Expert Course Geobrugg CONSIS – Operation, Inspection and Maintenance - December 2022

Geobrugg CONSIS - Operation, inspection and maintenance of flexible safety structures against natural hazards 

This 2 ½ day technical course is designed to enable participants to assess structures from the perspective of system designers and manufacturers. This requires a basic knowledge of the function of the individual components and how they act as an overall system. The examination of the components will cover a period of approximately 50 years. This will also allow older, untested and "third-party" structures to be better assessed in order to better evaluate their protective function from today's point of view.

Contents

Basically, we are talking about safety structures made of stranded wire ropes, nets and meshes, steel supports, base plates, braking elements and the associated small parts, i.e. all components that are functionally relevant and necessary to fulfill the protective function. These are flexible systems for protection against rockfall, debris flow, hillslope debris flows and avalanche barriers in the incipient area. The assessment of flexible slope stabilization systems with nets and meshes in combination with soil nailing, as well as possibilities for the assessment of flexible special structures against snow slide, tree fall, etc. are also presented.

However, the course will only cover the superstructure, i.e. all visible components. The assessment possibilities of anchoring, nailing and foundations will also be discussed in order to be able to consider further tests.

Your benefit

CONSIS lays the foundation to better appreciate the components and protective function of the structures.

- You will get an overview of the function of the individual components and how they work as an overall system.

- You will be trained to check how the systems are installed correctly and according to the system manuals.

- You will learn to assess safety structures against natural hazards with regard to their protective effect.

- They can also better assess older, untested safety structures and "third-party structures" and evaluate their protective function from today's perspective.

- In operation, structures are often unobserved for long periods of time. You will get an insight into modern methods of obtaining information about the structure outside of inspections.

- Different methods for inspection, in analog and digital form, are presented.

Target group

- CONSIS is aimed at experts in the field of natural hazards, such as engineers and geologists, as well as planners and builders and the employees of construction companies who work in the field of natural hazards and install such systems.

Participation requirements

- preferably, you have experience in the implementation of flexible protection measures to protect against natural hazards.

- You have a basic understanding of the operation of flexible protection systems against natural hazards, such as rockfall, debris flow, and avalanches, and have experience with flexible slope stabilization systems.

- You are confident in rough terrain. Training on PPEgA (Personal Protective Equipment against falls from a height) or working on a hanging rope - Level 1 or higher, is an advantage.

Completion

After successful completion of the course, a certificate is issued, which can be presented in certain countries as proof of qualification. The course and the certificate CONSIS is personal.

Speakers and method

Our employees and speakers are trained mechanical engineers, technicians, civil engineers and geologists. They have many years of experience in the development and assessment of flexible protection measures, as well as advice on the maintenance for flexible protection structures. In addition to the theoretical basics, the focus is on practical training in our test facility in Walenstadt. Moreover, laboratory tests and their interpretation possibilities are discussed.

Additional advantages

Beyond the course, other exclusive benefits are available to you as a CONSIS course participant:

- You get access to the online area Inspectors CONSIS. Here you will find course materials, assessment aids, assessment options and old manuals as well as technical articles..

- Exclusive webinars for CONSIS certificate holders e.g. training or advanced courses.

- Updating courses: The course is to be renewed every 3 years so that the certificate holders are up to date and trained on further developments in the areas of operation, inspection and maintenance.

The course does not include:

- Hazard assessment

- Risk considerations

- Operational at e.g. road and rail operators

- No "recipe" is given, but the possibilities to assess and evaluate the structures

Registration & Participation Fee

The cost of the course is CHF 3470.- | 3280.- € incl. VAT.

The following services are included in the costs:

- Training and training materials

- 3 nights at Seehof Walenstadt*

- Catering: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

*Also bookable without overnight stay (CHF 3020.- | € 2845)

The number of participants is limited to 15 persons. Please register bindingly for the course by 20.11.2022 at the latest. If necessary, we will keep a waiting list. Please contact us directly.