Infrastructure Resource Available from ADSC

ADSC: The International Association of Foundation Drilling has published Infrastructure: Evaluation, Maintenance and Repair, written by ADSC vice president Tom Witherspoon, a noted foundation contractor, engineer and researcher. Witherspoon brings his considerable talents and experiences to the task of identifying and addressing how to deal with several key elements of the United States infrastructure. His earlier, very popular book Residential Foundation Performance, has been distributed throughout the world. As was the case in the prior work, Witherspoon not only defines the problem, but offers step-by-step solutions.

The 354-page, copiously illustrated text addresses five segments of the infrastructure that are in need of evaluation, maintenance and repair. These include highways, bridges, airports, buildings and parking garages. The bridge collapse on Highway I-35 in Minneapolis was a wake-up call that our infrastructure is crumbling and needs repair and, in many cases, replacement. For too long, we have continued to overload, over-occupy, and over-utilize those systems that make a nation viable. Now is the time to evaluate the infrastructure, and make the repairs necessary to bring these important life-line elements back to a level of dependability.

This book is written for contractors, engineers, public servants and officials, and students who will be given the job of providing evaluation, repair and maintenance specifications and designs to address the increasing infrastructure needs. Infrastructure, Evaluation, Maintenance and Repair is intended to be "used;" it is not a mere diatribe pointing out the woes of our current state. Those who utilize the resources provided will receive proposals and guidelines for maintenance, evaluation and repair of their facilities; ideas to help forensically evaluate these structures and facilities; examples of successful applications of engineering evaluation and construction methods; cost-saving ideas to accomplish their mandates; and a compilation of successful methods of addressing facility needs.

This title is available through the ADSC's Technical Library Service. ADSC member price is $51.25, non-members $62.50, plus shipping and handling. To order, e-mail sesking@adsciafd or telephone 214-343-2091.

DFI's New Executive Committee

During the Oct. 14, 2008, Deep Foundations Institute (DFI) board of trustees meeting held in New York City, Tracy Brettmann, a past president of DFI and current chair of the nominating committee, put forth a slate for DFI's 2009 officers. The vote was unanimous and the organization's executive committee was formally announced during DFI's 33rd Annual and 11th International Conference held at the Hilton New York.

Seth Pearlman, DFI's immediate past president, who will remain as a member of the executive committee in the capacity of advisor, thanked the DFI membership for allowing him the opportunity to be a steward of the organization over the last two years. He then invited Rudy Frizzi to the podium in the traditional passing of the gavel, and welcomed him to the position of DFI president for 2009. Frizzi then announced the other officers who were elected: James Morrison of Kiewit Construction Group Inc. as incoming vice president; Patrick Bermingham of Bermingham Foundation Solutions as incoming treasurer, and Robert Bittner of Ben C. Gerwick Inc. as incoming secretary.

Pictured above is Seth Pearlman (l) passing the DFI president's gavel to Rudy Frizzi.

On the Job

Right-of-Way Stabilization

For CSX Corp., one of the nation's leading providers of rail-based transportation services, Rembco Geotechnical Contractors Inc. constructed 25,000 square feet of pile and lagging retaining walls up to 30 feet high with multiple anchored tiebacks (both strand & bar type) to repair slope failure and expand right-of-way. The work was done from active rail lines without hampering the railroad's schedule.

Rembco, headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., is a geotechnical contractor that specializes in foundation support, soil stabilization and specialty grouting. The firm provides a variety of geotechnical services including ground improvement, rockslide stabilization, excavation shoring, sinkhole remediation, encapsulation grout of hazardous materials, and controlling of underground liquid migration.

Hayward Baker's Wolosick Honored

John Wolosick, director of engineering for Hayward Baker Inc.'s Atlanta office, has been named the recipient of the 2008 Martin S. Kapp Foundation Engineering Award. The Geo-Institute Board of Governors of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) selected Wolosick for this award, noting his valuable contributions to micropile design and development, slope stabilization and retaining wall repairs. The award citation presented to Wolosick cited his work for "novel and innovative design and construction applications for micropiling, earth retention, slope and dam stabilization works and the dissemination of this experience through publications, presentations, seminars and tireless promotion of new technology for acceptance in industry and government."

Wolosick specializes in micropiling and underpinning, anchors, earth retention and landslide stabilization, plus all types of grouting. Active in the geotechnical field for more than 25 years, he has been instrumental in the development and implementation of high-capacity micropiles.

California Pile Drivers Meeting

The California chapter of the Pile Driving Contractors Association will hold its annual luncheon on Friday, Dec. 5, at the Hotel Mac in Point Richmond. For more information, contact chapter president Charlie Gibson at 510-232-6319.

Featured Product of the Month

Vibratory Driver/Extractor

The APE Model 200, 200T & 200-6 from American Piledriving Equipment Inc. is a variable frequency vibratory pile driver/extractor designed to drive and extract all types of piles including sheet, pipe, timber, concrete, H-beam, I-beam and steel plates. In addition, the vibrator can be used for soil compaction, installing well casings and installation of tiebacks and wick drains.

The Model 200, 200T, 200-6 is especially suited for driving or extracting piles that are near buildings or other structures. This is because the Model 200, 200T & 200-6 vibrates at higher frequencies, making it less damaging to surrounding soils.

The suppressor housing of the unit is a patented multi-stage system consisting of four large rubber elastomers and eight small elastomers. The large rubber elastomers (technically called the first stage) are used during all driving operations and light-to-medium extraction. The second stage is made up of eight small high-capacity elastomers that do not engage until the crane has pulled approximately 50 tons of line pull.

For more information, visit www.apevibro.com.

Check out Site Prep, a sister publication of The Foundations Report. Site Prep focuses on the challenges and opportunities of site preparation, including site clearing, earth moving, utilities and environmental activities. Go to www.siteprepmag.com, where you can subscribe to the magazine as well as its monthly newsletter, Industry Dirt.

Introducing a New Marketing Opportunity

The March issue of National Driller magazine will feature a special section presenting foundation drilling industry profiles, products and projects. Much like our popular "Manufacturer Spotlights" and "Case Histories" sections, the new "Foundation Drilling Solutions" section allows advertisers to participate in a special advertorial program wherein they offer insights into their companies, their products and their applications in the foundation drilling industry. By placing a full-page advertisement, you get the facing page to tell your story - basically a full-spread ad for the cost of one page. This exciting new component appears in the March issue, which will include bonus distribution at the International Foundation Congress & Equipment Expo '09, taking place Mar. 15-19, in Orlando, Fla. Vendors serving the foundation drilling market can take advantage of this unique opportunity to showcase their offerings and capabilities by contacting Dean (800-874-4245; laramored@bnpmedia.com) or Linda (530-885-6081; moffatl@bnpmedia.com). The materials deadline is Jan. 16, 2009.

AEC Store Corner

The Fundamentals of Pumped Water Systems on CD - ON SALE - $50.00 (sale ends 12/25/08) Presented in CD-format, this handy reference guide and training tool makes a valuable addition to the library of any water systems professional. It contains more than 110 pages of pumped water system articles. This CD provides easy-to-understand insight into complete residential water systems and practical overview of all aspects of water pumping. Also included is a water systems suppliers directory, a comprehensive listing of the companies that provide the equipment and tools of the industry. The CD also features a quiz to measure one's understanding of the material.

FORMULAS AND CALCULATIONS FOR DRILLING, PRODUCTION AND WORKOVER - $110.75 The most complete manual of its kind, this handy book gives you all the formulas and calculations you are likely to need in drilling operations. New, updated material includes conversion tables into metric. Separate chapters deal with calculations for drilling fluids, pressure control and engineering. It also serves as a handy study guide for drilling and well-control certification courses. Virtually all the mathematics required out on the drilling rig is here in one convenient source, including formulas for pressure gradient, specific gravity, pump output, annular velocity, buoyancy factor, volume and stroke, slug weight, drill string design, cementing, depth of washout, bulk density of cuttings, and stuck pipe.

Follow this linkto order or to view other Drilling Resources.  Call 248-244-1275 with any questions.