Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) Inspector Training
and Optional Certification Exam
A classroom & hands‐on course to help you to understand Inspection, monitoring & maintenance of
mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls, berms & slopes.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012 TRI’s Denver Downs Research Facility (DDRF) & ‐ Holiday Inn Express
Anderson, SC 29621
Accredited Geosynthetics Laboratories Accreditation Designation # GAI-LAP-95-01
ABOUT THE TRAINING The explosion in Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) structures designed and installed in the last 20 years has revolutionized the grade separation solutions used in site development construction. Accompanying this dramatic growth (or because of it) there has been an increasing frequency of MSE structure failure (excessive deformation and collapse) despite the fact that we know properly engineered and constructed MSE structures are capable of achieving what we are designing them to do! This is a clear indication that many owners, designers, contractors and inspection/regulatory agencies are not sufficiently educated in critical MSE construction methods. Project responsibilities, construction inspection, quality control, and on‐going performance monitoring are all vital to the success of MSE structures. The challenges and costs of affective remediation, not to mention safety, are reason enough to make sure your MSE project is properly constructed. The purpose of this short course is to fill this void and to prepare qualified individuals to obtain Certified Inspector status through the Geosynthetic Certification Institutes’s Inspectors Certification Program (GCI‐ICP) for MSE Walls, Berms and Slopes. This course is ideal preparation for the Geosynthetic Certification Institute’s certification exam and will provide a comprehensive understanding to those professionals who are: preparing MSE designs, reviewing MSE plans, constructing MSE Structures and performing MSE field inspections. The first half of the day focuses on presenting the state of MSE construction, including current practices and a review of lessons learned from failures. Additional time is spent establishing rationale and standard operating procedures for field inspections, documentation of visual observations and identification of potential problem situations. The second half of the day focuses on HANDS‐ON construction of MSE structures done right . . . and wrong! A tour of TRI’s Denver Downs Research Facility will be provided including review of some TRI internal R&D projects related to the class curriculum. Each MSE course student may register to sit for the Geosynthetic Certification Institute’s ‐Inspectors Certification Program (CQA‐ICP) for MSE Walls, Berms and Slopes exam immediately following the MSE course (see registration page for details).
Single Day MSE Inspector Training Optional, Same Day Certification Exam Classroom & Hands‐On Training PROFESSIONALS WHO WILL BENEFIT: Specifying/Certifying Engineers Construction/Quality Assurance Project Managers Installers/Contractors Third‐Party Inspectors Regulators WHY ATTEND? Construction Inspection of Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) Walls, Berms and Slopes can be a high‐value addition to your Construction, Consulting, Site Inspection, or Design Engineering practice. Each student will be provided a certificate of course completion, suitable for use in proposals and (SOQ) statements of qualifications. This unique training program provides a wonderful opportunity for professional growth and business development.
INSTRUCTORS & FACILITIES
Special Instructor: Mr. John Paulson, P.E. ‐ President DISON C & S, LLC Mr. Paulson has been involved with hundreds of MSE projects during his more than 30-year career in geotechnical and geosynthetic engineering and technical marketing. He is an accomplished technical professional with a solid background in all aspects of soil reinforcement design/construction concepts and practices, as well as extensive expertise in geosynthetic manufacturing and marketing. He is a registered Professional Engineer in numerous states and has an extensive list of geotechnical/geosynthetic industry related activities, publications and honors. Most recently, Mr. Paulson was co-owner of an Engineering Consulting company in suburban Atlanta specializing in designing geogrid-reinforced segmental retaining walls and geogrid-reinforced soil slopes for commercial projects. Mr. Joel Sprague, P.E. – Sr. Engineer and Technical Director of TRI’s Denver Downs Research Facility (DDRF) Mr. Sprague is a long-time member of the senior technical staff of TRI/Environmental, Austin, TX. Mr. Sprague is based in Greenville, South Carolina where he also consults for Sprague & Sprague Consulting Engineers. Mr. Sprague specializes in research, development, and application of geosynthetics, plastic pipe, and erosion and sediment control technologies. He has authored numerous articles and technical papers on the development, testing, and application of these technologies. He is co-chair of the subcommittee on mechanical properties for ASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics. He is also actively involved in ASTM Subcommittee D18.25 on Erosion and Sediment Control. He is a registered professional engineer in North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Texas. About TRI TRI/Environmental, Inc. (TRI) has been active in geosynthetics testing, inspection and research and development for over twenty years. TRI is an independent, third‐party laboratory unaffiliated with any manufacturing, engineering/consulting, or construction management firm. Download registration forms for the courses and exams at www.GeosyntheticTesting.com
PROGRAM OVERVIEW INSPECTION, MONITORING AND MAINTENANCE OF MECHANICALLY STABILIZED EARTH (MSE) WALLS, BERMS AND SLOPES PART 1: Classroom
Introduction to MSE Structures 8:00 am – 8:30 am Project Bid Types & Responsibilities 8:30 am – 9:00 am
MSE Failures – Too Many Problems!! 9:00 am – 9:30 am
Remediating Failures – 9:30 am – 10:00 am The Fix is Tougher than the Original Problem!!
Materials of Construction, Lab & Field Testing, 10:00 am – 10:30 am and Acceptance of Materials
Construction Procedures – Best Practices 10:30 am – 11:00 pm Inspection and Monitoring: The Devil is in the Details!! 11:00 am – 12:00 pm Lunch (Provided) 12:00 pm – 12:30 pm
PART 2: Field Training
Hands‐On Demonstrations 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Doing it Correctly; What’s Wrong Here?; Stand Back While We Load Up! PART 3: Certification Test
Review for Exam 3:30 pm – 4:00 pm Certification Exam 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Exam Information 1) ALL students wishing to sit for the exam(s) MUST FIRST register for certification through the Geosynthetics Certification Institute and pay the applicable fees directly to GSI (phone: 610‐522‐8440). GSI registration must be received by the GSI 7‐10 days before the May 22 exam. 2) Students are REQUIRED to bring a government‐issued photo ID prior to entering the testing room. They must also supply the Proctor with a photocopy of the ID when turning in the test. 3) Time allowed: Students will be given two hours to take the certification test. There are 140 questions and you must answer 70% of the questions correctly in order to pass. Please note that there is only one correct answer for each question. 4) The test is a multiple‐choice test. The student must circle the correct answer (and only one answer) for each question. They must not select multiple answers for the same question. Where to stay for the courses… TRI’s Denver Downs Research Facility (DDRF) is located just off of I‐85 at Exit 19B. It is 40 miles from GSP airport, 120 miles from the CLT and ATL airports. Attendees are responsible for making reservations and paying for their own accommodation. Numerous hotels are located just ¾‐mile from DDRF, options include:
• Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites (Event Location) 864/863‐4780
• Hilton Garden Inn 864/964‐0100
• Jameson Inn 864/375‐9800
• Hampton Inn 864/375‐1999
• Comfort Suites 864/622‐1200
• Country Inn and Suites 864/622‐2200
• Fairfield Inn 864/332‐9000
• Microtel Inn Suites 864/224‐9707o
TRI MSE TRAINING & CERTIFICATION REGISTRATION FORM (22 May 12 – 8am‐5pm) Registration Costs: 1 person ‐ $450 ea ● 2 people ‐ $400 ea ● 3+ people $350 ea ● Government Rate $225 ea Fee Includes: course notes and handouts, lunch and AM & PM coffee break service.
Method of payment: Check Money Order Amex Visa Master Card Credit Card Information Card Holder’s Name Company Name
Billing Street Address
Billing City State/Prov Postal Code
Telephone Email Country
Card Number Expiration Date
Amount to be Charged P.O. Number (if required):
I am taking the GCI Exam and I understand that I must register with the Geosynthetic Institute separately I am NOT taking the GCI Exam
Please direct questions to Mr. Joel Sprague: (864) 242-2220, fax: (864) 242-3107. Please Remit Payment and Registration Information to: Mr. Chris Perez Email: [email protected] Fax: 512-263-2558 TRI 9063 Bee Caves Rd. Austin, TX 78733
# of Registrants from Company X rate for each = Registrant Total
Name of Registrant Email Phone GCI Exam * Enter $35 for the 1st $20 each thereafter
1. $35.00
2. $20.00
3. $0.00
4. $0.00
5. $0.00
GCI Total
Registrant Total
Grand Total
Registrations must be received by 5:00 pm CST, Friday, May 4, 2012 $50.00 /person late fee thereafter Fee Includes: course notes and handouts, and lunch and AM & PM breaks each day. There is a $50.00 cancellation fee for refunds requested before May 4, 2012 -- no refunds thereafter. Course notes are NOT sold separately.
* GCI EXAM fees DO NOT pay for the exam, only for the sitting fee. The GCI exam is part of the GCI CQA technician certification. IF you are taking the exam you MUST REGISTER with the Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) and pay the $500 certification fee directly to GSI. Telephone: 610-522-8440 or visit geosynthetic-institute.org for details