The Second Asia Europe Conference On Geosynthetics

On November 18th ~19, the second Asia Europe Conference on Geosynthetics (EAGS 2019) was held in Beijing. The conference was hosted by China Industrial Textiles Association (CNITA) and the European nonwoven Association (EDANA), supported by the international society of geosynthetics (IGS), International Industrial Textiles Association (IFAI), Tian Ding Feng Holdings Limited, Hong Xiang new material Limited by Share Ltd, Tai'an Luther Engineering Materials Co., Ltd., Hao Ke Technology Co., Ltd., Weifang camel Wang Industrial Co., Ltd. and Shandong Yibo sunshine Engineering Materials Co., Ltd.

Vice president, Li Lingshen, President of China Textile Industry Association, vice chairman of China Textile Industry Federation, Duan Xiaoping, chairman of China Chemical Fiber Industry Association, Li Ping, chairman of China Textile Machinery Industry Development Department, Gu Ping, chairman of China Textile Machinery Association, Liang Pengcheng, vice chairman of textile industry branch of China Council for international trade promotion, Daniele Cazzuffi, former chairman of the international society of geosynthetics, Peter Atchison of the 221 Committee of the international standards organization, Pierre Wiertz, general manager of the European nonwoven Association, Todd Berger, chief economist of the International Association of industrial textiles, Olivier Zieschank, economist of the International Federation of textile manufacturers, and experts and scholars from famous universities and research institutes at home and abroad, and more than 200 ginseng companies of the upstream and downstream industries chain of the geosynthetics industry. Sun Ruizhe, President of China Textile Industry Federation, China Textile Industry Federation

The conference aims to explore the way of sustainable development of geosynthetics and grasp the latest development trend of geosynthetics in the world. Focusing on development opportunities, market analysis, technology research, engineering case analysis, testing standards and methods, the conference invited experts from home and abroad as well as entrepreneurs with years of practical experience to carry out three-dimensional analysis of geosynthetics in the whole industrial chain, including engineering design, raw material performance, product production, equipment, application expansion, engineering services, and so on, creating an academic, technological exchange and business negotiation platform for the industry.

Sweep down irresistibly from a commanding height

Sun Ruizhe, President of the China Federation of textile industry, said that the current Chinese textile industry has formed the world's largest and most complete modern textile industry system, and is entering a new stage of high quality development. Due to its high technology content, wide application scope, strong driving effect and great market potential, industrial textiles are becoming an important economic growth pole and transformation driving force of the Chinese textile industry in the new era. Geotextile textiles are one of the earliest and most mature fields in the development of industrial textiles. With the material innovation, technological innovation and technological innovation, the performance of geotextiles has been continuously enhanced, functions are continuously enriched, and the application fields are constantly expanding, providing strong support for national economic development and infrastructure construction. He pointed out that with the deepening of globalization, the construction of the world's infrastructure is developing rapidly. The demand for geosynthetics in the world has been greatly improved. The market potential is huge, and the future development space is broad.

Focusing on the high quality and win-win development of the geotextile industry, Sun Ruizhe put forward three suggestions: first, strengthen cooperation in scientific and technological innovation, improve the collaborative innovation system, and focus on basic research, key materials, core technology, high-end equipment and key products research and development, strengthen the development of new materials, new technologies and new technologies; speed up the transformation and application of scientific and technological achievements; strengthen the construction and docking of standards system; and jointly promote the transformation of manufacturing technology to intellectualization and greening. Two, we should strengthen the application and innovation cooperation, strengthen the application and innovation of Geotextiles in the field of infrastructure construction, strengthen the convergence of production and demand, enhance the scope and capabilities of services, build a new industrial supply chain, and explore the extension of geotextile textiles to product design, engineering construction, operation monitoring, maintenance and other links, and form a systematic solution. We should strengthen market cooperation, actively cultivate new markets, and explore applications in the fields of ecological protection and offshore oil exploitation. Three, we should strengthen market innovation cooperation, strengthen cooperation in the field of geosynthetics, such as information sharing, technology exchange, market development, exhibition trade, strengthen the protection of intellectual property rights in related fields, and actively promote the circulation of industrial resources, such as quality products, advanced technology, superior capacity, high end services and international brands, and promote the in-depth exchange and cooperation in production, learning, research and application all over the world.

Pierre Wiertz, general manager of the European nonwovens Association, said in her speech that 4 years ago, the European nonwoven Association (EDANA) and the China Industrial Textiles Association (CNITA) decided to jointly organize the Forum on geosynthetics, integrate global culture and industry factor resources, build bridges for Asia, Europe and other regions, build communication and exchange platform for geosynthetics industry, and promote the common development of the industry. At that time, China's "one belt and one road" initiative was put into effect, and cooperation between the two sides could also be seen as part of the "one belt and one road" initiative. Now the world is supporting the development of huge geographical areas with unprecedented infrastructure plans. The demand for geosynthetics will be greater than ever before, not only in most parts of Europe and Asia, but also in the Middle East and Africa. Geosynthetics are indispensable not only in the implementation of infrastructure projects, but also in reducing environmental impacts and helping to cope with climate change. In the future, there will be more cooperation between the Confederation and the European nonwoven Association in terms of standards setting and scientific and technological innovation. In addition, the Asia Europe geosynthetics conference and the international standardization organization geosynthetics committee meeting will be held at the same time, which will play a good role in the standardization construction of the industry.

Industry development strategy

Li Lingshen, vice president of China Textile Industry Federation and President of China Industrial Textiles Association, pointed out in the keynote report of "the present situation and future of China's geotextile industry" that industrial textiles have high technology content, wide application fields, high added value of products and strong industrial mobility, which has become a new growth pole of China's textile industry. In 2018, the total fiber processing of industrial textiles accounted for 28% of the total textile industry, and geotechnical textiles accounted for 6.76% of industrial textiles. Since 2013, the output of Chinese geotechnical textiles has increased by 9.28% annually, reaching 1 million 62 thousand and 400 tons in 2018. At present, there are about 500 geotextile textile enterprises in China, mainly in the production of non-woven geotextiles. In the future, China's geotechnical textiles will maintain an increase of about 7.5%, and the promotion of value will become an important driving force for the growth of China's geotechnical textile industry.

According to Li Lingshen, geotextile textiles were applied in China's water conservancy projects before 80s of the last century, using plastic film, polyethylene film and woven bags as impervious and anti erosion materials. After 80s, modern geosynthetics such as spunbonded, needle punched geotextiles, geotextile bags, drainage belts and geogrids were introduced into key projects. The catastrophic flood in 1998 accelerated the development of China's geotextile industry, and the industry formulated and implemented a batch of standards and technical specifications. Since 2010, the pace of technological innovation in the industry has been accelerated, and the application of all kinds of geotextiles has been widely applied in a large number of key national projects.

In view of the market situation of geotextile textiles, Li Lingshen pointed out that the focus of China's infrastructure construction in the future will be concentrated in the central and western regions. The geological environment in these areas is complex and vast, and the performance requirements of geo materials are higher and demand is greater. In addition, China is a big country in foreign project contracting. It is estimated that the demand for geotechnical materials from overseas projects undertaken by Chinese companies exceeds US $1 billion 500 million. In view of the standardization system of geosynthetics, he introduced 39 national standards in the field of geotechnical engineering, mainly in the field of textiles. Nearly 50 industry standards, involving textile, water conservancy, transportation, railways, urban construction and other fields, basically met the needs of production, application, testing and evaluation of geosynthetics in China. As for the progress of science and technology, he made a detailed introduction from the aspects of raw materials development, product quality improvement, technological innovation and application expansion of geotechnical textiles.

Finally, Li Ling Shen concluded that the breakthroughs and applications of new materials and technologies will promote the development of geotextile textiles and form more revolutionary alternatives. Continuous large-scale infrastructure construction is an important guarantee for the steady development of China's geotechnical textile industry; the investment in infrastructure along the "one belt and one road" will become the growth point of China's geotechnical textiles; the standard system and application standards of the industry will be more perfect, and the concentration of the industry will be improved, and the development of the industry will be healthy and sustainable.

Daniele Cazzuffi, former chairman of the international society of geosynthetics, is the keynote speech on the 60 year history and Prospect of geosynthetics applied to dam projects. He reviewed the successful application of geosynthetics in dam engineering for 60 years, and analyzed and prospected the future application prospects. He highlighted the barrier function and filtration function of geosynthetics in dam engineering. Geomembrane, as a barrier, was first applied to the ContradaSabetta dam in Italy in 1959. Geotextiles were used as filters in 1970 for the first time in France. For barrier functions, Daniele Cazzuffi lists examples of new dams, existing dams and early dams constructed or repaired using geosynthetics in the 50~70 age of twentieth Century. This function is introduced in general. For filtering function, it is mainly aimed at the first application in France in 1970. In this application, needle punched nonwoven geotextiles are combined with granular layer to play a filtration role in dams. He also analyzed the use of geosynthetics as barriers in different types of dams (earth and rockfill dams, concrete and brick dams, RCC dams), and introduced how to choose geosynthetics in terms of specific engineering properties, including impervious and durability.

Zhou Nanshan, former chairman of the Chinese geomembrane Materials Association and professor of National Taiwan University, in the theme report of the "green sustainable development of geosynthetics", adopted a large number of examples, including geogrids for reinforcing walls, Geotextiles for controlling erosion, geocell for controlling erosion and drainage, geotextile pipes for water treatment and other Geo materials for sponge city (or LID). The sustainable application of geosynthetics was described, and the application effect of geosynthetics was evaluated by using sustainable engineering indicators. "Zhou Nanshan" He evaluated geosynthetics in terms of risk mitigation, ecology, carbon emission reduction, energy saving, waste reduction, durability, efficiency / function, landscape and creativity, etc. as "very good" or "excellent". Compared with traditional engineering technology, geosynthetics proved to be very sustainable in civil engineering, water conservancy and environment.

Todd Berger, editor in chief of the Journal of geosynthetics, brought the report entitled "policy support, education and technical support to promote the development of geosynthetics industry in the United States". He analyzed the development of geosynthetics industry in North America. Geotextiles and geomembranes have a huge market in North America. At present, there are 40~50 manufacturers in North America. In 2019, the geosynthetics market in North America was US $2 billion 800 million, an increase of 4~5% compared with 2018. The development of the industry is influenced by federal legislation and oil prices. In addition, he explained how the International Industrial Textiles Association could provide engineering support, policy support and business development opportunities for the American geotechnical composite materials through education, training and government communication.

Engineering design and Application

The afternoon session focused on the engineering design and application of geosynthetics.

Erol Guler, director of the international society of geosynthetics and professor of Turkey Strait University, is the keynote report of the "innovative application of geosynthetics". He introduced the types and main functions of geosynthetics, and then analyzed the various functions of the materials through specific cases. Erol Guler focuses on several innovative solutions for geosynthetic reinforcement materials. If they are not used, these solutions will not be realized; the effective solutions and latest research results achieved by Geosynthetics under seismic loading conditions are shared; the application advantages of geosynthetics barrier function are given; and the latest technology in the industry is introduced, taking the columns of geosynthetics as an example. In addition, he also shared the specific application cases of reducing carbon dioxide emissions from geosynthetics, and realized the green and sustainable development of the industry through the application of geosynthetics.

Matthias Maisner, an engineer of the BAW, brings the report on the performance and environmental impact of Geosynthetics for filtration. He introduced that geotextile filters in waterways were always in contact with soil, groundwater and surface water, and each fiber could affect the leaching performance. Improper use of geotextiles may lead to the formation of micro plastic. In order to test and evaluate the release of dangerous substances into soil and water, a dynamic surface leaching test method (DSLT) has been developed. As leaching occurs in all surface areas that are in contact with the eluent (water), the internal surface of geotextiles must be considered to evaluate the test results of DSLT. The release of micro plastics is an important factor affecting the environment. The EU proposes that environmental protection is a long-term indicator for testing the performance of geosynthetics. ISO TC 221 WG3 uses the wear test method, which can simulate the wear condition of geotextiles under wet conditions and determine the release of micro plastic materials.

Li Junqi, Professor of Beijing Architecture University and director of the Key Laboratory of the urban stormwater system and Water Environment Ministry of education, made the report entitled "Application of Geotextiles in rainwater control and utilization facilities and systems". He introduced the connotation, technical system, pilot distribution and overall progress of sponge city in China. The core of the sponge city construction is "low impact development". Through the way of ecosystem protection and restoration, we build micro drainage, small drainage and large drainage system to achieve the goals of water safety, water environment, water resources and water ecology. In 2015 and 2016, the state announced 16 and 14 sponge city construction pilot lists respectively. In the past two years, the pilot cities will be checked and accepted, and strive to reach 80% of the urban built-up area in 2030. Geotextiles play an important role in the construction of sponge city. Through analyzing the application of Geotextiles in typical green rainwater infrastructure, he points out the problems of blockage, aging and pollution in application, and puts forward some countermeasures and suggestions. In addition, he prospected the innovative application of Geotextiles in urban stormwater management system.

Nicola Brusa, a British independent civil engineering consultant, pointed out in his report on the control of modulus piles and high strength geosynthetics reinforced embankments. At present, the United Kingdom proposed a ground improvement method for controlling modulus pile (CMCs) as a soft soil embankment. The stability of embankment on soft soil depends on the ground improvement directly below it. CMCs must have enough strength and stiffness to prevent embankment damage and excessive settlement. The report also shows the challenges facing the design stage in considering the appropriate stiffness and choosing the right product grades. It is important to note that there is no uniform design method for the control of modulus piles. In addition, he introduced the results of some case studies.

Wang Tao, deputy director of the Institute of metal and chemical research, China Academy of Railway Sciences, introduced the application of geotextile textile materials in railway engineering. In combination with specific cases, he detailed the nonwoven and fiber materials involved in the construction of high-speed railway in China, including CRTS1 slab ballastless track filling layer, cement emulsified asphalt mortar fiber and nonwoven filling bag, nonwoven fabric for tunnel composite lining and non-woven fabric for subgrade, etc., and related materials have played an important role in the construction of high speed railway in China.

Robert Lozano, senior civil engineer of Reinforced Earth, has shared the application of special backfill in reinforced soil materials. Through case studies, he expounded the types and properties of innovative backfill materials, the factors that need to be considered in practical engineering applications, and how to improve the service life of final composite products by combined optimization design. At present, many marginal soils, recycled materials and artificial materials are used as backfill materials in civil engineering construction. The combination of metal materials or geosynthetics with these innovative backfill materials has been successfully applied to reinforced earth structure engineering. A better composite layer can be formed by selecting better backfill and geosynthetics or metal material reinforcement layer, which can effectively enhance the service life of composite products.

The conference adopts the form of exhibition synchronization. Tian Ding Feng, Weifang camel king, Shandong Yibo sunshine, Bo Lu Wei, Shandong Zhongyi, Feicheng friendship, Wujin Guangyu, orrican, Fairui, Changshu maukang and many other famous geosynthetics industry chain enterprises at home and abroad display their latest products, attracting a large number of participants to visit and exchange.

At tomorrow's meeting, experts and entrepreneurs from the UK, China, Italy, Korea, Germany and other countries will also share and exchange the technology research and case studies of geosynthetics.