Robert M. Koerner Award and Lecture
Established in 2016, the Robert M. Koerner Award and Lecture is given to an individual that has had a measurable impact on the geosynthetics industry in North America. Recipients are also required to have a background in one or more of the following areas of expertise: education, design, or testing of geotextiles, geomembranes, geogrids, geonets, GCLs and/or erosion control materials.
Lessons Learned: An Adventure in 4 Decades of Geosynthetics Engineering
Barry R. Christopher, Ph.D., P.E., Geotechnical Engineering Consultant, Christopher Consultants
This presentation will review my involvement in the development of geosynthetics engineering practice over the past 40 years. The adventure begins with early work in geosynthetic design, laboratory test development to provide design input parameters, and research to confirm performance of these innovative materials. Work with manufactures to develop new geosynthetic products to meet geotechnical and geoevironmental engineering needs will also be included. Both successes and failures will be reviewed, as we often learn more from failures than we do from successes. The significant impact that these materials have had in improving the state of the practice will be highlighted. And, of course, the contributions, collaboration and peer review provided by Dr. Koerner along the way will be recognized.