TECHNICAL ACTIVITIES MARY ELLEN BRUCE LARGE, P.E., D.GE, TECHNICAL ACTIVITIES MANAGER Technical Activities Update DFI Technical Committees and Working Groups – Always Something New Happening annual committee meetings at DFI’s 41 Annual Conference in New York City in October. Hundreds of DFI committee and working group members gathered on committee meeting day to discuss the many and varied projects aimed at furthering the advancement and DFI’s 18 technical committees and 3 working groups held their st understanding of deep foundations. The enthusiasm was high as successes were praised and new challenges proposed. Following are each committee’s accomplishments and future plans. Join us at future committee meetings as there’s always something new happening that surely will interest you to become more involved. Augered Cast-in-Place Pile Committee Chair: Morgan NeSmith, P.E., Berkel and Company Contractors, [email protected] Trustee Liaison: Matthew Meyer, P.E., Langan Engineering and Environmental Services, [email protected] • Updated the ACIP Pile Manual, a commentary with guidance for preparing project specifications for ACIP Piles – now available for purchase on the DFI website. • Organized the ACIP and DD Pile Seminar in November in Newport Beach, Calif. • Conducting a research project in conjunction with Florida DOT and Dr. Grey Mullins from the University of South Florida regarding the installation, monitoring and performance of ACIP piles for inclusion in FL DOT Specifications. Expect project completion by the end of 2016. • Evaluating options for further research in 2017. Codes and Standards Committee Chair: Lori Simpson, P.E., G.E., Langan Treadwell Rollo, [email protected] Trustee Liaison: Michael Wysockey, Ph.D., P.E., Thatcher Engineering Corporation, [email protected] • Leading an effort to rewrite Chapter 18 on Foundations of the International Building Code (2018 version) through the GeoCoalition Code Council (including active members from ASCE, Geo-Institute, GBA, ADSC, and strong involvement by PDCA. • Revisions were submitted in January 2016. Several committee members attended the public code hearings in April 2016 to speak in favor of the changes. • The committee has resubmitted some of the changes that were not approved through the public comment process. Dale Biggers, P.E., rep from PDCA, and Dan Stevenson, P.E., vice chair of the committee, recently attended the Public Comment hearings to speak in favor of the resubmittals. Deep Foundations for Landslides and Slope Stabilization Chair: Chris Ramsey, P.E., Amec Foster Wheeler Environmental & Infrastructure, [email protected] (Immediate Past Chair: Vernon Schaefer, Ph.D., P.E., Iowa State University, [email protected]) Trustee Liaison: Erik Loehr, Ph.D., P.E., University of Missouri Columbia, [email protected] • Developing a dedicated DFI Journal issue on pile stabilized slopes covering analysis and design issues, construction issues and performance through case history papers. • The committee reviewed requirements in some jurisdictions that require structural engineers to design earth retaining systems. The committee supported the Oak Brook Accords, between the ASCE Geo-Institute and the Structural Engineering Institute, which indicated agreement that design of geo-structures may involve structural, geotechnical and/or civil engineers and should not be subject to designated thresholds contemplated for S.E. licensure. DEEP FOUNDATIONS • NOV/DEC 2016 • 111
