Kota Kinabalu: The Institution of Engineers Malaysia (IEM) Sabah Branch held a one-day seminar on Building Sustainable and Durable Roads with Geosynthetics at Hilton Kota Kinabalu, attracting strong participation from both public and private sectors.
Expert speakers from Megas Geosolution Sdn Bhd and Tensar – including Associate Professor Dr. Raghunandan (Monash University), Dr Ngo Huy Dong, Ir. Lau Joe Jiunn, and Tee Rui Jian – shared case studies and practical methods showing how properly specified geosynthetics can separate, reinforce, drain, and protect pavement structures, particularly over Sabah’s weak or peaty subgrades.
The programme covered a 40-year legacy of ground engineering, climate impacts on pavements, sustainable road-building practices, design of pavement foundations on soft ground, a software tutorial, and reinforced asphalt systems to mitigate distress.
Participants were shown a live demonstration of the Tensar+ design software, which compared alternatives and showed how geogrids can extend road life while lowering construction time, costs and carbon emissions during the event.
IEM Sabah Vice Chairman II, Ir Paul Yap, thanked the speakers from Megas Geosolution and Tensar for travelling to Sabah and acknowledged the support of partners and engineer participants.
“Conventional road design in Sabah should deliberately integrate geosynthetics to enhance sustainability, durability, and cost-effectiveness – especially under our Sabah intense rainfall and climate pressures.
“With continued collaboration, today’s insights will translate into longer-lasting, rain-ready kilometres across our strategic road links, including the ongoing Pan Borneo Highway project,” he said.
