EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR UPDATE Soldiering on with Enthusiasm Change and growth are an inevitable part of living — but they are no easier because they are a fact of life! Whether the challenge is adjusting to new office space as DFI staff has had to do recently, or adjusting to the exciting reality of a growing membership and the challenge of managing numbers, or DFI’s foray into different countries and the challenges of culture and language, we take a deep breath and soldier on with enthusiasm! Recent changes for DFI include those mentioned above as well as: • An alliance with the International Society for Micropiles and ADSC (reported in the Jan/Feb issue). Our organizations are orchestrating the ISM’s 11th International Workshop in Milan, Italy this October. • Collaboration with the United States Army Corps of Engineers (see page 17). • Introducing a DFI session at the Off- shore Technology Conference this April titled Geotechnical Technology Trans- fer from Onshore and Near Shore Prac- tices, organized by our Marine Foundations Committee. • Increasing our magazine issues to six per year. We hope you are enjoying the more frequent news of DFI acti- vities and the deep foun- dations industry. Growth, change, success! That’s the goal. I found Jim’s president’s message in this issue interesting with regard to his experience in India and the trepidation of those there as to whether or not DFI India would be a benefit or a conflict. I’m happy to hear that the result of the discussion with the India Geotechnical Society (IGS) was positive and collaborative. We found similar concerns when DFI Europe began. The world may be flat — Thomas Friedman makes a good case for it — and yes, the technology exists to connect people in real time. But in the physical world there are borders and distinct cultures within them…and we are still learning to accept that “similar but different” is not “different but uniform.” Theresa Rappaport Executive Director [email protected] “This is how we do it” can only be a sugges- tion. Adapting to how the “other” does it is the challenge! The subjective reaction to differences and the objective reaction have to meet in some compromise, so that every voice FEELS heard and IS heard. As we continue to expand into new and exciting places, as well as related indus- tries, please give us your feedback on what is working and what is not. As a member you have a voice and we want to hear it. DFI - Technical Session at the Offshore Technology Conference The Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) is the world’s foremost event for the development of offshore resources in the fields of drilling, exploration, production, and environmental protection. At OTC2012, being held April 30 – May 3, 2012 in Houston, Texas, DFI is presenting a session titled, Geotechnical Technology Transfer From Onshore and Near Shore Practices, being chaired by Philippe Jeanjean, BP America, on April 30. Topics and speakers include the following: Identifying Some Knowledge Gaps in Marine Foundation Practice: A Design and Construction Perspective – R. Stevens, Fugro- McClelland Marine Geosciences; G.T. Houlahan, P. Doherty, Moffatt & Nichol International Dynamic Soil-Pile-Structure Interaction of Pile Supported LNG Tank – D. Chang, N. O’Riordan, M. Willford, J. Powell, Arup Energy Improved Procedures for the Modeling of Pile Groups in Nonlinear Seismic Response History Analysis – Y. Huang, D. Chang, M. Willford, N. O’Riordan, D. Chang, Arup Energy Theoretical and Experimental Investigation on Underwater Ground Anchors – M. Lenzi, P. Campana, Studio Campana; L. Sciacca, F. Valmori, Sapir Engineering; F. Maletti, Ravenna Port Authority; C. Melegari, Tecniwell Assessment of Liquefaction Induced Hazards for Immersed Struc- tures – T. Travasarou, J. Chacko, W. Chen, Fugro Consultants Construction From Shore to Ship – P. Bermingham, Bermingham Foundation Solution The Effect of Grain Shape on Pile Capacity in Sand – R. Stevens, Fugro-McClelland Marine Geosciences For more information about the conference visit http://www.otcnet.org/2012/index.php DEEP FOUNDATIONS • MAR/APR 2012 • 7
