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Various aspects of geosynthetic durability are addressed in this (one-hour) course in order to develop procedures that could be used to predict long-term strength losses of geosynthetics used in highway applications. This information is essential to designers for allowing tensile capacity for geosynthetics used primarily in mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) retaining walls, reinforced soil slopes, and foundation stabilization.

The study was conducted in stages, each stage building on the knowledge previously gained. The main objectives addressed were to: (1) develop testing protocols necessary to quantify any strength reduction due to aging or stress (stress cracking only) mechanisms for polymeric reinforcement materials (geosynthetics), and (2) develop testing protocols for confined stress-strain testing, which could more accurately characterize key engineering properties. The results of the experimental tasks are discussed on the following pages.

This course is based entirely on publication FHWA-RD-01-050 Durability of Geosynthetics for Highway Applications, which includes a summary of four previously published reports on this topic.

The student must take a multiple-choice quiz consisting of ten (10) questions at the end of the course to obtain PDH credits.

State Board Acceptance

This course can be used by professional engineers to fulfill PDH requirements mandated by state and provincial licensing boards. Decatur Professional Development is an approved provider of continuing education in all states that pre-approve course providers. In all other states that mandate continuing education for engineers, it is the individual engineer's responsibility to determine the suitability of activities for PDH credit. The state boards typically accept online* courses that cover technical, managerial** or ethical content and which are relevant to the practice of engineering. The course must have a clear purpose or objective with a content that will maintain, improve or expand the skills and knowledge of the licensee's field of practice. For questions about your mandatory PDH requirements, visit the website of your state licensing board.

*Online courses are accepted by all state licensing boards that mandate continuing education. Other than New York (which limits online courses to 18 PDH) and Iowa (which limits online courses to 6 PDH), there are no limits placed by other states on the number of hours that can be earned through online continuing education. Consult with your state licensing board if you have any questions about the acceptability of online courses.

**The New York State Board of Engineers does not accept general office management courses, but will accept project management courses that are offered by an approved provider and that are technical in nature and contribute to the engineer's professional practice.

Please Note: Continuing Education credits for this course are awarded as PDH (Professional Development Hour Credits).