DFI ACTIVITIES DFI’s 43 Annual Conference: A Top Notch Event rd As the summer weather has turned to the chillier temperatures of the fall season, warmth and a full agenda for DFI’s 43 Annual Conference on Deep Foundations from October 23 to 27. More than 1,000 professionals from around the world and across all related disciplines participated in a range of conference and networking activities spanning five days at the Hilton Anaheim Hotel in Anaheim, Calif. Anne Lemnitzer, Ph.D., P.E., University attendees were welcomed with sunshine, rd of California Irvine (UCI), chaired the conference, and was supported by Program Co-chairs Reza Mortezaie, Caltrans, and Rick Theresa Engler, Reza Mortezaie, Anne Lemnitzer and Rick Walsh Walsh, P.E., G.E., Hayward Baker, and Com- mittee Secretary Lohrasb Keykhosropour, UCI. In addition, there were 18 session chairs and 37 volunteers comprising the organizing committee, who along with DFI staff , developed and delivered an exceptional and jam-packed program of lectures, technical presentations, network- ing events and other social activities. DFI gratefully acknowledges the organizing committee’s and the paper reviewers’ efforts and commitment to the success and quality of the conference and its technical content. Anoosh Shamsabadi discusses the California High-Speed Rail Project. Keynotes and Lectures Keynote lectures were delivered in plenary sessions, which were followed by presentations in parallel sessions during the two and a half days of the technical program. Industry members delivered presentations on case histories, research, design and quality assurance. On Thursday, October 25, Tim Angers, staff engineer-structural of Disneyland Resort, delivered the opening keynote lecture t i t led “Disneyland’s Deep Foundations,” which provided some unique perspectives and background information about the park’s development and installations. Anoosh Shamsabadi, Ph.D., P.E., California High-Speed Rail Authority; Matt Redfern, P.E., Hayward Baker, and Edward Mendoza, Becho, then co-presented “The California High-Speed Rail Project.” The morning’s third keynote was a Young Professional feature co- delivered by Babak Mamaqani, Ph.D., P.E., P.M.P., Pirooz Barar & Associates, Pirooz Kashighandi, Ph.D., G.E., Group Delta; Hugo A. Guerrero, Condon-Johnson & Associates; and Victor Hernandez, Skanska, on the Metro-Los Angeles Excavation Superlative. The plenary session on Friday morning began with “Value Engineering – Design Risk and Reward at Major Sport Arena Sessions were well attended. DEEP FOUNDATIONS • NOV/DEC 2018 • 23
