TRB Webinar: Guidelines for Geofoam Applications in Slope Stability Projects

TRB conducted a webinar on Thursday, July 27, 2017 from 2:00PM to 3:30PM ET that described ways to use geofoam to address slope stability problems. Presenters provided information about the design methodology of geofoam and an overview of construction practices. Presenters also reviewed the standards for the use of geofoam in slope stability applications. The results of this research can be found in NCHRP Research Digest 380: Guidelines for Geofoam Applications in Slope Stability Projects.

This webinar was organized by the TRB Standing Committees on Transportation Earthworks; Soil and Rock Properties; and Geosynthetics.

The slides are available.

Webinar Presenters 

• David Arellano, The University of Memphis
• Steven Bartlett, The University of Utah
• Ben Arndt, Yeh & Associates, Inc.

Moderated by:  Mohammed Mulla, North Carolina Department of Transportation

Webinar Outline

1. Overview of problem statement and background on use of geofoam
2. Engineering properties of block-molded expanded polystyrene or slope stabilization
3. Design methodology overview
4. Construction practices
5. Update on previous standard for slope stability applications
6. Cost considerations
7. Question and answer session

The first 60 minutes of the webinar will be for presentations and the final 30 minutes will be reserved for audience questions. The Registered Continuing Education Program (RCEP) categorizes this webinar activity as relating to health, safety, and welfare including core technical.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Describe background of geofoam as written in NCHRP Guidelines for Geofoam Applications in Slope Stability Projects
• Understand engineering properties and design methodologies of geofoam
• List current construction practices of geofoam

Professional Development Hour Information

A certificate for 1.5 Professional Development Hours (PDHs) will be provided to Professional Engineers (PEs) who register and attend the webinar as an individual. For groups, only the person that registers and attends the session will receive a PDH certificate. Certificates of Completion will be issued only to individuals who register for and attend the entire webinar session.

Individuals registered as Florida PEs are no longer required to email TRB with your license number to report your attendance. Instead, please use your certificate that TRB provides through RCEP.net as verification of your attendance to the Florida Board of Professional Engineers.

Please check with your licensing board to ensure that TRB webinar PDHs are approved by your board.

This webinar was developed in October 2016. TRB has met the standards and requirements of the Registered Continuing Education Program (RCEP). Credit earned on completion of this program will be reported to RCEP by TRB. Complaints about registered providers may be sent to RCEP, 1015 15th Street, NW, 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20005. Website: www.RCEP.net.

Registration questions? Contact Reggie Gillum at RGillum@nas.edu.