Dubai Dewatering Seminar Held A seminar on Dewatering within the Gulf Cooperative Council was organized by DFI Middle East and North Africa (DFI MENA) and American University in Dubai (AUD) in November at the university. The event was a notable success with over 120 professionals attending, representing all disciplines of the geotechnical engineering industry. The seminar was divided into two sessions: the morning session included four technical presentations and the afternoon session featured panel discussions. Dr. Khaldoun Fahoum, chair of DFI MENA, chaired the seminar and Salah Al Dilimi, treasurer of DFI MENA, facilitated the sessions. The opening speech by Dr. Khaldoun included a tribute to the late Mamdouh Nasr, former chair of the DFI MENA, followed by a brief presentation on DFI. Dr. Alaa Ashmawy, Dean of the Engineering College at AUD, talked about AUD’s contribution and commitment in supporting such events. Presentations Included: • Dr. Gary Holmes, engineering manager, WJ Groundwater, was the keynote speaker, and described different types of dewatering techniques, legislation in the U.K. and a case study in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). • Dr. Bashar Taha, Road and Transport Authority, Dubai, touched on the current legislation and code of practice within the auth- ority. He also addressed the procedure to obtain “No Objection Certificates” for any activities within the rail right of way. • Mike Hillman, senior principal engineer, Coffey Geotechnics Ltd., presented a case study and some practical issues concern- ing dewatering in UAE and the Gulf region. • Finally, Dr. Ahmed Al Mufty, technical manager, Al Habtoor Engineering and STFA Group in UAE, presented the relationships between different parties, and the challenges associated with such relationships. Such parties include the various organizations involved in construction, including government/permitting bodies, designers/engineers, general contractors and dewatering contractors. The afternoon panel discussion, moderated by Dr. Fahoum, included panelists Dr. Gary Holmes, Dr. Bashar Taha, Mr. Salah Al Dilimi (RTA), Emad Sherif (ACES-Dubai) and Imran Motara (WSP). All issues related to dewatering were addressed including both technical and contractual, and an agreement was made to create a working group to develop dewatering guidelines to be provided to various municipalities, engineering and contracting communities. The seminar was supported by Gold Sponsors WJ Groundwater Ltd. and Zetas Zemin Teknolojisi. Also, Hoelscher Middle East Water & Infrastructure LLC was the event’s silver sponsor. Participants in the Dewatering Seminar that was held in Dubai in November 26 • DEEP FOUNDATIONS • JAN/FEB 2013
