Panel Discussion – Current Status and Future Directions of Enhanced (Polymerized) Bentonites for Chemical Containment Barriers
Organizer
Charles Shackelford
Professor, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Colorado State University, USA
charles.shackelford@colostate.edu
Panelists
T. Abichou, Florida State University, USA
G. Di Emidio, Ghent University, Belgium
N. Guarena, Politecnico di Torino, Italy
J. Scalia, Colorado State University, USA
Session Description
The topic of this discussion session is and has been an active area of research for about a decade now, but there are still several remaining outstanding issues and some controversy on the relevant mechanisms controlling hydraulic behavior and polymer retention/elution. An understanding of these controlling mechanisms is key for the informed and safe use of these products by engineering practitioners. Thus, a discussion session establishing the SOA and future directions is appropriate both at this time and for this venue. The panelists will include noted international experts in the area, including Dr. Tarek Abichou of Florida State University and Florida A&M University (USA), Dr. Gemmina di Emidio of Ghent University (Belgium), Dr. Nicolo Guarena of the Politecnico di Torino (Italy), and Dr. Joe Scalia of Colorado State University (USA). Prof. Shackelford will serve as the moderator for the session.