technical symposium to cover different aspects of geosynthetics, including an overview & history of geosynthetics, conductive HDPE waterproofing membrane, geosynthetic cementitious composite mat, prefabricated band drain, slope protection steel cable mesh, international conformance testing of geosynthetics, drainage geocomposite, and reinforced soil construction development.

You will also have an opportunity to obtain hands-on experience on material interactions during the symposium, such as conducting a leak spark test for geomembrane on your own, witnessing various types of geotextile filtering, modelling behavior of geogrid reinforced block wall etc.

Programme

 

 

 

Speakers

Leo K. OVERMANN is the Founder and General Manager of Vista Consulting Engineers Limited, Hong Kong. He graduated from Purdue University, Indiana, U.S.A. in 1979 with a B.Sc. in civil engineering. Since then, he has worked with Golder Associates (HK) Limited for 22 years before leaving in 2002 to found VISTA Consulting Engineers Limited, providing technical consulting for environmental and geotechnical projects in Hong Kong and throughout Southeast Asia and the United States. Leo is a registered professional engineer in the U.S. and a member of a number of professional associations globally.

Alan BAMFORTH, BSc(Hons), CEng, MICE, MCIHT, has 30 years' experience of geocomposite drainage and is the founding director and CEO of ABG Limited, Meltham, U.K., the leading UK producer of geocomposites. Alan is the author of six technical papers and has presented at international conferences worldwide on the use and understanding of geocomposite drainage. He was instrumental in the first Cavidrain geocomposite Tunnel invert drainage application for MTRC at Black Hills in 2000. His current research is directed towards the use of geocomposites in blue roofs.

Corazon B. QUEJA, aka Cora, is the General Manager – TRI-Suzhou / Director – TRI Environmental, Anaheim, California, U.S.A. She graduated from University of Santo Thomas, Philippines with a B.S. in Chemical Engineering, an MBA from Ateneo University, Philippines, and a Certificate in Environmental Site Assessment & Remediation from UC-Irvine, U.S.

Cora established and managed Precision Geosynthetic Laboratories International, Inc. (PGLI) satellite laboratories including Kennesaw, GA, Evergreen AL, Houston, TX and Suzhou, China. She also helped established PGLI Environmental Laboratory and is well versed with all environmental testing. When TRI acquired PGLI, Cora continued the same responsibilities from PGLI.

Marco CERRO is the South East Asia Technical Manager at Maccaferri Asia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He graduated from Polytechnic University of Turin, Italy with a B.Sc. (2009) and Master in Civil Engineering (2011). He also attended a post-graduate course in tunnel construction in 2012.

Marco started at Stecingegneria s.r.l. (VC) in Italy in 2011, and then move onto Officine Maccaferri in Italy as Civil Engineer in 2013. In 2014, he was transferred to the U.S. office, and again to Malaysia office in 2016 until now. He is a registered professional civil engineer in Italy and has published several papers and publications over the years.

Dirk-Jan den OUDEN is the Regional Manager at CeTeau, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He was born in a wetland in the south of the Netherlands. The combination of water and soft clay all around made the area an interesting place for construction projects. Taking up a study in Civil Engineering was therefore a logic step.

Having escaped from the cold weather in the Netherlands, Dirk-Jan has worked over the last 20 years on numerous large reclamation projects in the Middle East and Asia. Many of these projects included mass soil improvements by various means.

Dirk-Jan joined the specialist contractor CeTeau in 2015 and currently heads up CeTeau’s operations in Asia. CeTeau is one of the world's largest manufacturers of prefabricated vertical drains as well as a specialist installation contractor of vertical drains.

Hermann Hoe Boon NG graduated in Civil Engineering from the National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan and obtained Master of Engineering in Geotechnical Engineering at Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand. He worked as a principal geotechnical engineer in Malaysia; specializing in geotechnical engineering design and construction includes soft ground improvement, building foundation and basement excavation, road and highway embankments. Since 2006, he has been working as Technical Manager of GSE Lining Technology Co., Ltd., providing technical support on GSE geosynthetics products and relevant engineering support to engineers and clients in Asia Pacific. He is a Professional Engineer registered under Board of Engineers, Malaysia, and a member of International Geosynthetics Society.

Michael CHONG is the Business Development Manager of Concrete Canvas Limited - Far East Asia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He graduated from University Science of Malaysia (USM) with Bachelor Degree in Civil Engineering. He has 15 years of working experience in geosynthetics industry with 13 years in TenCate Geosynthetic Asia and 2 years in Saint Gobain - Adfors Malaysia.

He is well verse in testing, material behavior and applications of various geosynthetics products. He also has hands-on experience in installation of geosynthetics products.

Michael is a certified professional in erosion and sediment control of CPESS, Inc. U.S.A. and a graduate member of Institute of engineers Malaysia (IEM).

In his working career, Michael often give technical talks to various organizations, professional institutes and public work departments both in Malaysia and overseas to promote the use of geosynthetics to solve common civil engineering problems.

Albert T. YEUNG is on the civil engineering faculty of The University of Hong Kong (HKU). He is also an Adjunct Professor of Taiyuan University of Technology (太原理工大學) under the International 100 Talents Scheme of Shanxi Province, China. Before his return to Hong Kong in 1998, he was on the civil engineering faculty of Northeastern University in Boston and Texas A&M University in College Station of the United States for a total of more than 7 years. He was also a Research Assistant Engineer of Texas Transportation Institute for 8 years. After his return to Hong Kong, he served as Chief Engineer of Binnie Black & Veatch Hong Kong Limited (a subsidiary of Black & Veatch of Overland Park, Kansas, U.S.A.), and Assistant Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the Hong Kong HKSAR Government before his return to academia in 2003.

Abstracts

Use of Geosynthetics in Hong Kong: An Overview - Leo K. Overmann

Geosynthetics are "man-made" materials have common applications that impact on us daily. But these applications, as dictated by the Government, have various applications and quality issues. However, there are also countless other civil and environment applications and innovative technologies associated with these geosynthetics materials.

Design with Drainage Geocomposite - Alan Bamforth

Geosynthetics drainage system is a feasible alternative to drainage stone in different structural and heavy civil applications. Successful applications depend on several factors and the design criteria. We will look at a few examples in this presentation.

CQA Conformance Testing Practices for Geosynthetics - Corazon B. Queja

CQA (Construction Quality Assurance) is employed to make sure that the designs are properly followed, sites are properly prepared, and all materials are within specifications. This paper shows how geosynthetic testing is being applied to various projects in Hong Kong.

Steel Cable Rock Mesh: Active Slope Protection - Marco Cerro

Secured drapery systems are composed of a steel rockfall mesh and a pattern of nails disposed with different configurations along the slope. The goal of this solution is to stabilize the superficial portion of the rock slope (by the nails) and keep in place the unstable rock material (by the mesh). This presentation describes a simplified design approach, which combines the in-situ evidence and the experience of designers with the results of full-scale tests on mesh.

Prefabricated Band Drain Installation - Dirk-Jan den Ouden

When soil improvement by consolidation is required, various matters are to be considered when selecting the prefabricated vertical drains (PVD), as well as suitable installation equipment. By providing in-depth knowledge on the background of PVD, the types of drain, installation practices and quality control, one will have a better understanding on the various requirements when considering the use of vertical drains.

Permanent Leak Location Liner System for Environmental Containments - Hermann Ng

HDPE geomembrane plays an important role as quality containment, which, in turn, relies on the integrity of the seam on a long-term basis. A new generation leak location liner system, in association with permanent liner integrity monitoring technology, has been proven to be effective in enhancing the sustainability of geomembrane lined facilities. An introduction is presented.

Geosynthetic Cementitious Composite Mats (GCCM)- Michael Chong

The presentation is an introduction of Geosynthetic Cementitious Composite Mats, it's unique characteristics, advantages, applications, installation and case studies.

Reinforcing soil with Geosynthetics - Albert T. Yeung

Reinforced Earth© construction debuted in France in 1966. However, it was first used in Hong Kong in 1981. Since then, the development of the application of the technology in Hong Kong has been slow despite tremendous advance in the technology overseas. Conservative mindset, misconception of the behavior of polymeric material and lack of academic training are still vivid. The presentation will give an overview of the development of reinforced fill construction in Hong Kong.

Language: English

Date:  Wednesday, 6th June 2018 (8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m)

Venue: The Cityview (城景國際), 23 Waterloo Road, Yaumatei, Kowloon (MTR Yau Ma Tei Station Exit A2)

Cost: $1,450 (include coffee breaks, buffet lunch, course notes, attendance certificate)

Early bird discount: $1,280 for registration completed on or before 23th May 2018.

Registration: (1) make a deposit or direct transfer to "Advanced Technovation Limited" at HSBC Account No. 400-304267-001 or prepare an e-cheque payable to "Advanced Technovation Limited"; (2a) register online at adv-technovation.com; or (2b) fill in the reply slip and email the completed reply slip with the deposit slip, direct transfer receipt or e-cheque to support@adv-technovation.com