Slope Stabilization

The Deep Foundations Institute is sponsoring an educational seminar titled, "Stabilizing Slopes Using Non-Earthwork Methods." The course will be presented Jan. 20 in Oakland, Mar. 3 in Dallas, and June 26 in Cincinnati, and will provide an in-depth review of industry-standard best practices for slope stabilization techniques using non-earthwork methods.

The seminar will consist of technical presentations regarding the design, application and installation of four slope repair and stabilization methods. Slope stabilization methods include platepiles, soil nails and drilled anchors, launched soil nails and tieback helical anchors. In addition to the technical presentations, case histories highlighting the use of each application in the field will be presented.

To register, or for more information, visit www.dfi.org or telephone 973-423-4030.

On the Job

Cellular Cofferdam Project Underway

Contributed by the good folks at Vulcan Iron Works, which has been manufacturing a line of air/steam pile driving equipment for more than a century:
Currently underway is the replacement of the Chickamauga Lock in the Tennessee River at Chattanooga, Tenn. It is part of the Tennessee Valley Authority system of locks and dams, the construction of which pioneered the use of cellular cofferdams in rock. C.J. Mahan Construction Co. is the contractor on this project, which is one of the largest applications of cellular cofferdams underway in North America. C.J. Mahan, headquartered in Grove City, Ohio, specializes in large-scale, heavy civil engineering projects including the development and rehabilitation of concrete and steel bridges, water treatment facilities, locks, dams, and other challenging structures.

Complex Geotechnical Engineering Seminar

A seminar titled, "Finite Elements in Geotechnical Engineering takes place Jan. 29-30, 2009, in Phoenix. This Geo-Institute seminar, featuring instructor D. Vaughn Griffiths, describes a powerful suite of finite element programs suitable for analysis of a broad range of practical problems of interest to geotechnical engineers. Routine geotechnical predictions relating to foundations, slopes and soil/structure interaction performance can often be obtained from charts or standard methods of analysis, but when complex boundary conditions or combinations of material properties are encountered, the classical approaches are severely limited. The finite element method is ideally suited for modeling these more complex problems, and most programs can now be run comfortably on a personal computer. After a brief introduction on the finite element method, the course will concentrate on some practical applications of the finite element method, e.g. seepage, settlements and slope stability. For all the pertinent details, click www.asce.org/conted/seminars/seminar.cfm?cat=3#abc57abc.

Pile Driving Professors Sought

The Pile Driving Contractors Association (PDCA) has announced the 5th Professors' Driven Pile Institute, to be held June 14-20, 2009, at Utah State University in Logan, Utah. Through the Professors' Driven Pile Institute, the PDCA has provided the nation's leading engineering professors with the expertise to teach more than 4,000 engineering students about driven piles.

A key component in the increased visibility and marketability of driven piles has been this liaison with academia through the PDCA's Professors' Driven Pile Institute. Almost 100 of the nation's leading engineering professors have completed this intensive, five-day training program. Professors learn about driven pile design, installation, quality control and assurance, and advancements in driven pile technology. They come away from this course with the knowledge, skill and materials to teach their engineering students about the value of driven pile. The PDCA funds virtually all expenses for the professors, and the end result is a new generation of engineers prepared to specify driven piles for deep foundations and earth retention systems.

The PDCA is accepting applications by professors who currently are teaching undergraduate or graduate courses in deep foundations, or professors who will be teaching courses in deep foundations during the fall semester of 2009. PDCA requires professors to submit a letter of introduction and a resume to: Professors' Driven Pile Institute, 1857 Wells Road, Suite 214, Orange Park, Fla. 32073, or e-mail steve@piledrivers.org. All applicants will be notified of the status of their application in early 2009.

Product of the Month

High-capacity Colloidal Mixers

The ChemGrout CG-680 series includes both skid- and trailer-mounted equipment. The colloidal series easily mixes and pumps slurries of cement, fly ash, bentonite and lime flour. Each grouting machine in this series is designed to provide a continuous mixing and pumping operation. These units feature a 17-cubic-foot-high shear colloidal mixer, a 17-cubic-foot agitated storage tank, and a 45-GPM grout pump. The colloidal mixer is equipped with a high-speed centrifugal diffuser-type pump that disperses the cementitious material down to its finest particle size to achieve complete particle wetness. The mixing tank also is equipped with a bridge breaker to break apart the material before entering the colloidal mixer. The agitated storage tank is equipped with a variable speed high-efficiency paddle mixer that maintains a thoroughly mixed grout while waiting to be pumped. The grout pump is connected directly to the agitated storage tank to provide a continuous pumping operation. Operator controls are centrally located for efficient production. All components are easily accessible for operating, cleaning and maintenance. For more information, visit www.chemgrout.com.

Inaugural Disaster Recovery Conference

National disaster recovery and reconstruction experts headline the first National Disaster Reconstruction Expo's (NDRExpo) conference program. The NDRExpo was developed to unite the numerous vertical markets associated with disaster preparation, response, recovery and rebuilding. The conference program reflects this diversity with a robust line-up of industry experts. NDRExpo launches June 17-18, 2009 at the Morial New Orleans Convention Center. A full conference schedule and additional information can be found at www.NDRExpo.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.

Your friends at The Foundations Report wish you a joyous holiday season, and a prosperous and healthy New Year.

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.