DFI-USACE Collaborate on Dam, Levee Safety DFI and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) Risk Management Center (RMC) organized a workshop in Deerfield Beach, Fla., in December on seepage control prac- tices for protecting dams and levees. The workshop was prompted by the USACE’s efforts to develop an engineering manual on cut-off technologies. While technical knowledge is critical to successful projects, representatives from the USACE believe the “best jobs” have been those on which the USACE and the contractor adopted a team attitude. DFI trustee, Gianfranco DiCicco, in discussion with the USACE, suggested developing a collaborative forum with DFI members to address the state of cut-off practices aimed at mutual understanding of goals, technologies, appropriate specification models, responsible contracting and procurement processes, and effective QA/QC procedures that will encourage future collaborative pursuit of quality projects. The workshop organization was spearheaded by USACE RMC lead civil engineer, Dave Paul. DFI contractor members collaborated to develop and present industry consensus overviews for element walls (panel and secant pile walls), continuous walls (slurry walls), ground improvement (deep mixing and jet grouting) and grout curtains. These presentations covered specific details related to construction including materials, applicable ground conditions, maximum depth, design (methodologies, research needs), benefits, challenges (execution issues, research needs), QA/QC practices, and specifications (requirements causing issues, specific sections to be examined in depth). Kathy Lust, USACE resident engineer for Wolf Creek Dam, offered an overview of innovative contracting practices applicable to cut-off technologies. A cross section of USACE employees parti- cipated, and representatives from the Bureau of Reclamation and National Resource Conservation Service attended to promote consensus throughout the dam industry. The USACE and contractor members outlined their goals for cut-off projects, including safety, quality, cost, schedule, publ ic percept ion, effect ive and appropriate use of technologies, and contractor qualifications. DFI leaders then facilitated breakout sessions to identify methods, QA/QC practices, research needs, and contracting and procurement practices that would allow these goals to be met. Future workshops will be held to continue the discussions. The USACE projected a first draft of the manual by March 2012, and it was expected to cover design and construction of seepage cut-off barriers constructed using element and continuous wall tech- niques, deep mixing, jet grouting and grout curtains. Input from DFI Technical Com- mittees may be invited to provide a multi- disciplinary, industry-wide, consensus perspective to the manual development. The USACE is also finalizing an engineering manual on grouting, which began development in 2007. The grouting manual content is expected to be extensive (over 650 pages in length). The USACE is also proposing to organize with the U.S. Society on Dams, the International Commission on Large Dams, and DFI a 2-day international symposium on cut-off wall technology in 2013. Please contact Mary Ellen Bruce, DFI technical activities manager, at [email protected], for more information. DFI is working with the Brazilian Association of Foundation and Geotechnical Engineering Companies (ABEF) and ABMS (Brazilian Geotechnical Society) to organize the 7th Seminar on Special Foundations Engineering and Geotechnics (SEFE7) and the 1st Foundation and Geotechnics Industry Show June 17-20, 2012 in São Paulo, Brazil. The program highlights international practice on a range of deep foundations topics. Several DFI members will be making presentations and serving on panel discussions. Brazilian geotechnical engineering practice will be described in presentations by experienced professionals. David Sherwood will present the Inaugural Lecture on aspects of recent advances and challenges on foundation engineering. Most all of the exhibit space is sold out, and the local organizers are expecting participation by 700 attendees. DFI, Brazilian Joint Conference in São Paulo in June The event will include 3 days of technical presentations presented in both English and Portuguese, with simultaneous translations. Presenta- tions will cover foundations for build- ings, ports, bridges and special struc- tures; deep excavations and earth retention structures for urban works; instrumentation and testing; foun- dation practices and risk associated with deep foundation construction in environmentally contaminated areas; and ground improvement techniques. Information on registration, venue and sponsorship opportunities are outlined at www.sefe7.com.br. 7th Seminar on Special Foundations Engineering and Geotechnics (SEFE7) and the 1st Foundation and Geotechnics Industry Show June 17-20, 2012 DEEP FOUNDATIONS • MAR/APR 2012 • 17
