Success For IGS Romania's GeoSint Conference

IGS Romania's first GeoSint conference for 18 years attracted nearly 200 participants from 18 countries.

Coinciding with the Chapter's 35-year anniversary, the 4th Romanian Conference on Geosynthetics held last month delivered eight technical sessions, 19 lectures, and keynote talks from IGS President Samuel Allen, Daniele Cazzuffi, Patricia Guerra-Escobar, and Martin Ziegler.

Commemorative events celebrating the Chapter's three decades included 'The history of the use of geosynthetic materials in Romania, reflected in technical publications', written and presented by Chapter President Ernest Olinic, and 'The Romanian Association of Geosynthetics after 35 years of activity' presented by Past President Professor Valentin Feodorov. This focused on the personalities involved in developing the geosynthetics industry in Romania, and ended with a song dedicated to them and those who have contributed to IGS Romania's growth.

The conference also had a technical exhibition with participation from companies from Romania, Turkey, India, China and Hungary.

Mr Olinic was thrilled with the turnout and delegate feedback.

"After 18 years, the biggest challenge in organizing GeoSint was to estimate the number of participants. With no clue on the numbers – and having in mind IGS Romania has around 50 members – our initial target was 100 participants. In the end we were delighted to have almost 180 from around the world, including from Europe, North Africa, Asia and America," he said.

"GeoSint publicity on the IGS website contributed positively to the increase in the number of participants, as well as the four keynote lecturers, especially from IGS President Samuel Allen, for whose participation we are deeply grateful."

Keynote speaker topics were:

• Samuel Allen – 'Determining the sustainability benefits of geosynthetics'.
• Patricia Guerra-Escobar, Andrés León, Daniel Zúñiga – 'Geosynthetics sustainable solutions in the use of marginal fills in reinforced soil structures'.
• Martin Ziegler – 'Interaction mechanisms between soil and geosynthetic reinforcement'.
• Daniele Cazzuffi, Domenico Gioffrè – 'Geosynthetic barriers in embankment dams: new constructions and rehabilitation of existing infrastructures'.

Mr Olinic said the Chapter was aiming to win the bid for EuroGeo9 in 2029, which will coincide with the next edition of the GeoSint conference. If successful, GeoSint will form one of the sessions of the European conference, he said.

The Chapter is also organizing the 4th edition of 'Workshop GeoSint' this fall, an event that has previously attracted around 50 students and 20 specialists.

Past President Prof. Feodorov highlighted the significant impact IGS Romania, known locally as the Romanian Geosynthetics Association (ARG), had made since its formation.

"ARG has made a decisive contribution to the creation of the legal framework for the utilization of geosynthetic materials in Romania by elaborating and helping adopt more than 75 international standards related to geosynthetics, by composing regulations and guidelines for their use. This has made it possible for more than 200 million square meters of geosynthetic materials to be used," he said.

"In this context, the ARG/IGS Romania management's proposal that GeoSint 2029 be held in Bucharest at the same time as EuroGeo 2029 is fully justified."

IGS President Samuel Allen said: "The IGS is driven by strong Chapter leaders like Ernest Olinic. These workshop-oriented events are very strong in their content and value for participants. Smaller groups facilitate maximum interaction and networking while providing excellent geosynthetic education. The IGS congratulates Mr. Olinic and his team on an outstanding event."

Themed 'Celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Romanian Geosynthetics Association', the 4th GeoSint took place in Bucharest on April 3-4, this year, at the University of Technical Engineering Bucharest, at Aula Magna.

Find out more about the Chapter's history and future plans here.

Romanian speakers can also learn more via the IGS Romania website.

Photo Credit: Christian Nistor