▼▼PILE DYNAMICS COMPLETELY REVAMPS ITS
PILE DRIVING ANALYZER® SYSTEM
Pile Dynamics has recently announced the release of a new
model of Pile Driving Analyzer® (PDA) system, the PDA-8G,
billing it as the culmination of a complete redesign effort of the
most widely employed system for dynamic load tests of any type
of deep foundation. Like previous PDAs, this eighth generation
model performs the test normalized by the American Society of
Testing and Materials standard ASTM D4945.
The test, which for many decades has been accepted as
an alternative for static load tests in more than 100 countries
around the world, takes place either during pile driving or when
a substantial mass impacts a non-driven pile. At each impact,
the PDA takes data obtained by sensors attached to the pile and
calculates bearing capacity and other quantities.
In the new PDA-8G, these quantities number more than
230 – a trove of information to the geotechnical engineer, who
doesn’t even need to be at the job site. With this new model, Pile
Dynamics made its SiteLink® technology easier to use. SiteLink
transmits test data in real time from the field to an office computer
at an alternate location. The majority of engineers will
probably still use the PDA-8G in the field, however. For them,
Pile Dynamics made a tablet-like PDA that is thinner than previous
models, light, ergonomic, and with a high visibility touch
screen display that responds to gesture controls like swiping and
pinch-to-zoom.
The PDA-8G is being offered with either four or eight
universal channels of data acquisition, all compatible with both
cabled and wireless sensors. This enhancement from previous
models is of particular interest to those who test large diameter
shafts. Data transfer from the sensors to the PDA is extremely
fast, suitable to test piles driven with high blow rate hydraulic
hammers. The PDA-S software includes extensive data input
help and output customization, and two real time capacity
calculation methods (CASE and iCAP®, which is similar to
the well-respected CAPWAP® software). Incidentally, a new
version of the CAPWAP data analysis software is also being
released. All PDA systems include licenses of CAPWAP, the
GRLWEAP Wave Equation Analysis software and the complete
PDA software suite.
Pile Dynamics offers a host of other systems for quality
assurance of deep foundation in addition to the PDA. For more
information on the PDA-8G, visit www.pile.com/PDA.
▼▼COX INDUSTRIES, INC. EXPANDING
ORANGEBURG COUNTY OPERATIONS
Cox Industries, Inc., a leading
manufacturer and distributor of
treated outdoor wood products,
is expanding its Orangeburg
County operations. The company
is investing $11.2 million
to expand and upgrade its facilities
in Eutawville, Bowman,
Orangeburg and Branchville,
S.C. The investment is expected to create 60 new jobs over five
years.
Founded in 1954 and headquartered in Orangeburg, S.C.,
Cox operates 14 manufacturing facilities and more than ten distribution
yards east of the Mississippi.
“Investment in Orangeburg County by Cox Industries has
been ongoing since the inception of our company here in 1954,”
said R. Michael “Mikee” Johnson, president and CEO of Cox.
“We appreciate the continued support of Orangeburg County and
the state of South Carolina, which provide such a pro-business
environment for us to thrive. Continued job creation is the foundational
piece of fostering a vibrant economy throughout the
county and state.”
With operations in 10 states, the company employs more
than 400 workers. In 2012, Cox Industries was recognized
by the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance, receiving the
organization’s Excellence in Corporate Responsibility Award.
Among the company’s quality products are decks, fences, utility
poles, docks, retaining walls and other specialty items.
Cox has several projects planned to facilitate the expansion
of its Orangeburg County operations. Among them are the completion
of the installation of a wood-fired boiler at the company’s
Eutawville, S.C. plant and the consolidation of other enterprisewide
functions at its Orangeburg, S.C. facility. Additionally,
Cox is planning to make capacity upgrades at its operations in
Bowman, S.C. and Branchville, S.C.
Hiring for these new positions is ongoing as these investments
are implemented over the next five years. Those
interested in applying may view any available openings at
www.coxwood.com/about/careers/.
For more information on Cox Industries, Inc., please visit
www.coxwood.com.
▼▼ELLIS & ASSOCIATES, INC. HIRES ANDREW T.
BENOIT, M.S., P.G. AS SENIOR GEOLOGIST
Ellis & Associates, Inc. (E&A) welcomes Andrew T. (Toby)
Benoit, M.S., P.G. to the team as senior geologist in their
environmental engineering department. Benoit has 26 years of
experience in the environmental industry, including 21 years of
experience as an environmental consultant specializing in site
investigations and remediation. He has managed a variety of
projects for commercial, state and local government and federal
agency clients.
Sites with which he has been involved include automotive
service facilities, gas transmission tracts, landfills, military
installations, power plant projections, rail yards and
PDCA MEMBER NEWS
32 | QUARTER 1 2015
/PDA
/
/www.coxwood.com
