Supported by: Malaysian International Geosynthetics Society


COURSE OUTLINE

Generally, soil is inherently weak in tension and some types, especially soft clay, have low shear strength and low permeability. In the past, engineers would use natural materials to improve the soil/ground. For example, using bamboo allows an embankment to be built on soft ground. But, with new technology, geosynthetics are now commonly used in the construction industry to improve the soil/ground and thus allow construction works to be carried out effectively (cost & time), practically and in an environmentally-friendly manner. Geosynthetics are used extensively in the construction industry, especially in geotechnical engineering applications, to provide technical practicality and cost effective solutions. But although relevant standards and handbooks are available, engineers often face difficulties in specifying the appropriate and adequate technical requirements of geosynthetics products. Other than that, correct testing methods are also important to ensure the selected geosynthetics products will perform as per design intention. This seminar is aimed to provide proper understanding of the behaviour, advantages, disadvantages etc.of the functions of geosynthetics.


WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

This seminar is intended for project managers, advisers, designers, consultant, constructors that are involved in the design and application of geosynthetics.


BIODATA OF SPEAKER

Mr. Michael Dobie is a Geotechnical Engineer with more than 40 years of experience, including 28 years working in SE Asia (Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia). He graduated from Bristol University with a BSc in Civil Engineering, then a few years later from Imperial College, London with an MSc in Soil Mechanics.  His experience includes working for consulting engineers (WS Atkins & Partners and Acer Freeman Fox) and for geotechnical specialists (Delft Soil Mechanics Laboratory and Dames & Moore). One assignment consisted of setting up and running the Central Soils Laboratory (CSL) in Bangi, Malaysia for the North-South Expressway project.  Since early 1991 Mike has been employed by Tensar International Limited as Regional Manager for Asia Pacific.  He has had extensive input into the development of design methods and software, including the design of reinforced soil structures under seismic loading conditions.  Mike’s office is in Jakarta, Indonesia.  Locally he is a Member of HATTI (Indonesian Geotechnical Society), and Vice President of the Indonesian Chapter of the International Geosynthetics Society (INA-IGS).  He is a Chartered engineer, a Fellow of ICE and also a Fellow of CIHT.  He is currently the Indonesia Country Representative of ICE.

Ir. Chris Lawson is the Technical Director for Ten Cate Geosynthetics Group. Chris received his Engineering Degrees from The University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. He has worked in the field of geosynthetics for 35 years in Australia, Europe, North America and Asia. During this period, he has served on a number of international organizations developing Standards and Codes of Practice, including BS8006 a British Standard Code of Practice for Soil Reinforcement. Chris has acted as technical advisor on many large scale geosynthetics projects in the field of embankments, reinforced soil techniques and coastal, hydraulic and environmental engineering in Australia, Asia and Europe. He is the author of over 50 technical papers on geosynthetics, geotechnical engineering and hydraulic and marine engineering. He has been the keynote speaker at numerous conferences and symposia. He is an ex-Council Member of the International Geosynthetics Society. In 2006, Chris was invited to present the Third Giroud Lecture at the 8th International Conference on Geosynthetics in Yokohama, Japan.

Ir. Albert Lim graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1988 and received his Master of Science in 1990 after completing a Research Project in Prediction of Pavement Remaining Life funded by the Mississippi State Highway Authority, USA. He is presently the Regional Manager of Tencate Geosynthetics Asia for the Water and Environment Division in Asia Pacific. Albert has traveled extensively in the Asia Pacific region providing his expertise to geotechnical engineering problems over the past 20 years and has conducted many short courses and lectures on geosynthetics to government agencies, engineering institutions, consultants and contractors. He has also authored more than 30 technical publications in both local and international conferences. In this presentation, he will share the application of Geotube containment system as a cost effective solution for solving waterways and coastlines erosion protection.  

Dr. Loke K H graduated Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Geosynthetics Engineering and Bachelor of Engineering (Civil), with First Class Honours, from the University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom in 1987. Later in his career, he graduated Master of Business Administration (MBA) with Distinction, also from the University of Strathclyde, UK. He has been involved in the research, manufacturing, consulting, design and teaching of geosynthetics for more than 25 years. He worked with several multi-national companies dealing with geosynthetics in senior management position and has been instrumental in the development of geosynthetics applications in Malaysia. He has conducted many courses on geosynthetics applications and technology to public and universities.  He is also active in the development of Malaysia test standard for geosynthetics serving as Chairman in the Geosynthetics working group, WG6 of Standard Malaysia. He is currently the Business Director with Tensar International Limited and lectures occasionally at the University of Strathclyde, School of Business on Strategy of its MBA program.

Ir. Hermann Ng graduated in Civil Engineering from the National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan in 1997 and obtained Master Engineering in Geotechnical Engineering at Asian Institute of Technology (AIT), Thailand. He worked as a geotechnical engineer in Malaysia for almost eight years before joining GSE Lining Technology Co. Ltd. – a leading geosynthetic manufacturer in 2006. He is currently Sr. Technical Manager of GSE Lining Technology Co., Ltd. – A Solmax Group company, providing technical support on Solmax geosynthetics products and relevant engineering support to engineers and clients in Asia Pacific. He is a Professional Engineer registered under Board of Engineers, Malaysia, and a committee member of International Geosynthetics Society – Malaysia Chapter (MYIGS).    

Ir EG Balakrishnan is a Director of GCU Consultants Sdn Bhd, a specialist geotechnical consultancy firm. He graduated from University Malaya with honours degree in Civil Engineering in 1985. He has worked in both consulting and construction firms covering the general disciplines of civil engineering before pursuing a Master Programme in Geotechnical Engineering at Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok from 1992 to 1994. He started GCU Consultants Sdn Bhd in 1998. Since then, he has been involved in large civil engineering projects providing geotechnical consultancy services. His scope covered all ranges of geotechnical engineering comprising foundation, ground treatments, slopes, walls & retention systems for highways, railways, deep excavation, reclamation, high rise buildings, ports, oil & gas and large civil infrastructure projects. Some of the major completed projects include Express Rail Link, Guthrie Expressway, Electrified Double Track Projects, New Pantai Expressway, Besraya Expressway, Pengerang Oil Terminal, MRT 1&2, and West Coast Expressway. He has published number of papers locally and internationally. He has aslo published a paper in the ACSE titled “Load Deformation Analysis of Bored Piles in a Residual Weathered Formation” in 1999. He also made number of presentations locally and internationally on various topics. He is also a committee member of the Geotechnical Engineering Technical Division of Institution of Engineers, Malaysia (IEM).

Mr. Danny Ng graduated from Federal Institute of Engineering KL in Diploma in Mechanical Engineering in year 1984 and also finished his Master of Business Administrationin from Entrepreneurship of Australia in 2008. He were awarded the MBIC Entrepreneur Award in 2015 and Enterprise 50 Award in 2016. Ir. Danny Ng in currently the CEO of the MTS FIBROMAT (M) SDN BHD.