TECHNICAL ACTIVITIES TECHNICAL ACTIVITIES MANAGER MARY ELLEN BRUCE LARGE, P.E., D.GE Technical Activities Update meetings and new activities throughout the DFI 40 Annual Conference in Oakland, Calif. Hundreds of DFI committee and working group members gathered on committee meeting day in four concurrent meetings in five time slots. The committees and working groups collectively work on over 100 projects aimed at furthering the advancement and understanding of deep foundations. From planning seminars to writing guidance documents to addressing research needs, DFI committees play an active role in positively influencing and impacting the industry. The face-to-face interaction at the annual conference rekindles enthusiasm and motivates committee members to continue to maintain momentum and project goals throughout the year. Although encouraged every year, this year, we were especially pleased that members from DFI’s newly created Women in Deep Foundations (WiDF) Committee took a more active role in the committee meetings. More women participated than ever before in meeting day activities, which culminated in the inaugural WiDF networking reception. About 100 attendees joined us in this first event aimed at providing networking opportunities for women and men. Committee Chair Helen Robinson of Schnabel Engineering outlined the goals and activities of the committee, announced the award of the first Professional Development Grant to Courtney Vissman of Golder Associates, and facilitated the successful “speed networking” event. The WiDF invites all DFI members who are inter- ested in discussing and organizing activities that support all women in the deep foundations industry to join. WiDF is a committee for women as opposed to a committee of women. We need involvement by both men and women to affect the positive change that will allow us to retain effective, promising women in our profession. On Tuesday, October 13, our new Manufacturers, Suppliers and Service Providers (MSSP) Committee presented its first “expo” session, with a business-related presentation on best electronic communi- cations practices for suppliers and manufacturers of construction materials and five brief commercial presentations on industry services and products. This expressly commercial session was the first of its kind to be offered by DFI in its 40-year history. The number of session attendees attested to the level of interest and support for this type of alternative technical presentation at the annual conference. Our thanks go to the MSSP Committee leaders Mark Bryant of MacLean Civil Products, Herb Engler of Penn State Fabricators and Dan MacLean of Con-Tech Systems for organizing this session. As DFI vice president, responsible for technical committee activities, Dan Brown of Dan Brown and Associates addressed the membership at the Business Meeting Luncheon to thank com- mittee members and briefly overview a few of the many committee projects. A detailed listing of all committee activities follows. DFI’s 18 Technical Committees and 3 Working Groups organized th All members are encouraged to join a technical committee and add your voice to the discussion. Committee webpages are con- tinually updated to highlight news, resources, committee chair reports and member rosters. Please contact me at [email protected] if you would like to explore ways that you can become more involved in DFI activities that meet your professional interests and corporate goals. New ideas, suggestions and comments are always welcome. Augered Cast-in-Place Pile Committee Chair: Morgan NeSmith, P.E. Berkel & Company Contractors [email protected] Trustee Liaison: Matthew Meyer, P.E. Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, [email protected] • Updating the ACIP Pile Manual, a commentary with guidance for preparing project specifications for ACIP Piles • Provided half-day short course presented for the University of Minnesota (February 2015) • Participated in 2015 FHWA/NHI Virtual World at IFCEE 2015 in San Antonio, Texas – virtual panel discussion for State DOT virtual attendees to increase awareness and use of ACIP piles on transportation projects • Developing research proposals to demonstrate the suitability of ACIP pile installation, monitoring, and performance and integrity testing procedures, particularly as they pertain to transportation projects Codes and Standards Committee Chair: Lori Simpson, P.E., G.E. Langan Treadwell Rollo [email protected] Trustee Liaison: Rudy Frizzi, P.E. Langan Treadwell Rollo [email protected] • Leading effort to rewrite Chapter 18 Foundations of the International Building Code (2018 version) through the GeoCoalition Code Council (including active members from ASCE, GeoInstitute, GBA, ADSC, and strong involvement by PDCA on Chapter 18.10.) • Several review groups working diligently on revisions to be submitted January 2016 DEEP FOUNDATIONS • NOV/DEC 2015 • 105
