PAST PRESIDENTS
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dynamic pile analysis and LPile much more widely used. This in
turn has improved the efficiency and reliability of pile design.
Unfortunately, to echo Buck, at least in the Northeast the work
has become considerably tougher. Certainly, competition from
a significantly increased number of competing deep foundation
systems has not helped. But beyond that, more responsibility for
the performance of projects and required documentation of the
aspects of the work and the associated costs and risk have been
placed on the contractor. Budgets, both private and public, have
become much tighter, with the result being it has become far more
difficult to get paid for unanticipated changes in the work.
MJ: We’ve seen a lot of consolidation in the industry – more big
companies, fewer small companies. That’s changed the overall feel
of the industry. It’s more like a “business;” I think there’s a little
less passion.
LM: Over the last 25 years, the greater adoption of designbuild
contracting practices has led to innovation, optimization,
improved performance and better service to clients.
SC: European equipment technology moving into the U.S. market
combined with owners and engineers exploring deep foundation
applications competing with the traditional driven pile have significantly
changed the deep foundations landscape. The driven pile
is competing with a dozen more applications than it was 25 years
ago, if not more. Owners and engineers are more willing to try out
a new product if it has the potential to save them time and money.
PDCA past president Randy Dietel (left) and Buck Darling at the 2016
Annual Conference in New Orleans, La.
From your perspective, how has PDCA evolved over
the last 25 years?
HR: When I was PDCA president, one of my main focuses was to
reinforce that PDCA should be the voice of the pile driving industry.
FHWA, AASHTO and others write standards that affect what
we do, and they seek industry input in writing those standards.
Before PDCA, pile driving contractors were underrepresented and
alternatives to driven piles had a distinct advantage.
PDCA has done an excellent job of working with and listening
to our engineering partners. We have been blessed to have so many
well-respected design professionals who truly understand the benefits
of driven piles and help us communicate that to others who
design what we do.
Dale Biggers and the Technical Committee have done a
remarkable job of representing PDCA to revise sections of the
International Building Code (IBC).
BD: I think the biggest evolution of PDCA has to do with its start as
a technical organization devoted to installation products, means
and methods of the driven pile, and its evolution into an organization
that addresses all aspects of the industry. This change is
most notably in the front-end operations of my company like risk
assessment, liability issues, insurance coverage issues and the like.
I also note the evolution of the group into a very social organization
that deals with not only the technical, but with human issues
through friendship and collaboration. This is the greatest power of
our association!
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