Coming Next Month: DFI's Annual Conference

The Deep Foundation Institute's (DFI) 34th Annual Conference on Deep Foundations gives all industry members an opportunity to discuss, on equal footing, the technical concerns specific to the design and construction of deep foundations. Inclusive of all foundation elements and systems, the program and scope of the conference is enriched by the presence of all disciplines - engineers, contractors, professors, suppliers and manufacturers. Each fall, they've gathered at the DFI conference to learn from each other and discuss the state of the practice and the state of the art within our field.

This year, four sessions over three days comprise a program featuring the experiences of professionals at work in today's challenging industry environment. Presenters were selected by an interdisciplinary committee of foundation industry leaders from over 70 abstracts submitted by the industry worldwide. The event takes place Oct. 20-23, at the Westin Crown Center in Kansas City, Mo., and you have until Sept. 29 to get the discounted group rate of $179 per night (call 888-627-8538). The member price for registering is $695 before Sept. 15. For all the pertinent details, telephone 973-423-4030 or visit www.dfi.org. (photo courtesy of AJ Drilling Inc.)

After the DFI Show: A Piling Symposium

The North American Steel Sheet Piling Association is presenting a steel sheet piling symposium following DFI's conference. The half-day event will include technical presentations on steel sheet piling design practices and case studies illustrating steel sheet piling applications. A buffet lunch will be provided to attendees. The venue is the Westin Crown Center in Kansas City, Mo. (888-627-8538 for reservations). Topics to be covered include:

· Alternate, anchored, steel sheet pile bulkheads.
· Sheet steel piling cofferdams.
· Contilevered sheet pile walls.
· Design and construction practices.
· Question and answer session.

The registration fee is $75. For complete details, telephone 866-658-8667 or visit www.nasspa.org.

On the Job

Hub Installs Core Beams

Hub Foundation Co., Harvard, Mass., installed 44 core beams in shafts as big as 10 feet in diameter and more than 125 feet deep for the Blackfan Research Center in Boston's hospital district. Some of the core beams weighed up to 100,000 pounds to facilitate the project's top-down construction. Hub's 200-ton crane, the Liebherr 895, and an APE King Kong Vibratory Hammer, were used to install the 40-foot long casings.

In its four-decade history, Hub has completed nearly 800 contracts under diverse, and sometimes difficult, conditions. Over the years, Hub has evolved from one of New England's largest pile driving outfits to become a leader in the drilled shaft market in and around Boston.

Michael Moore Now Leads ADSC

ADSC: The International Association of Foundation Drilling reports that Michael Moore has been appointed to the position of CEO, as long-time ADSC executive director S. Scot Litke moves on to other things. Moore joined the ADSC in 2005, initially serving as the association's education and membership administrator. He was promoted to the position of assistant executive director in 2006.

Litke had informed the ADSC board that he planned to leave his post as executive director at the end of this year, and recommended that Moore be appointed to take on the staff leadership role. A formal transition plan was put into effect at the beginning of 2008 with the expectation that Litke would stay on through the year, working closely with Moore as he assumed tasks related to his new role.

Litke will stay on to assist Moore as needed in the role of senior advisor. Moore is excited about taking on the responsibilities associated with being the CEO, and has been mapping out his vision of how the ADSC staff can support the wide range of activities. These include providing assistance to the association's eight regional chapters, working with its 20 technical and operations committees, coordinating the workings of the ADSC board of directors, and continuing to enhance the ADSC's education and training programs. Moore feels it is of utmost importance to maintain and extend the association's long-standing industry liaison activities, such as those with federal and state agencies, as well as other sister organizations in the geo-industry.

Related reminder: ADSC is having its Fall board of directors meeting Oct. 28-30 in Irving, Texas. It takes place at the Sheraton Grand Hotel; telephone 972-929-8400 for reservations. The tentative schedule is posted at www.adsc-iafd.com; direct any other questions to Jan Hall at 214-343-2091.

Open House at TEI

TEI Rock Drills Inc., a leading manufacturer of drilling attachments and limited access drill rigs, is hosting an open house at its Montrose, Colo., headquarters Oct. 6-8. Seminars, facility tours and hands-on demonstrations will bring everyone up-to-date on what's new, what's in the works, and what's still on the drawing board in the world of construction drilling. Always an enlightening and valuable experience, this year's event is highlighted by the presentation of test results from a recent hollow bar study. You can get all the details by calling 800-777-3745 or visiting www.teirockdrills.com.

Featured Product of the Month

Helical Pile System

Magnum Piering Inc. offers round shaft helical piles ranging in load capacities from 18 tons to 200 tons. These pre-engineered units are designed to be fast and easy to install - depending on depth, 30 to 40 per day with a single installation device and a 3-man crew. The patented Dual Cutting Edge Blade enables the piles to penetrate difficult soils including very dense gravel, soils laden with occasional cobbles and even fill soils containing trash like trees, concrete debris, small-to-medium rocks, etc. The blades are said to be able to penetrate sedimentary bedrock with SPT blow counts of up to 50 blows for 6 inches. Learn more at www.magnumpiering.com.

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AEC Store Corner

Geotechnical Engineering, 5th Ed.

$132.00

Geotechnical Engineering Soil and Foundation Principles and Practice offers a concise, easy-to-understand approach to the principles and methods of soil and geotechnical engineering. This updated classic builds from basic principles of soil mechanics and applies them to new topics, including mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) and intermediate foundations. FOLLOW THIS LINK for a complete description or to purchase this item.  Call Stephanie at 248-244-1275 to place your order by phone.