TECHNICAL ACTIVITIES MARY ELLEN BRUCE LARGE, P.E., D.GE, TECHNICAL ACTIVITIES MANAGER Technical Activities Update University at Buffalo; Ramón Gilsanz, founding partner of GMS and director of EERI-NYNE chapter; and Dr. Aspa Zerva, professor at Drexel University, lead member of the NSF program ENHANCE for careers of women in earthquake engineering, and director of EERI-NYNE chapter. The panel was moderated by Dr. Sissy Nikolaou, P.E., WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff, director of EERI and president of EERI-NYNE chapter; and Helen Robinson, P.E., Schnabel Engineering, chair of DFI Women in Deep Foundations Technical Committee. A networking reception allowed for introductions and early Organizers and Panelists: Helen Robinson, Victoria Dengel, Theresa Engler, Liesl Folks, Ramón Gilsanz, Mary-Jane Augustine, Aspa Zerva and Sissy Nikolaou Professional Women in the World of Construction The DFI Women in Deep Foundations (WiDF) Committee and the New York-Northeast Chapter of the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute ( EERI-NYNE), held a reception and panel discussion on Professional Women in the World of Construction on March 10 at the General Society Library of Mechanics and Tradesmen in New York City. Approximately 100 people attended the event, which featured four panelists with a diverse background in the world of construction ranging from law to academia to practice, each with a significant successful career and many stories to share. The panelists were Mary-Jane Augustine, partner of construction law at McCarter-English; Dr. Liesl Folks, dean of engineering of the COMMITTEE CHAIR GARY SEIDER, P.E. Helical Piles and Tiebacks Committee The Helical Piles and Tiebacks Committee continues to be active, working on several projects directed toward advancing the practice and understanding of helical piles and tiebacks. Committee members Kyle Olsen and Dr. Howard Perko worked actively with the DFI Codes and Standards Committee and the Geo-Coalition Code Council to develop proposed revisions to IBC2018. The revisions were submitted to ICC in early 2016. There were a total of 75 changes submitted by the group. Four of the proposed revisions are related to helical piles. Work continues to further these proposals, and more information will be presented in future issues of Deep Foundations magazine. The next committee-led seminar is scheduled for August 10-12, 2016, in Ontario, Calif. This event will overview the proper design, application and installation of helical piles and tiebacks in seismic and lateral load conditions. The committee is holding a meeting on the pre-seminar day, August 10. Design, materials, construction and testing procedures will be presented on August 11, followed by a demon- stration of installation and testing of helical piles at JRW Foundation Systems in Redlands, Calif., on August 12. The Helical Pile Design Guide rough draft is complete. Working Group Chair Wayne Thompson is seeking pictures and exhibits for inclusion in the document. If you are interested in contributing photos, drawings or images, please contact Wayne at [email protected] . The draft is being finalized for committee review this summer. DEEP FOUNDATIONS • JULY/AUG 2016 • 91 discussions among the participants, speakers and representatives of organizations. A lively one-hour panel conversation followed with five main questions that each panelist addressed related to professional women in the world of construction. “The number of people, societies involved and the interest and passion that this event generated showed the need for similar events nationwide,” said Dr. Sissy Nikolaou. “Hearing from other experienced women and men on their key to success and how they have overcome difficult professional and personal times, makes the path of young women in the field easier and more approachable as they can be mentored and look up to others. It is also apparent that men need to attend such events, as employing and retaining female professionals in this field is beneficial to involved professions and to our society at large.” Thank You to the Sponsors: • Gilsanz Murray Steficek LLP (GMS) • Hinman Consulting Engineers • Langan Engineering
