Prof. Zornberg has over 35 years of experience in practice and research in geotechnical and geosynthetics engineering. His research focuses on transportation geotechnics, environmental geotechnics, geosynthetics, unsaturated soils, and expansive clays. As an engineering consultant, he has been an expert witness in litigation and forensic geotechnical cases. From 2010 to 2014, Prof. Zornberg served as president of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS). He has authored over 550 technical publications, written several book chapters, and been awarded three patents. Prof. Zornberg received numerous prestigious awards, including the Ralph B. Peck Award, Croes Medal, and Collingwood Prize from ASCE; the Mercer Lecture Award from ISSMGE and IGS; and the IGS Service Award, IGS Award, and Young IGS Member Award from the IGS. He also received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) from President George W. Bush. In 2019, the IGS established the “Zornberg Lecture,” an honorary lecture recognizing his contributions to the geosynthetics discipline.
Even though geosynthetics are now a well-established discipline within geotechnical engineering, ingenuity remains significant in many projects involving their use. This is probably because of the ability to tailor the mechanical and hydraulic properties of geosynthetics in a controlled manner to address design needs in all areas of geotechnical engineering. This presentation focuses on specific geosynthetics advances in a wide range of geotechnical projects. Specifically, this presentation addresses the creative use of geosynthetics in designing earth dams, resistive barriers, unsaturated soil covers, veneer slopes, hydraulic systems, deep foundations, bridge abutments, retaining walls, embankments, and roadways.