Academy and Practice - Linking Practitioners
and Geosynthetics
HUESKER is delighted to invite you to join us for GeoForum. GeoForum is a highly technical geosynthetic short-course, where you will hear from subject-matter experts about:
• Case studies of high-profile projects
• Innovative applications for geosynthetics
• Cutting-edge research
Attendance on the second day is not required but is highly recommended as we will be visiting the HUESKER manufacturing plant, where the strongest geotextile made in America is produced.
This is an invaluable opportunity to engage with leading experts in geosynthetics and civil engineering as they dive deep into these specialized technical topics.
Full day of expert presentations and case studies
Tour the HUESKER manufacturing plant in Shelby, NC
6 Professional Development Hours awarded in conjunction with ASCE
Happy Hour celebrating HUESKER's 35th anniversary
9290 Barnhardt Ln
Charlotte, NC 28223
The SAC is easily identified by its iconic clock tower.
The Cone Visitor Deck
Free Wi-Fi available via the "UNC Charlotte Guest" network.
HUESKER manufacturing plant
Shelby, NC
Limited enrollment. Includes plant tour and live geosynthetics demonstrations.
Full-day seminar at UNC Charlotte • 7:30 AM – 7:00 PM
| Time | Session | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Opening Session | ||
| 7:30 – 8:00 AM | Registration and Welcome Coffee | 30 min |
| 8:00 – 8:20 AM | Opening Remarks Dr. John Daniels, UNC Charlotte & Flavio Montez, HUESKER |
20 min |
| 8:20 – 9:10 AM | Five Decades of Advancements in Geotechnical Practice Across the U.S. Jerry DiMaggio, PE, ASCE, GE |
50 min |
| 9:10 – 10:00 AM | Ingenuity in Civil Engineering using Geosynthetics Dr. Jorge Zornberg |
50 min |
| ☕ Break - 10:00 – 10:20 AM | ||
| Session: Innovation & Soft Soil Solutions | ||
| 10:20 – 11:00 AM | Basal Reinforcement of Embankments on Soft Soils Using High-Modulus Geosynthetics Dr. Oliver Detert |
40 min |
| 11:00 – 11:40 AM | Geotextile Encased Columns: A Versatile Solution for Soft Soil Embankments Dr. Erol Guler |
40 min |
| 11:40 AM – 12:00 PM | Q&A Session | 20 min |
| 🍽️ Lunch - 12:00 – 1:00 PM | ||
| Case Studies | ||
| 1:00 – 1:30 PM | Project Spotlight: Load Transfer Platforms (LTP) over Cemented Columns John Myers, P.E., BC.GE |
30 min |
| 1:30 – 2:00 PM | Project Spotlight: Chesapeake Tunnel, Virginia Beach Juliana Beauchamp, PE |
30 min |
| 2:00 – 2:30 PM | Project Spotlight: Asphalt Reinforced Pavements in Texas Dr. Vinay Kumar |
30 min |
| 2:30 – 2:50 PM | Q&A Session | 20 min |
| ☕ Break - 2:50 – 3:10 PM | ||
| Session: Geosynthetics for Environmental Mitigation & Sustainability | ||
| 3:10 – 4:00 PM | Carolina Contaminants: Ash, PFAS, & Beyond Vincent (Tobi) Ogunro, Ph.D. & Carlos Rodriguez, Doctoral Researcher |
50 min |
| 4:00 – 4:50 PM | Engineering for Longevity: Sustainability and Resilience through Geosynthetics Dr. George Koerner |
50 min |
| Concluding Session - 4:50 – 5:00 PM · TBD | ||
| 5:00 – 7:00 PM | 🎉 Happy Hour: HUESKER 35th Anniversary Celebration HUESKER Team |
120 min |
HUESKER Manufacturing Plant, Shelby, NC • 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM • Limited enrollment
| 9:00 – 10:30 AM | Shelby Plant & Lab Visit HUESKER Team |
90 min |
| 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Geosynthetics Demonstrations: Earthworks, Foundations & Environmental HUESKER Team |
90 min |
Two days of technical sessions, live demonstrations, and hands-on learning. Register for one or both days.