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BEATY
CONSTRUCTION
Heavy Industri a l , Highway, Demol i t ion
Beaty, Inc. is a heavy
highway and civil
and deep foundation
contractor with
specialties in
design-build
delivery.
CONTACT US:
(317) 835-2254
beatyinc.com
Over 20 years of building
hose and fi ttings bundles
for the pile driving industry…
We can help
make a positive
impact on your
next job.
Over 40 years of experience in supplying
hose & ttings to the Pacic Nor thwest.
Hydraulic, Industrial & Marine Grade Hose Specialists • Hydrostatic Pressure Testing & Certication
Petroleum Handling Equipment • Marine Grade Fittings & Accessories • Sheet Rubber, Gasket Material & Adhesives
Proud to be Employee Owned.
Toll Free: 800-678-1999
www.pacifi crubberinc.com
In order to get fresh ideas and people, we need to keep up all
the efforts being made to increase membership across all classes,
especially where contractor members are concerned. We need
diverse members from across the country in order to draw in all
the regional differences that would help PDCA start new chapters,
stay relevant across the country and face industry challenges.
There will always be challenges and change!
People may get a good laugh at this one, coming from me, but
PDCA needs to take a measured approach to political and legislative
advocacy for the industry. In states like New York, regulation
is a nonstop train just waiting to mow down anyone in its way. We
need to have a voice in the political theater to keep from getting
run over by unfair pile driving bans, building codes and specifications
(the PDCA Technical Committee has worked very hard
on this) and overreaching workers compensation liability, among
other things.
DC: I think the most important objective would be training and
certification. The driven pile is an excellent choice for many – but
not all – sites where deep foundations are required. Sheet pile
and soldier piles can solve a plethora of earth retention problems,
especially with many recent innovations. However, to apply these
foundations to maximum value is truly a combination of art and
science. Sadly, many engineers, architects, owners and even GCs
don’t understand much about these systems.
If a project needs a deep foundation, I would like to see the
owner or architect say, “Let’s get a PDCA engineer to look at this
problem.” And then say, “Let’s find a PDCA contractor and PDCA
testing agency to install the piles and ensure we have the foundation
we need.” And of course, PDCA contractors should buy materials
and equipment from PDCA suppliers.
PDCA needs to be recognized in the general construction
and engineering community as a brand of reliability. In short, we
need those who need deep foundation products to look for the
PDCA logo.
RS: I think PDCA ought to get into more virtual meetings – for
safety, legal, insurance, pile driving specifications, etc. All those
things need to be featured regularly because I think you’ll be more
likely to get the next generation involved.
Randy Dietel is a PDCA past president and his son, Kristian,
took over his company. Kristian and my son are good friends.
Kristian met his bride about four or five years ago in Orlando at a
PDCA meeting. We need to build on those kinds of relationships.
Us “old farts” are leaving the industry and we have to do something
to press the button for millennials.
LM: PDCA needs to continue to propel and educate the industry
and our clients at both the local and national level. We
also need engagement in our nation’s conversation regarding
infrastructure renewal.
SC: PDCA needs to vigorously promote use of the driven pile. After
all, a driven pile is a tested pile. Promotion must continue to be in
the form of education to owners and engineers on the applications,
benefits and advantages to selecting the driven pile over other
competing deep foundation types. t
36 | ISSUE 4 2020 www.piledrivers.org
/sheet-piling.com
/beatyinc.com
/www.pacifi
/crubberinc.com
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