Glen Toepfer, C.E.T., and Brent Duganiero, C.E.T., CQA Solutions, Ltd.

The purpose of a geosynthetic containment system is to provide environmental protection outside the containment system from the contaminants inside the containment system where geosynthetics function as the main barrier system (along with other purposes). In this regard, “success” should be defined as properly containing the contaminents throughout the project lifecycle; conversely, “failure” should be defined as not containing the contaminents (e.g. leaks in the system). The owner is responsible for a geosynthetics containment system throughout its lifecycle – from the time the project is conceived through a defined post-closure period. This project lifecycle can be broken down into a series of key components, one building upon another which form a “Pyramid of Success”. The layers of the pyramid from bottom to top are: Owner Involvement & Accountability; Vendor Selection; Design & Specifications; Materials & Equipment; Fieldwork; and, Operations & Closure. Each of these “layers” of the “pyramid” provide an opportunity for project success or project failure.

This short course will examine each of these levels of the pyramid through the sharing of key lessons learned throughout thirty-five years in the geosynthetics containment industry. This presentation will be enhanced by photographs, videos, and physical samples that attendees can examine during the discussion as well as some hand’s on exercises simulating critical field decisions that must be made during construction.