The Use of Geosynthetics as a Soil Reinforcing Element and BS8006 as a Design Standard

Steve Corbet

Steve Corbet has been the Chair for the revision of BS 8006- Reinforced and Strengthened Soils. This Standard has been in use since 1995 however market and design experience has necessitated some revision and enhancement to the original document. This was finalised in late 2010 and was issued to the market.

The use of soil reinforced structures, particularly in applications of reinforced basal treatments under embankments or over piles is gaining wide spread acceptance in Australia over recent years. Generally the design of such structures follows no national code with very little local guidance. Steve will also talk about current overseas design practice in the use of this BS8006 standard for design of soil reinforced walls and slopes with reference to some limited design codes that have been implemented by Roading Authorities here in Australia. An example would be the Qld Dept of Transport Specification TMR 11.06. The talk will discuss major design differences between alternate European Codes for such structures and BS8006.

The talk will focus on the use of geosynthetics as a reinforcing element. General discussion will also talk about conformance testing and acceptance as well as specification techniques to accurately describe product required.

Samples of products applicable to the uses discussed will be given out to attendees.

About the speaker

Steve Corbet Chairman BSI Committee, Reinforced and Strengthened Soils; Technical Director, AECOM

Steve Corbet is responsible for the technical performance of the AECOM Ground Technology Group including the management of projects to ensure that the best possible solutions for geotechnical aspects are delivered. He has currently 27 years service at AECOM.

He is one of the UK’s leading independent experts in the designing, specifying and standardisation of geosynthetics. Steve has written a large number of technical and project papers, related to the design and specification of geosynthetic materials.

Steve has been the Chairman of BSI Committee B526/4 since 1998 – Reinforced and Strengthened Soils, BS 8006. He is Chairman of the BSi Technical Committee B553 – Geosynthetics, has represented the UK on the CEN Technical Committee TC189 for the preparation of geosynthetics application, testing and certification standards since 1990 working on all of the WGs. He will be appointed to be Chairman of the ISO Technical Committee TC221 Geosynthetics from Jan 2013.

Steve is a past Council member of International Geosynthetics Society where he served as the Chairman of the Technical Committee the produce the IGS Guide to the Specification of Geosynthetics and the first series of training lectures.

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