The Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI) presented a short course in Charlotte, North Carolina on 6 November 2019 at the Center City Building to a sold out crowd.  The short course was organized by the FGI and was offered in collaboration with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC).  

The excellent and timely presentations focused on the regulations, placement, and management of CCRs, with an emphasis on using geosynthetics.  The morning portion of the short course focused on regulatory issues, containment applications, CCR static properties,and seismic behavior of CCRs.  For example, a presentation by JR Register of Consumers Energy, focused on the current and emerging CCR regulatory issues, while Evan Andrews of Duke Energy provided insight into using geosynthetics to manage, cover, and contain CCRs.  Gary Zych of American Electric Power (AEP)reviewed containment applications for CCRs for AEP facilities. Vincent Ogunro of UNCC followed with an informative presentation on the static material properties and treatment of CCRs. Lastly, Professor Bill Wolfe of The Ohio State University described the seismic behaviors of CCRs and conducting liquefaction analyses for CCRs to wrap up the morning portion.  

The afternoon presentations focused on the practical applications of geosynthetics for CCR management, closure, and containment. For example, Allen Bullock of Leister and Matthew Roy of DemTech provided a demonstration of geomembrane seaming, patching, and testing.  Timothy D. Stark of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign reviewed the importance of geomembrane wrinkles in leakage rates and leak location surveys. Ken Daly of Wood PLC gave an informative presentation on local practices for managing CCRs. Sam Allen of TRI Environmental provided insight on leak location surveys.  Finally, Joe Troxell of S&ME described the largest fabricated geomembrane project in the world, i.e.,Columbus, Ohio Upground Water Reservoir.

Many attendee questions, comments, and experiences made the course a greatsuccess. The topics andspeakers from the successful shortcourseare shown below:

‍Current &Emerging CCR Regulatory Issues - J.R. Register (Consumers Energy)

Geosynthetics in Challenging RegulatoryEnvironments - E. Andrews (Duke Energy)

Containment for CCRs- G. Zych (American Electric Power) 

Static Properties andInnovations in CCR - V. Ogunro (UNCC)

Dynamic behavior ofCCRs - B. Wolfe (OSU)

Importance of Geomembrane Wrinkles - T.Stark (U of Illinois)

‍Local PracticeManaging CCRs - K. Daly (Wood)

‍Leak Location Surveys - S. Allen (TRI)

‍Case Study:  Largest Fabricated Geomembrane Project -J. Troxell (S&ME)

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The Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI) is pleased to welcome its newest installer member, Chesapeake Containment Systems, Inc. (Chesapeake).  Founded in 2007, Chesapeake is an environmental construction firm specializing in geosynthetic supply and installation services. Since 2007, Chesapeake has installed over 300 million square feet of geosynthetics and has over 100 years of combined experience in the industry. To deliver effectively on all their missions Chesapeake is guided by four principles, people, performance, products and progress. The company headquarters is located in Charlotte, North Carolina and their FGI liaison is Ryan Kamp, President, who can be reached at rkamp@ccsliners.com or ccsliners.com. Please help us welcome Chesapeake Containment Systems to the FGI!!!!