Electric Power Systems Foundations Working Group (EPWG) Meeting Chairs: Peter Kandaris DiGioia Gray & Associates, and Steve Davidow, Crux Subsurface 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. Thursday, October 23, 2014 The EPWG was organized in September 2013 as a forum to address issues related to deep foundation design and construction in the electric power systems industry. The group connects the electric power utilities and structural engineers with DFI contractors, consultants, researchers/ academics and manufacturers/suppliers to improve deep foundations practices. The group is collecting design and construction guidance documents used by utilities and conducting a literature review to define the state of practice in North America. The group is also issuing a survey to utilities that focuses on electrical structure types, loading and deflection criteria for electrical structure foundations, electrical structure foundation types and analytical methods. Findings will be used to publish and present a design guide for foundations for electric industry related structures. The group is reaching out to associated designers, construction groups and utilities to further collaboration. The meeting will include discussion of a draft mission statement for the EPWG, review of the ongoing literature search and progress on the survey and design guide, and plans for presentations and publications. INAUGURAL MEETING DFI Women in Foundations Group 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. Friday, October 24, 2014 DFI and the DFI Educational Trust are holding an exploratory meeting to discuss the possibility of forming a DFI Women in Foundations Group. This meeting is being prompted by DFI’s interest in increasing the participation and retention of women in deep foundations careers. The relatively low percentage of women entering geotechnical and deep foundations careers compared to other disciplines, coupled National Highway Institute (NHI) Courses NHI-DFI Partnership DFI offers access to the following NHI courses. These courses are delivered in an instructor-led format (in person delivery), and are taught by NHI-certified instructors who are subject matter specialists. • Drilled Shafts (NHI #132014) • Drilled Shaft Foundation Inspection (NHI #132070) • Driven Pile Foundations – Design and Construction (NHI #132021) • Driven Pile Foundation Inspection (NHI #132069) • Earth Retaining Structures (NHI #132036) • Ground Improvement Techniques (NHI #132034) • LRFD Seismic Analysis and Design of Transportation Structures, Features, and Foundations (NHI #130094) • Micropile Design and Construction (NHI #132078) • Soils and Foundations Workshop (NHI #132012) The courses can be tailored to specific needs, and are particularly attractive to companies servicing State DOTs who want to enhance their transportation expertise. All interested parties are encouraged to contact Mary Ellen Bruce at [email protected] for more information. with the many women who leave the professional industry, result in a small number of active female practitioners and researchers in the deep foundations field. This exploratory meeting is aimed at gathering interested women and men to brainstorm needs of women in foundations careers and identify potential goals of a DFI Women in Foundations Group that could meet these needs, e.g., scholarship, men- toring/networking (women practicing and researching deep foundation topics paired with young professionals/students), etc. Legends Planning Committee Meeting Chair: David Coleman Underpinning & Foundation Skanska 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. Friday, October 24, 2014 DFI is planning a new program to recognize the practitioners who have made significant contributions and advancements to the research, design, construction and use of deep foundations. The “Legends” event will be held every 3 to 5 years, and include presentations from outstanding industry contributors. “Legends” will be nominated through an application process (self-nomination is acceptable), and will be invited to speak for 30 to 40 minutes on a subject of their choosing, e.g., a favorite project, a lesson learned, advice for the next generation, pivotal accomplishment, etc. A Q&A session will follow the presentations to allow additional sharing of experiences and audience interaction with presenters. Proceedings of papers will be prepared for publication and sale. Awardees will be given a unique memento of the event and a reception or dinner would be held. The event will include an exhibition where exhibitors highlight or focus on advancements in the industry (materials, products, equipment, testing, etc.), and will be a fundraiser for the DFI Educational Trust general fund. The first meeting will include discussion of roles and responsibilities and suggestions for Legends candidates. Chair David Coleman will present an overview of the program on Thursday, October 23 during the technical sessions. DEEP FOUNDATIONS • SEPT/OCT 2014 • 107
