This is what PIMS should represent for any project — a procedure to collect all the available data from the past and present (while planning for what will be needed in the future) during the initial feasibility study, development, design, construction, testing, acceptance and predicting the recording of future maintenance of the specific structure and for the surrounding influencing structures and environment. In addition, the data would be available in the future and usable whenever needed. Today, only limited large and complex projects are requiring data information systems. However, we can clearly envision the requirement will soon be extended to all the public projects and to most private projects. But, before it becomes a forced requirement, we are suggesting that DFI members evaluate the respective interest and benefits to consider the PIMS platform as an important (if not vital) investment to insure future competitiveness. To understand the To understand the scope of this new DFI “venture” in greater detail, the DFI PIMS Committee has spearheaded the development of a white paper titled “Project Information Management Systems in the Deep Foundations Industry.” scope of this new DFI “venture” in greater detail, the DFI PIMS Committee has spearheaded the development of a white paper authored by expert l e ade r s repre s ent ing different sectors of our industry. Vanessa Bateman of USACE representing the v i ews o f a n own e r ; Massimo Mucci of Bencor Global (a Keller Company) representing the contractor views; Mark Petersen, P.E., G.E., of Black & Veatch representing engineers’ views; and Jamey Rosen, P.Geo., of Geosyntec those of a service provider. The paper, “Project Information Management Systems in the Deep Foundations Industry,” will be available shortly at www.dfi.org . Benefits The initial challenge for any new proposed venture is to explain why it should be done and the benefit of participation. Understanding the importance and impact PIMS will have in the geo-foundation industry is critical in the decision of how any business will operate in the future. The need for more electronic solutions is connected to the consideration of the indisputable challenge for the industry to find, train and retain qualified and experienced site personnel that know how to do the work and how to not only deliver production but also ensure quality while exercising maximum safety standards during any specialized operation. It is clearly foreseeable that we will have fewer and fewer qualified personnel willing to work on site and will be forced to use more and more sophisticated automated tools/equipment (or robots?) to perform the work and verify the quality of the work performed. The intent of the PIMS Committee is to guide the geo- foundation industry in understanding the importance and benefits of connecting and using all the data from various phases and sources. More sophisticated automated monitoring equipment will be used, which will emphasize the need for guidelines and understanding on how contemporaneous data from multiple sources will be collected, evaluated, interconnected and visualized in various formats. All the above, including procedures that will ensure authenticity of the data used and, at the end, guarantees the satisfactory project executions. If this is achieved, the benefits of using a PIMS will be shared by the geo-foundation industry, while reducing overall project risk, in particular: • Owners and owner representatives will receive proof of validity of the work performed in real time and immediately after the project completion, and will have available a complete set of construction data of the work performed. The information will be used to seal the project completion documentation and will be available for any future requirement (expansion, rehabilitation, repairs or maintenance) resulting in more project resiliency. • Engineers, designers and consultants will be able to visualize data and control processes, evaluate data gathered, and confirm design intent is being met as required by specifications and contractual documents. QA/QC and acceptance criteria data will be easily controlled during construction and reviewed/approved reducing greatly the turnaround time. • Contractors will be able to demonstrate, visualize and evaluate that the work performed satisfies the contractual requirements while controlling the construction methodology, promptly correcting any quality concerns, improving project sustainability, ensuring all the acceptance criteria requirements, and requesting faster payment and final project retention releases. However, at the same time, contractors will be able to keep any required proprietary data for future use while evaluating production, improving efficiency and productivity, and controlling equipment and tooling running/maintenance information. • Equipment manufacturers, material suppliers and service providers will be able to understand and improve their products and services (performance, wear, quality, durability, etc.). • Stakeholders (including taxpayers on government projects) will benefit from the execution of projects where more quality control will result in more durable and sustainable infrastructures while reducing/eliminating possible construction delays and the overall cost. • Academics will be able to provide and teach updated data and information on design, technology application and construction management to the future engineers, managers and technology specialists. 58 • DEEP FOUNDATIONS • SEPT/OCT 2018
