Title: Adoption of Composite Behavior in the Design of Geogrid Stabilized Granular Materials

Abstract: Since the early 1970s, geogrids have been utilized to reinforce or mechanically stabilize granular materials. They have proven successful in the construction of slopes, embankments, load transfer platforms, and walls. As a stabilization material, geogrids are used in laydown yards, paved and unpaved roads, working platforms, airports, rail, and port facilities. Initially, their use was driven by their ability to provide safe access over soft soils. More recently, their use has been motivated by financial benefits associated with the reduction of natural resources, decreased construction time, and extended service life. Environmental benefits include a reduction in the number of trucks and associated fuel needed to transport granular materials, as well as a decrease in water usage during placement and compaction. In the early stages of use, a mechanically stabilized granular layer was incorporated into designs based on its empirical behavior, with the geogrid modeled as a linear element. Over the past decade, research efforts and new testing have revealed the influence of geogrids on surrounding granular materials and led to the development of a method to harness the resulting composite behavior. This presentation will highlight the research that led to this discovery and discuss how engineers can incorporate composite behavior into their designs.

Bio: Dr. Mark H. Wayne, P.E., is a seasoned professional engineer with over three decades of expertise in geotechnical and geosynthetic engineering. He currently holds the position of Director of Application Technology and Engineering at Tensar International, a division of Commercial Metals Corporation, based in Alpharetta, GA. Dr. Wayne is a licensed engineer in seven states and has a distinguished academic background, having earned his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Civil Engineering from Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA. He has made significant contributions to the field of engineering through his extensive research and publications. He has authored over 98 technical papers that have been published in scientific journals, geotechnical magazines, and conference proceedings worldwide. His work primarily focuses on the use of geosynthetics in the design, rehabilitation, and maintenance of transportation infrastructure. In addition to his professional and academic accomplishments, Dr. Wayne is actively involved in several prestigious organizations. He serves as the Chair of the ASCE G-I Geosynthetics Committee and the Mechanical Properties Subcommittee Chair of Geosynthetics, Committee D35, for the American Society for Testing & Materials (ASTM). He is also an active member of the Deep Foundations Institute and the International Standards Organization (ISO).