Annual Conference: The PDCA Annual
Conference is held each year, generally in April. This
internationally recognized conference provides a forum
for experts from industry, private business, government
and academia to discuss key trends and issues within
the driven pile industry with those who rely on information
and technology to improve their business.
Design and Installation of Cost-Efficient Piles
(DICEP): Held each fall since 2000, this exclusive
PDCA program presents modern approaches to maximize
the Efficiency, Effectiveness and Economy (E3)
of driven piles through a series of engineering focused
presentations. DICEP is designed primarily for geotechnical,
structural and civil engineers, but presents
relevant information for contractors and other firms or
individuals who support, conduct business or are associated
with the deep foundations, earth retention and/or
the driven pile industry.
Professors’ Driven Pile Institute (PDPI): This
intensive, weeklong program is designed to instruct
engineering educators in all aspects of driven pile installation,
design and quality control. The PDPI blends
practical, real-world construction knowledge with academics
and has been attended by more than 180 university
and college representatives who teach driven pile
applications in an academic environment. The biennial
program is held at Utah State University and is funded
100 percent by PDCA and its members.
Deep Foundation Dynamic Testing and Analysis
(DFDTA): PDCA, in collaboration with Pile
Dynamics, Inc., conducts several DFDTA seminars and
workshops annually. Each seminar or workshop generally
includes information on deep foundation integrity
testing, wave equation analysis and high strain dynamic
foundation testing. This course is designed primarily
for individuals involved in the design, construction and
specification of deep foundations, as well as foundation
testing professionals, professors and students already
familiar with the basic concepts of deep foundation
dynamic testing and analysis.
PDCA also provides the Dynamic Measurement
and Analysis Proficiency Test designed to reflect the
user’s level of knowledge and ability, which is then indicated
in a “Certificate of Proficiency.” Individuals who
qualify to support dynamic measurement and analysis
testing are listed on the PDCA website as a reference
for end-users.
Pile Driving Inspectors Course: This one-day
course is designed for those who inspect pile-driving
operations during construction of foundations and
major structures. The course presents information on
the inspector’s role, hammers and installation equipment,
pile types, contractor’s submittal and review process,
establishing PD criteria, record-keeping and monitoring
and common problems. PDCA typically invites
state DOT personnel to discuss local practices in the
state in which the program is offered.
Pile Load Testing Options: This one-day course
discusses the benefits of a well thought out, quality load
test program to provide an overall economic advantage
and provide data to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness
of a pile load test schedule. The seminar concludes
with an overview of the various dynamic and static pile
load testing options available in today’s industry.
Pile Driving Professionals Development Course:
This exclusive, eight-hour PDCA course is designed to
strengthen the professionalism, knowledge and overall
comprehension of the pile driving professional (field
personnel, sales, engineers, estimators, etc.) by exploring
critical areas of the pile driving industry through a
one-day interactive training workshop. The workshop
is structured to include discussions and interactive sessions,
which will provide detailed information necessary
to achieve a solid foundation of industry skill sets
required by entry level professionals in the pile driving
industry to successfully develop in their profession.
Joint seminars and cooperative support:
PDCA works with other organizations, such as the
GeoInstitute of American Society of Civil Engineers,
Structural Engineers Association, Edmonton
Geotechnical Society, Calgary Geotechnical Society,
the Deep Foundations Institute and the International
Association of Foundation Drilling.
Communications,
Business Networking and
Client Development
Communications
PileDriver Magazine: Produced on a quarterly basis
and distributed to over 3,000 subscribers, PileDriver
provides current industry trends, information about
upcoming events, the latest in technology, case histories
and legal topics relevant to the pile driving industry. The
magazine also features PDCA member profiles and
project spotlights. PileDriver has become the premier
publication for the deep foundation industry. PDCA
encourages article submissions by PDCA members and
guests.
www.piledrivers.org: The PDCA website is an
expansive resource to anyone seeking information about
PDCA, PDCA members or the pile driving industry
in general. The site includes information on the benefits
of driven pile, membership, advertising, leadership
and committees, chapters, events, publications, gallery,
reference links, news and the PDCA Store. Visitors
to the site can search for member companies or services
and products by State or Region; visitors can also
download data on Noise and Vibration and the PDCA
Installation Specification for Driven Pile (PDCA
Specification 103-07 – Private Work).
E-Letter: PDCA distributes an electronic newsletter
on a monthly basis. The E-Letter is designed to keep
members up-to-date on all PDCA upcoming activities
and events.
Membership Directory: Produced annually, the
PDCA Membership Directory provides a listing of all
PDCA member companies, including company name,
main and optional employee contacts, address, phone,
fax, email, website and a description of work performed
by the company. Companies can also elect to have their
logos included with their company information.
Calendar: Produced annually and distributed in
November with pages from December to December, the
calendar lists all upcoming PDCA activities that have
been scheduled at the time of printing.
Business
Networking
and Client
Development:
Membership in PDCA
offers numerous opportunities
to conduct business
networking and
client development at
every conference, educational
program, committee
meeting and social
function. Networking
opportunities exist not
only on a member-tomember
basis, but also
with guests via relationships
developed
between PDCA and
public agencies, such as
FHWA, AASHTO,
Corps of Engineers and
State DOTs. PDCA
also maintains liaisons
with other industry
associations, working
with them on issues of
mutual concern.
Whether it is member
to-member or member
to-guest, through
conferences, educational
programs or committee
participation, the
opportunity to develop
new client relationships
is ever-present. The
chance to strengthen
relationships with clients
or re-connect with old
friends is also part of the
PDCA experience. t
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
18 | QUARTER 3 2015
/www.piledrivers.org
