PAST PRESIDENTS
DC: I have not been a member from what might be called the “early
days,” but I have been around a while. I attended the first strategic
planning meeting.
When I started being active, there was an amazing group of
people involved in PDCA. PDCA was formed by those in the field
who felt that the industry needed a group to promote the benefits
of driven pile as other deep foundation systems were becoming
popular. The association started to become a resource for the
FHWA after we provided a significant rewriting of AASHTO’s
pile design.
However, we were still trying to find a larger voice, to become a
player in the foundation industry. As the association grew, so did
our ability to broaden our efforts. Our conferences grew in content
and variety. We started partnering with other groups, the most
notable partnership being for IFCEE. PileDriver magazine grew in
content and quality.
But I think the turning point for PDCA was the rewrite of
the IBC.
Structural engineers in California were looking to propose
some modifications to the driven pile requirements in the IBC.
They reached out to members of the PDCA Technical Committee,
and the committee agreed to help. There is not a separate section
for driven pile requirements as it is a combined section for deep
foundations. As such, the entire section needed to be rewritten,
and Dale Biggers, the committee chair, recognized that the best
way to do this was to invite all groups to the table.
Despite often having competing lines of work, there was a
tremendous cooperation between all groups and most of the recommendations
have been adopted. This was a very important
Larry Moore and Scott Callaway have a discussion at a PDCA
board meeting during IFCEE 2018
accomplishment. But the thing that struck me the most was
the increase in respect we received from others in the deep
foundation industry.
So, in the 20 years or so that I’ve been involved, I would summarize
the change in PDCA as an organization trying to find its voice
in the construction industry to actually finding it. The question
now is, having found it, where do we go from here?
In your opinion, what do you think PDCA needs to do
to be valuable to members for the next 25 years?
SG: PDCA should be zeroing in on how to compete to make driven
piles more economical with ground improvement and other
methods out there right now.
WW: My opinion is that the most important area to concentrate on
is the expansion of local chapters. Specific issues vary geographically
and there is no “one size fits all” solution. As an example,
PDCA’s first chapter, the PDCA of South Carolina Chapter, has
developed an unbelievable dialogue between contractors, local
designers and geotechs. Chapter meetings generally consist of a
blend of professionals from the industry, and there is communication
between all of these professionals. It creates a “win-win” for all
involved. We need more of that.
HR: I agree with Wayne – promote the growth of local chapters
and provide them with program ideas to keep them focussed.
Camaraderie is certainly a major benefit of a local chapter, but the
danger is that they can become quasi-social clubs. PDCA needs to
help chapters stay focused on the mission – to promote the use of
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