Design and Practice of Geosynthetic-Reinforced Soil Structures

This symposium is held to honor the research achievements of Prof. Dov Leshchinsky. He is a world-renowned geotechnical researcher and educator, especially in the design and practice of geosynthetic-reinforced soil structures. University of Bologna, the world oldest university located in one of the most beautiful, historical Italian cities, is selected as the venue for this symposium. The idea developed since Columbia University (School of Engineering and Applied Science) and University of Bologna (School of Engineering and Architecture) already have an active dual degree master’s program. The event takes place for three days (14–16 October, 2013). The third day of symposium includes joint sessions with the 26th Italian National Conference on Geosynthetics. A total of 71 papers, from nearly 30 countries, have been accepted for publication and presentation in the symposium. The papers cover a wide range of topics, as follows: • Geosynthetic-reinforced soil retaining walls • Geosynthetic-reinforced soil slopes • Construction of reinforced embankments over soft soil • Geotextile tubes • Geosynthetic-reinforced soil structures for railways and highways • Properties of backfill soils, geosynthetics, and soil-geosynthetic interaction In addition, the following keynote lectures are delivered by the international experts: • Leshchinsky, D. (USA): Design approaches to geosynthetic-reinforced walls and slopes • Cazzuffi, D. (Italy): Geosynthetics engineering and vegetation growth in soil reinforcement applications • DiMaggio, J.D. (USA): Geosynthetic-reinforced soil walls and slopes: Best practices in design and construction and reality: Why they differ • Koseki, J. (Japan) and Shibuya, S. (Japan): Mitigation of disasters by earthquakes and rains/floods by means of geosynthetic-reinforced soil retaining walls • Moraci, N. (Italy): Soil-geosynthetic interaction: Design parameters from experimental and theoretical analysis • James G. Collin (USA): Shored MSE walls research to practice • Tatsuoka, F. (Japan): The importance of good compaction of the backfill and the compaction control based on the dry density and the degree of saturation Ben and Ora Leshchinsky, Fumio Tatsuoka, Hoe Ling, and Jie Han have composed several non-technical writings about Dov without his prior knowledge or approval. These writings give perspectives of Dov from various angles and times of his life. The social events include a welcome reception in the first evening, inclusive of a short concert featuring operatic excerpts by well-known 19th-century Italian composers, and a banquet in the second evening at Palazzo Isolani, which is one of the most beautiful and important historical buildings in Bologna. The symposium is held under the auspices of the International Geosynthetics Society, the Italian Geotechnical Association, the Italian Chapter of IGS, TC 101 & TC 305 of the International Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Geo-Institute, Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering (DICAM) of University of Bologna, University of Delaware, and Japanese research institutes (Public Works Research Institute, Railway Technical Research Institute and National Institute for Rural Engineering). A total of 14 leading firms participated as industrial sponsors (in alphabetical order): ACE Geosynthetics, ADAMA Engineering, Allan Block, Callide Technologies, Inc, Huesker Synthetic GmbH, Intergeo Services, Micheletto Pavimentazioni, Officine Maccaferri S.p.A, NAUE GmbH & Co. KG, Risi Stone Systems, TeMa Technologies and Materials srl, TENAX, TenCate Geosynthetics Asia Sdn Bhd, Tensar International Corporation. The advertisement pages of the sponsors are included in the proceedings. The industrial supports, which helped to reduce significantly the registration fee while upholding the highest quality of the symposium, are especially appreciated. Prof. Francesco Ubertini, the Head of DICAM, offered various arrangements in the preparation of symposium. Elaine MacDonald and Katherine Rosado of the Department of Civil Engineering, Columbia University provided financial administrative assistance, while Kington Chan gave various kinds of IT support. Last but not least, the organizers would like to express their deepest appreciation to the authors, anonymous reviewers, and Local Organizing Committee (headed by Dr. Guido Gottardi and Dr. Laura Tonni) for their contributions and dedicated work.