Conference Speakers
We are extremely excited to showcase the lineup of impressive conference speakers
at this year's DICEP Conference!
at this year's DICEP Conference!
Aaron Budge
Ph.D., P.E.
Ph.D., P.E.
Associate Dean
College of science, engineering, & technology
Minnesota state univERSITY
College of science, engineering, & technology
Minnesota state univERSITY
Bob Stevens
PhD, P.E., F.ASCE, D.GE
PhD, P.E., F.ASCE, D.GE
PRINCIPLE CONSULTANT
FUGRO USA MARINE, INC.
FUGRO USA MARINE, INC.
Brandon Phetteplace
P.E.
P.E.
PROJECT ENGINEER
GRL ENGINEERS, INC.
GRL ENGINEERS, INC.
Buck Darling, III
PRESIDENT
HERBERT F. DARLING, INC.
HERBERT F. DARLING, INC.
Chad Held
P.E.
P.E.
Executive vice president
eustis engineering
eustis engineering
Clayton Signor
OWNER
TEXAS PILE, LLC
TEXAS PILE, LLC
Daniel Sprunk
PROJECT MANAGER
CAJUN INDUSTRIES, LLC
CAJUN INDUSTRIES, LLC
Gerry McShane
DIRECTOR PILING SALES
SERVICE STEEL WAREHOUSE
SERVICE STEEL WAREHOUSE
Michael Simpson
P.E.
P.E.
SENIOR GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER
INFRASTRUCTURE CONSULTING & ENGINEERING, LLC
INFRASTRUCTURE CONSULTING & ENGINEERING, LLC
Silas Nichols
P.E.
P.E.
PRINCIPAL GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEER
FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION’S OFFICE OF INFRASTRUCTURE
FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION’S OFFICE OF INFRASTRUCTURE
Takefumi Takuma
SENIOR ADVISOR
GIKEN AMERICA
GIKEN AMERICA
Timothy C. Seigel
P.E., G.E., D.GE
P.E., G.E., D.GE
CEO / SENIOR PRINCIPAL
DAN BROWN & ASSOCIATES
DAN BROWN & ASSOCIATES
Interested in speaking at the event? Please reach out to the PDCA staff or members of the PDCA Education Committee for details on upcoming events and speaking opportunities.
Hotel Reservations
Houston Marriott West Loop by the Galleria
1750 West Loop S.
Houston, Texas 77027
PDCA has secured a conference rate of $179/night, for reservations made through Friday, August 25, 2023 (subject to room rate availability, including pre/post nights) at the Houston Marriott West Loop by the Galleria. Individuals are responsible for making their own reservations either online, click below, or by calling 800-228-9290 and referencing Pile Driving Contractors Association.
PDCA does not use a housing or room reservation service for its events. If you receive an email or call from a third-party service, do not book with them.
1750 West Loop S.
Houston, Texas 77027
PDCA has secured a conference rate of $179/night, for reservations made through Friday, August 25, 2023 (subject to room rate availability, including pre/post nights) at the Houston Marriott West Loop by the Galleria. Individuals are responsible for making their own reservations either online, click below, or by calling 800-228-9290 and referencing Pile Driving Contractors Association.
PDCA does not use a housing or room reservation service for its events. If you receive an email or call from a third-party service, do not book with them.
Schedule
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
| 3:00 pm
Registration Opens & Exhibit Break
| 3:30 pm
Opening Ceremony & Welcome Announcements
| 4:00 pm
Role of Geotechnical Engineering on Design Build Panel Discussion
Chad Held, P.E., Executive Vice President, Eustis Engineering
Clayton Signor, Owner, Texas Pile, LLC
Silas Nichols, P.E., Principal Geotechnical Engineer, Federal Highway Administration's Office of Infrastructure
Clayton Signor, Owner, Texas Pile, LLC
Silas Nichols, P.E., Principal Geotechnical Engineer, Federal Highway Administration's Office of Infrastructure
| 5:00 pm
Meet & Greet Reception - Exhibit Hall
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
| 7:00 am
Registration & Breakfast - Exhibit Hall
| 8:00 am
Morning Welcome Announcements
| 8:15 am
Installation of an Offshore Platform
Bob Stevens, PhD, PE, F.ASCE, D.GE, Principal Consultant, Fugro
The shear strength, over consolidation ratio, and sensitivity profiles are presented. The computation of the ultimate pile capacity is discussed. The evaluation of pile drivability is presented. Pile driving operations and the increase in pile capacity with time are discussed.
| 8:45 am
The Impact of In-Depth Understanding of Steel Sheet Piling Materials, Design, Configuration and Installation on Construction Cost
Gerry McShane, Director Piling Sales, Service Steel Warehouse
Improved construction performance and construction cost savings can be realized primarily by optimizing material selection, steel grades and eliminating costly installation errors.
This presentation will evaluate materials and steel grade selection. It will also review design configurations and give recommendation on construction methods in line with best practice.
This presentation will evaluate materials and steel grade selection. It will also review design configurations and give recommendation on construction methods in line with best practice.
| 9:15 am
Earthen Levee Retrofit with Pressed-in Double Sheet Pile Walls
Takefumi Takuma, Senior Advisor, Giken America
This presentation will discuss the design and construction of an earthen levee upgrade project with pressed-in sheet piles in Orange County, California. The county’s flood control district has been upgrading existing levees along its drainage channels to enhance their levees’ aseismic abilities in addition to increasing drainage capacities. A combination of double sheet pile walls and deep soil mix columns inside was selected for design flexibility, aseismic structural integrity, and long service life. The sheet piles were specified to be pressed-in due to the noise and vibration concerns around existing homes standing just behind the levees.
| 9:45 am
Optimizing Pile Lengths with an Embedded Instrumentation Load Test Program for a Large Industrial Plant
Brandon Phetteplace, P.E., Project Engineer, GRL Engineers, Inc.
Daniel Sprunk, Project Manager, Cajun Industries, LLC
Daniel Sprunk, Project Manager, Cajun Industries, LLC
TBD
| 10:15 am
Break - Exhibit Hall
| 10:45 am
Tale of Two Shorings: Dallas Rail Yard and Lake Austin Water Quality Pond
Clayton Signor, Owner, Texas Pile, LLC
Dallas: 240 wall feet of PZ 27 sheet piles adjacent to a BNSF rail line for a 24 FT excavation. The foundation was converted from 55 - 24" OD drilled piers to 110 - 8" sch 40 pipe piles. Site was on 20+ feet of landfill over shale. Lake Austin: 210 wall feet of SCZ18N/21N sheet piles to replace original concrete walls design and act as coffer walls during excavation and dewatering.
| 11:45 am
The Role of Sustainability in Future Design
Silas Nichols, P.E., Principal Geotechnical Engineer, Federal Highway Administration's Office of Infrastructure
TBD
| 12:30 pm
Lunch - Exhibit Hall
| 1:30 pm
Innovative Methods for Pile Installation
Keith Cronin, Pacific Pile & Marine
This presentation intends to cover various innovative methods for pile installation, such as utilizing a tip table and multi-tier template for PS-31 110’ flat sheets. Additional methods would include a pile staging platform for large diameter and length that allows the team to pick, set and cut loose as well as picking pipe using a vibratory hammer from horizontal to vertical, up to 45tn.
The main takeaways are:
1. When installing PS-31 flat sheets, make sure to keep checking for plumbness as loss of plumb prevents free sliding sheets. Making sure the hammer is in proper alignment during driving will help to keep the sheets plumb and prevent any bending or bowing of sheets.
2. To maintain plumbness, piles shall be reworked if they keep losing plumb as follows.
• Before raising any pile, and previously to full pile extraction whip line shall be secured using wire choker minimum diameter of 1.5”. The tie-off point on crane must be in a location not to restrict crane rotation, otherwise block will be lowered to less than 70 feet from ground.
• Pile shall be visually inspected by competent person. If the top of pile shows fatigue from jaws of vibrator or presence of cracks, it shall be cut off prior to it being raised.
• The top of pile (web) shall be checked for fatigue and metal wear.
• Sheets shall be checked for bending/bowing and interlocks for binding. and attached are two pictures showing wear on sheet piles from jaws of vibratory hammer that can be used as reference. How much of the sheet pile is cut off will be logged in daily report to calculate pile tip elevation.
The main takeaways are:
1. When installing PS-31 flat sheets, make sure to keep checking for plumbness as loss of plumb prevents free sliding sheets. Making sure the hammer is in proper alignment during driving will help to keep the sheets plumb and prevent any bending or bowing of sheets.
2. To maintain plumbness, piles shall be reworked if they keep losing plumb as follows.
• Before raising any pile, and previously to full pile extraction whip line shall be secured using wire choker minimum diameter of 1.5”. The tie-off point on crane must be in a location not to restrict crane rotation, otherwise block will be lowered to less than 70 feet from ground.
• Pile shall be visually inspected by competent person. If the top of pile shows fatigue from jaws of vibrator or presence of cracks, it shall be cut off prior to it being raised.
• The top of pile (web) shall be checked for fatigue and metal wear.
• Sheets shall be checked for bending/bowing and interlocks for binding. and attached are two pictures showing wear on sheet piles from jaws of vibratory hammer that can be used as reference. How much of the sheet pile is cut off will be logged in daily report to calculate pile tip elevation.
| 2:00 pm
Fundamentals of Driven Pile Design Principles
Aaron Budge, PhD, P.E., Associate Dean, College of Science, Engineering & Technology, Minnesota State Univ.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has engaged in several performance monitoring projects to evaluate the soil-pile interaction phenomenon of dragload and downdrag as new design guidance is being developed by the United States FHWA and AASHTO agencies. This presentation describes a project where a new bridge approach embankment was constructed over a soft soil layer overlying bedrock – perhaps the ideal conditions with respect to downdrag development. The soils below the bridge abutment embankment experienced consolidation settlement and the bridge piling was subject to dragload. The abutment embankment was monitored for deformation performance and two steel H-piles, within the production pile group, were instrumented and subsequently monitored during construction and several years into service. Sensor response showed that the piles continued to accumulate load following construction as soils continued to consolidate. A computational model of the soil pile system was also developed to assist with the understanding of the field measurements and extrapolate performance behavior under different conditions. Lessons learned on this and related recent case-study projects relative to the downdrag phenomenon are presented.
| 3:00 pm
Break - Exhibit Hall
| 3:30 pm
Design Changes and a Material Substitution - Savings for Heritage Point at Canalside’s Building One in Buffalo, NY
Buck Darling, President, Herbert F. Darling, Inc.
When the bid documents came out for the Heritage Point at Canalside Building One, there was significant pile driving work in the form of a perimeter shoring system, and driven piles. In addition, rock socketed micro-piles were a part of the deep foundation plan due to uplift loads. Herbert F. Darling, Inc., hoping to be the pile subcontractor thought there might be a better, less expensive way to provide driven piles, while also satisfying the uplift design parameters. We would also be providing the general contractors a “one stop shop” for their deep foundation and shoring needs. This presentation will focus on the process used to change the original pile section to a more cost-effective solution while changing the uplift pile design to an anchored driven pile. Other general aspects of the project will be discussed as well.
| 4:00 pm
Design Considerations for Displacement Rigid Inclusions
Timothy C. Seigel, P.E., G.E., D.GE, CEO/Senior Principal, Dan Brown & Associates
The presentation will start with an explanation of the components of a rigid inclusion system. It will examine several case histories. One or more of the case histories will focus on the use of driven timber piles. It will wrap up with some suggestions when considering such a system for projects.
| 4:30 pm
Surfside Beach Pier Replacement – Value Engineering Design
Michael Simpson, P.E., Senior Geotechnical Engineer, Infrastructure Consulting & Engineering
The Surfside Beach (South Carolina) Fishing Pier was irreparably damaged during Hurricane Matthew in 2016. A replacement pier is currently being constructed as the centerpiece to the Town of Surfside Beach. The project design and construction limitations included complex wave/seismic loading, town mandated aesthetics for the foundations, a highly corrosive marine environment, and most critically for the geotechnical shallow hard limestone/marlstone layers.
This presentation will detail the value engineering (VE) geotechnical design of the replacement fishing pier including significant reduction in total foundation elements, change from drilled pile to driven pile foundations, and change from battered to non-battered piles. The major foundation design changes were based on soil-structure interaction modeling using FB-MultiPier and pile drivability analyses using wave equation analysis program GRLWEAP. The final foundation type chosen for the project was a vertical driven open-ended steel pipe pile foundation. Several different tip treatments for the pipe piles were considered based on the anticipated driving conditions through the potentially shallow hard limestone/marlstone layer. Construction design verification was performed using dynamic pile testing and signal matching analyses.
This presentation will detail the value engineering (VE) geotechnical design of the replacement fishing pier including significant reduction in total foundation elements, change from drilled pile to driven pile foundations, and change from battered to non-battered piles. The major foundation design changes were based on soil-structure interaction modeling using FB-MultiPier and pile drivability analyses using wave equation analysis program GRLWEAP. The final foundation type chosen for the project was a vertical driven open-ended steel pipe pile foundation. Several different tip treatments for the pipe piles were considered based on the anticipated driving conditions through the potentially shallow hard limestone/marlstone layer. Construction design verification was performed using dynamic pile testing and signal matching analyses.
Registration Information & Fees
There are multiple ways to participate in the PDCA 24th Annual DICEP Conference - attendee, exhibitor, and/or sponsor. During the registration process, you will be able to indicate the opportunities that fit your and your company's needs.
Attendee Benefits: The DICEP Conference will consist of a series of presentations with a focus on innovative design, construction case studies, and equipment related to deep foundations, earth retention and/ or the driven pile. Attendees will learn the advantages of using driven piles as a foundation element for various types of projects as well as current & projected industry engineering discussions.
Conference attendee registration fee includes the listed breakfast, breaks, lunch, and reception on the schedule, as well as conference materials, session presentations, access to exhibit hall, and up to 8.5 professional development hours (PDH).
Exhibitor Benefits: This 1.5-day intimate event encourages opportunities for you to promote your business as a professional in the driven pile industry. Your company will be part of a unique and professional setting designed for networking and socializing, fostering, and developing new client relationships and, most importantly, exposure of your company’s products, services, tools and techniques to contractors, engineers, and those just starting out in the driven pile industry. There is no better way to make an impact than in the PDCA Exhibit Hall, which will be the featured location for all food and beverage functions including breakfast, lunch, reception, and breaks.
Exhibitor registration fee includes full conference registrations for two individuals and exhibit space, including a six-foot skirted table, two chairs, and wastebasket. Additional exhibitor registrations are available if more than 2 individuals are needed.
Sponsor Benefits: Companies will have a variety of individual and shared sponsorship opportunities at the conference and PDCA will continue the tradition of featuring sponsors in a highly visible, consistent, and professional manner through continuous onsite visibility of their company name and logo.
This includes recognition and advertising on conference signage and on conference marketing materials, including the conference brochure, PDCA monthly Pile of News e-newsletter, social media promotion before, during and after the conference, conference emails, PileDriver magazine and on the DICEP conference and PDCA websites.
Attendee Benefits: The DICEP Conference will consist of a series of presentations with a focus on innovative design, construction case studies, and equipment related to deep foundations, earth retention and/ or the driven pile. Attendees will learn the advantages of using driven piles as a foundation element for various types of projects as well as current & projected industry engineering discussions.
Conference attendee registration fee includes the listed breakfast, breaks, lunch, and reception on the schedule, as well as conference materials, session presentations, access to exhibit hall, and up to 8.5 professional development hours (PDH).
Exhibitor Benefits: This 1.5-day intimate event encourages opportunities for you to promote your business as a professional in the driven pile industry. Your company will be part of a unique and professional setting designed for networking and socializing, fostering, and developing new client relationships and, most importantly, exposure of your company’s products, services, tools and techniques to contractors, engineers, and those just starting out in the driven pile industry. There is no better way to make an impact than in the PDCA Exhibit Hall, which will be the featured location for all food and beverage functions including breakfast, lunch, reception, and breaks.
Exhibitor registration fee includes full conference registrations for two individuals and exhibit space, including a six-foot skirted table, two chairs, and wastebasket. Additional exhibitor registrations are available if more than 2 individuals are needed.
Sponsor Benefits: Companies will have a variety of individual and shared sponsorship opportunities at the conference and PDCA will continue the tradition of featuring sponsors in a highly visible, consistent, and professional manner through continuous onsite visibility of their company name and logo.
This includes recognition and advertising on conference signage and on conference marketing materials, including the conference brochure, PDCA monthly Pile of News e-newsletter, social media promotion before, during and after the conference, conference emails, PileDriver magazine and on the DICEP conference and PDCA websites.
Member Fees
Conference Attendees - $600
Government / Military / State Agency Employees - $450
Students - $100
Exhibitors - $800
Additional Exhibit Reps - $500 each
Government / Military / State Agency Employees - $450
Students - $100
Exhibitors - $800
Additional Exhibit Reps - $500 each
Non-Member Fees
Conference Attendees - $750
Government / Military / State Agency Employees - $600
Students - $200
Exhibitors - $1,000
Additional Exhibit Reps - $500 each
Government / Military / State Agency Employees - $600
Students - $200
Exhibitors - $1,000
Additional Exhibit Reps - $500 each
Cancellation / Refund Policy
A refund in the amount of 50% will be issued for attendee cancellations received through 5:00 p.m. Friday, August 25, 2023. No refunds will be issued after this date; however, you may transfer your registration to another individual.
Sponsorships are non-refundable.
A full refund will be issued for exhibitor cancellations received by Friday, August 11, 2021. Refunds in the amount of 50% will be issued for exhibitor cancellations received between August 12 and August 25, 2031. Refunds for Exhibit Booths will not be issued after this date.
Should you need to cancel your registration, please contact the Pile Driving Contractors Association by phone at 904-215-4771 or by email at [email protected].
Sponsorships are non-refundable.
A full refund will be issued for exhibitor cancellations received by Friday, August 11, 2021. Refunds in the amount of 50% will be issued for exhibitor cancellations received between August 12 and August 25, 2031. Refunds for Exhibit Booths will not be issued after this date.
Should you need to cancel your registration, please contact the Pile Driving Contractors Association by phone at 904-215-4771 or by email at [email protected].
Conference Location
Houston Marriott West Loop | 1750 West Loop S, Houston, Texas 77027
Sponsors
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR COMPANIES FOR THEIR SUPPORT OF THE
PDCA 24TH ANNUAL DICEP CONFERENCE!
PDCA 24TH ANNUAL DICEP CONFERENCE!
Meet & Greet Reception: Co-sponsor the one and only conference reception on Tuesday evening. This is an excellent opportunity to showcase your company brand and what you have to offer to the driven pile industry. The reception will include a hosted bar and hors d’oeuvres from 5:15 PM – 6:30 PM in the Exhibit Hall.
DICEP Attendee Name Badge Lanyard: Make a statement, be seen and connect with attendees all day by sponsoring the 24th Annual DICEP name badge lanyard, co-branded with your company logo and PDCA.
DICEP Hotel Keycard: Don’t miss out on this opportunity to include your company logo on the attendee’s Marriott hotel room key. Each card will be co-branded with your company and PDCA’s logos. Keep your company front and center as attendees use their keycard throughout their stay.
DICEP Marketing Sponsor: Support the overall 24th Annual DICEP Conference and engage attendees with a promotional item (provided by sponsor) in their conference bag. Promotional items ideas include, but are not limited to, hats, koozies, tech gadgets, hard hat stickers, etc.
DICEP Session Sponsor: Support the 24th Annual DICEP Conference with session sponsorship. Session sponsors will be highlighted signage inside the session room and have the opportunity to introduce the session speaker(s).
DICEP Attendee Name Badge Lanyard: Make a statement, be seen and connect with attendees all day by sponsoring the 24th Annual DICEP name badge lanyard, co-branded with your company logo and PDCA.
DICEP Hotel Keycard: Don’t miss out on this opportunity to include your company logo on the attendee’s Marriott hotel room key. Each card will be co-branded with your company and PDCA’s logos. Keep your company front and center as attendees use their keycard throughout their stay.
DICEP Marketing Sponsor: Support the overall 24th Annual DICEP Conference and engage attendees with a promotional item (provided by sponsor) in their conference bag. Promotional items ideas include, but are not limited to, hats, koozies, tech gadgets, hard hat stickers, etc.
DICEP Session Sponsor: Support the 24th Annual DICEP Conference with session sponsorship. Session sponsors will be highlighted signage inside the session room and have the opportunity to introduce the session speaker(s).
Meet & Greet Reception
Name Badge Lanyard
Hotel Keycards
Marketing & Session Sponsor
Session Sponsor
Session Sponsor
Session Sponsor
Session Sponsor
News & Updates
Please see below of information and updates on related to DICEP and PDCA.
PDCA Texas Chapter Inaugural Golf Tournament
kick off dICEP with networking, fun, & golf
Attendees of the DICEP Conference are welcome to participate in the PDCA Texas Chapter's Inaugural Golf Tournament on the morning of September 12th.
Registration for the golf tournament is separate from the conference and handled directly by the PDCA Texas Chapter.
Please go to https://birdease.com/pdcatxchapter for information and to register for the tournament.
Registration for the golf tournament is separate from the conference and handled directly by the PDCA Texas Chapter.
Please go to https://birdease.com/pdcatxchapter for information and to register for the tournament.