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Memorial Tributes Volume 25 (2023) / Chapter Skim
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ROBERT M. KOERNER
Pages 266-275

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From page 267...
... DANIEL AND RUDOLPH BONAPARTE R OBERT MICHAEL KOERNER, a guiding force and preeminent leader in civil engineering, died December 1, 2019, at the age of 85. He was born December 2, 1933, in Philadelphia, the son of Michael H
From page 268...
... His first research grant, from the National Science Foundation, was related to deep foundations, but, working with colleagues at Drexel and especially with physicist Art Lord, Bob's interests shifted to emerging fields, including use of acoustic emission sensing techniques. Interest in acoustic emissions to detect phenomena such as cracking in soils, rocks, and concrete was intensifying among entities such as the US Bureau of Reclamation and US Army Corps of Engineers.
From page 269...
... He was inundated with inquiries about this new engineering material. He became immersed in researching and understanding the material that would soon be called "geosynthetics" and the new engineering discipline of "geosynthetics engineering." He taught six American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
From page 270...
... In the early 1980s much of the research was driven by new environmental regulations requiring that waste containment landfills and impoundments be underlain by geomembrane liners. As the engineering of these waste containment facilities became much more sophisticated and detailed, Bob pioneered the use of geosynthetic materials in them for liquid conveyance and drainage, filtration, and structural strengthening.
From page 271...
... Haxo was the leading independent researcher investigating the chemical compatibility of geomembrane liners with the types of chemicals found in hazardous waste landfills and impoundments. EPA realized the importance of sound engineering of the type advocated by Dr.
From page 272...
... The primary application areas of geosynthetics include highways, retaining walls, soil slope reinforcement, landfill and impoundment linings and cover systems, subsurface contaminated groundwater barrier walls, canal linings, erosion control systems, and waterproofing for dams and tunnels. The engineering functions provided are separation, reinforcement, filtration, drainage, and containment.
From page 273...
... The Koerner Family Foundation is a permanent reflection of his commitment to education; it provides generous fellowships to students pursing advanced degrees in engineering.
From page 274...
... It is impossible to imagine Bob without Paula at his side. The two were an inseparable team, equally beloved by all who came to know them.


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