ACigs Webinar

Thursday 3rd November 1:00PM Brisbane time (AEST)

Geosynthetic Specification and Understanding MARV

The specification of the physical characteristics of geosynthetics form part of virtually all landfill, mine waste and road projects. In landfill and mine waste applications the geosynthetic components are key elements of the structure as they form the barrier preventing contamination of the natural environment by the waste contained within the facility. The correct specification of the performance characteristics of the geosynthetics is therefore vital in ensuring the effectiveness and durability of the materials.

In Australia the manufacturers and suppliers traditionally used typical or Average values to define the characteristics of their material, however the limitations of this type of data was identified by the Queensland Department of Main Roads as early as the mid 1980’s. Around the same time the same issue was being discussed in the USA and the Minimum Average Roll Value (MARV) concept was developed to provide designers with reliable values on which to base their designs. Around 2005 the Australian geosynthetics industry (suppliers, designers and regulators) began to adopt MARV as the preferred method of geosynthetic specification, despite strong resistance from some suppliers which continues to this day.

The move to MARV has been a positive step forward for the industry, however there continues to be some confusion with regard to the application and acceptance of products when using MARV. This presentation will go through the process on how suppliers/manufacturers set/define their published MARV values, what designers should be aware of when developing a specification and how to deal with a failure should one occur.

About the Speaker

Warren Hornsey Pr. Eng.

Warren is professional civil engineer, with experience in Africa, UK and Australia. He is the Director of TRI Australasia, an independent geosynthetic testing and analysis laboratory, based on the Gold Coast in Queensland. He is directly responsible for all geosynthetic testing and support in the Australasian region.

He has 24 years experience in geosyntheic design, construction and R&D, he is the past Chairman of Standards Australia CE20 committee on geosynthetics and a past committee member of the International Geosynthetics Society. He has published over 20 peer reviewed papers covering a range of geosynthetic applications and has a passion for all things geosynthetic related.