Soil Reinforcement

IGS Technical Committee on Soil Reinforcement

The Technical Committee on Soil Reinforcement (TC-R) is dedicated to the scientific and engineering development of geosynthetics systems and associated technologies. This committee promotes the dissemination of knowledge, technology, research findings, design and construction methodologies related to reinforcement applications of geosynthetics, such as reinforced soil walls and abutments; reinforced soil steep slopes; basal reinforcement of embankments on soft soil, on piles, and on voids; veneer reinforcement of shallow soil layers on slopes.

Our Work

The TC-R’s work includes:

Conducting research work to better understand the interaction between soil and geosynthetics
Recommending ways to improve the safety and cost-effectiveness of reinforced construction
Reporting on the state of regulations for geosynthetic-reinforced slopes and retaining structures
Dissemination of conference proceedings
Organising sessions at IGS conferences to exchange current information on soil reinforcement activities worldwide

Activities

2024 Joint Technical Workshop with ISSMGE: Reinforcement and Drainage in Soil Structures, Barcelona, Spain – June 2024, VIEW PROCEEDINGS
2020 Workshop in Barcelona, Spain – January 2020.
2018 GeoReinforcement Workshop in Munich, Germany

Meet Our Leaders

Ivan Puig Damians

Chair
Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya – BarcelonaTech (UPC, School of Civil Engineering), Spain

Fernanda Ferreira

Vice Chair
University of Aveiro
Department of Geosciences
Portugal

Pietro Rimoldi

Vice Chair
Consultant
Milano, Italy

Yewei Zheng

Secretary
Wuhan University
School of Civil Engineering
China

Get Involved

The TC-R accepts applications from individual IGS members and representatives of IGS corporate members.

Join:
Login to your personal profile page to apply for TC-R membership and start receiving mailings from the TC-R.

Questions:
Please email TC-R Secretary Yewei Zheng.

Do you want to join us?

Membership in the IGS is a valuable investment for anyone interested in the engineering and geosynthetics industry.

Technical Committees News

Spotlight On The IGS Technical Committees: Origins

May 23, 2022

IGS Sustainability Paper Features In Special Edition

April 23, 2021

The Global Database On Geosynthetic Barrier Regulations

December 4, 2020

IGS to Host the 1st GeoBarrier Workshop

May 21, 2018

Join The Discussion!

Visit our Discussion Board to join the conversation with other IGS members.

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Ivan P. Damians

(Spain)

Dr. Ivan P. Damians is an Associate Researcher Professor at the International Centre for Numerical Methods in Engineering (CIMNE®). He serves as a Geotechnical Engineer responsible for Research and Development (R&D) of the VSoL System at VSL International Ltd, which is part of the Bouygues Construction Group. Additionally, he works as an Assistant Professor at the School of Civil Engineering (ETSECCPB) of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya·BarcelonaTech (UPC), teaching courses in Soil Mechanics, Geotechnical Engineering, Geotechnical Projects and Constructions, and Life-Cycle Analysis and Sustainability Assessment for both Bachelor’s and Master’s programs in Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Dr. Damians actively participates in various research projects funded by national and international programs, as well as industry-sponsored initiatives. He is a member of technical committees and professional societies including:

CTN-UNE 140/SC 7, developing standards like EN 1997-3 (Eurocode 7) and 104 (Geosynthetics)
TC218 Reinforced Fill Structures and TC307 Sustainability in Geotechnical Engineering of the ISSMGE
International Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE) and the Sociedad Española de Mecánica de Suelos e Ingeniería Geotécnica (SEMSIG)
Current Secretary of TC-Soil Reinforcement at the IGS.

Dr. Damians is the author of several publications and an active reviewer of international journals in the sectors of soil reinforcement, geosynthetics, sustainability, numerical methods, and behavior of clays as a long-term insulation material for nuclear waste disposal facilities. Moreover, he supervises Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD theses in Geosynthetics at CIMNE/UPC·BarcelonaTech.

Links to online profile & publications:
https://www.cimne.com/sgp/dir/Profile.aspx?id=546
https://futur.upc.edu/IvanPuigDamians
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=EbP-6ZYAAAAJ&hl=en
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0333-7296

Jabulile Msiza

(South Africa)

Over the past two years, I’ve had the honour of serving on the IGS Council alongside some brilliant fellow members whom I now regard as colleagues. Although all my activity has been rewarding, the following particularly standout – serving as vice chair of the Technical Committee on Barriers and Representing Africa and the Middle East as their Regional Activity Chair, particularly at a time GeoAfrica (Cairo) was held and the first named lecture series was announced.

I’m a Civil Engineer, Professionally registered, and specializing in Waste Engineering as a Consultant of the company Jones & Wagener Engineering and Environmental Consultants (J&W). I’m the Head of Department of a dynamic team of engineers, technologists and draughts persons servicing waste management facilities across South Africa and other African regions; I’m also the Chairman of the Board of Directors of J&W.

With over 18 years’ working experience, I’m passionate about design for environmental protection, particularly for waste management facilities, construction of barrier and capping systems, and promoting the understanding and appropriate use of geosynthetic materials. It is a humbling industry in that while many advancements have happened in the past few years, there’s still much to learn as installed systems are tested with time and various exposure conditions.

I’m a member of the Associations: South African Institute of Civil Engineers (SAICE), Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA) Board Member, the South African Chapter of the IGS and the Institute of Waste Management of South Africa. I have been an elected council member of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) for the past four years and eager to continue serving in the future.