PileDriver 6 2023

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE PILE DRIVING CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION ISSUE 6 2023 | VOLUME 20 | NO.
PORT FREEPORT
VELASCO TERMINAL
BERTH 8
McCarthy Building Companies works on the largest
public port project on the Texas Gulf Coast
Dear Darling: Recruiting & Retaining the

Next Generation of Workers
DICEP 2023: Here’s What You Missed
Disruption Claims on Construction Projects

HAMMERS
Locations
&
Phone Numbers
APE Northwest / Corporate Headquarters
We Drive Piledriving Technology. 7032 South 196th St.
Kent, Washington 98032
Just Ask a Piledriver. (253) 872-0141
ALL NEW DESIGN

APE Western Regional Office
2985 Loomis Rd.
FOR MAXIMUM
Stockton, California 95205
(209) 942-2166
PRODUCTIVITY APE Northeast Regional Office

401 Hartle St.
Sayreville, New Jersey 08872
How? More info... (732) 432-6604
APE Southeast Regional Office

1345 Industrial Park Rd.
Mulberry, Florida 33860
(863) 324-0378
APE Mid-Western Regional Office

50 Gerber Industrial Drive
St. Peters, Missouri 63376
(636) 397-8400
APE Gulf Regional Office

Model Energy (Ft-lbs) Energy (kNm) 3975 FM Hwy 1485
Conroe, Texas 77306
15-5 150,000 203 (936) 271-1044
20-5 200,000 271 APE Mid-Atlantic Regional Office

500 Newtown Rd. #200
25-5 250,000 339 Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462
(757) 518-9740
30-5 300,000 407 APE Canada Office
1002 7th Street
Nisku, Alberta, Canada T9E 7P2
(780) 474-9888
800-248-8498 APE Mexico & Central America Office

Avenida Periferico Sur 7800, Sta. Ma Tequetexpan
www.Americanpiledriving.com
Tlaquepaque, Guadalajara Jalisco, Mexico CP. 45601
(786) 991-6875 | (877) 457-5022
Copyright © 2023 American Piledriving Equipment Inc. All Rights Reserved
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE PILE DRIVING CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION ISSUE 6 2023 | VOLUME 20 | NO. 6
PORT FREEPORT
VELASCO TERMINAL
BERTH 8


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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Issue 6 2023 | Volume 20 | No. 6
WORKING IN THE WATER

Marine Projects to Inspire You
78
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE PILE DRIVING CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION ISSUE 6 2023 | VOLUME 20 | NO. 6
Desalination Plant Test in Long Beach

This test program is intended to study a new and less intrusive
PORT FREEPORT
VELASCO TERMINAL way of stripping out seawater to make it safe for consumption
BERTH 8
Galveston Berth 10 Marine Improvements Project

84
Russell Marine LLC helps transform the shores of Galveston, Texas

Ocean Transport Barge Berth

90
Cover and above photos: Kokosing builds critical infrastructure to support

McCarthy Building Companies
submarine construction for the U.S. Navy
Port Freeport Velasco Terminal Berth 8

McCarthy Building Companies works on the largest 94
project built by a public port on the Texas Gulf Coast
www.piledrivers.org PILEDRIVER | 3
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
President’s Message 7
Executive Director’s Message 11
Board of Directors 20
Standing Committee 21
Leadership and Members
PDCA Member Benefits 25 55

PDCA Members 28
CAREER STORY
Photo: DuroTerra
Dear Darling: 31
Attracting and retaining employees today Brendan Fitzpatrick, DuroTerra
PDCA Chapter Updates 37

Top of the Pile 52
Industry News 107
SAFETY
PDCA Toolbox Talks: 17
Working Platforms Part II
PDCA EVENTS AND WEBINARS

70
42
Photo: PND Engineers, Inc.

PDCA MEMBER PROFILE
WRAP-UP PND Engineers, Inc.
Design and Installation of 45

Cost-Efficient Piles 2023 Conference
Deep Foundation Dynamic Testing 49

and Analysis Workshop & Seminar
PDCA MEMBER PROFILES

Taylor Marine 58
Gerdau 63
Essve Tech 67 101
Image: lightwise/123RF
LEGAL
IN MEMORIAM Overview of Disruption Claims
on Construction Projects
Remembering Bill Zoino 105
4 | ISSUE 6 2023 www.piledrivers.org

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE

PILE DRIVING CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION
23 Things PDCA
Issue 6 2023 | Volume 20, No. 6
Published for Accomplished

in 2023
33 Knight Boxx Road, Suite 1 By Brian Heck, President, PDCA
Orange Park, FL 32065
Phone: 904-215-4771
A
www.piledrivers.org
info@piledrivers.org
Published by s 2023 comes to a close, I 5. Every local PDCA chapter held meet-
thought it would be fun to ings and events that were well attend-
look back at the year as we ed and supported by regional industry
look forward to 2024. members. From clay shoots to casino
I think we can all agree that as an indus- nights, it’s exciting to see PDCA grow
701 Henry Ave.
Winnipeg, MB R3E 1T9 try, we’ve faced challenges over the last 12 at local levels.
Toll-free: 866-953-2189 months – from labor shortages and hiring 6. Speaking of chapters, the PDCA South
www.lester.ca
concerns to escalating costs and supply chain Carolina Chapter celebrated 20 years
President, Jeff Lester disruptions… I’ll say this: it’s a good thing in 2023. Amazing.
Publisher, Jill Harris
Sales & Art Director, Myles O’Reilly that we are an industry of problem-solvers. 7. We saw more movement at the local level,
But amid challenges, PDCA has accom- with three regional networking events
EDITORIAL
plished some incredible things this year. I’m that were free to industry professionals in
Managing Editor, Lindsay Risto certainly proud to be part of this organization. Chicago, Boston and Baltimore. We’ll be
Associate Editors, Ligia Braidotti, Margaret Spratt
Here’s my list of 23 things that PDCA watching those regions closely with the
ADVERTISING accomplished in 2023. aim to establish future chapters.
Senior Account Executives, Quinn Bogusky, 1. In January, the PDCA Board of 8. PDCA held two Deep Foundations
Louise Peterson, Darryl Sawchuk Directors participated in an important Dynamic Testing and Analysis
Account Executives, Manish Aggarwal,
Alan Cho, Carson Wortley strategic planning session, setting the (DFDTA) Seminars and Workshops, in
strategic direction for the association. conjunction with Pile Dynamics, Inc.,
DESIGN & LAYOUT
I was honored having been elected the in Florida and Ohio.
Senior Graphic Designers, Daniel Costa, John Lyttle
first-ever consecutive two-year PDCA 9. PDCA developed and hosted the first-
Online Media Designer, Mark Aquino
Web Developer, Matt Rock president. And you’ll still be seeing my ever Engineers Driven Pile Institute,
name: I will be staying on as PDCA designed to provide engineers who have
DISTRIBUTION
Administration, Maryanne Li
president for a third consecutive year two to 10 years’ experience with the
© 2023 Pile Driving Contractors Association. for the 2024 term. I’m incredibly proud knowledge and tools to specify driven
All rights reserved. The contents of this publication to serve the organization in this capac- pile foundations, as a means to fill the
may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in ity and humbled by the faith that the gap in driven pile foundation content
part, without the prior written consent of PDCA.
members have shown in me. in current undergraduate curriculums.
PileDriver magazine is published six times per year.
Visit the PDCA website at www.piledrivers.org for more
2. PDCA hosted its annual conference in 10. We received more entries than ever before
information or to download an advertising media kit. San Diego – including an incredible golf in the PDCA Project of the Year Awards,
Individual articles can be provided upon request to the PDCA tournament at Torrey Pines – and the with eight winning projects announced
office. Requests should be submitted to PDCA via email at
event exceeded all our expectations. in Issue 4 of PileDriver magazine.
info@piledrivers.org or by calling 888-311-PDCA (7322).
Please contact us by mail at:
From a busy exhibit hall to insightful 11. PDCA updated its social media strategy,
33 Knight Boxx Road, Suite 1, Orange Park, FL 32065 learning experiences to our panel dis- focusing on its LinkedIn presence and
Phone: 904-215-4771 | Fax: 904-215-2977 cussion with several PDCA past presi- growing engagement on that platform.
or by email at info@piledrivers.org
dents, feedback was outstanding. 12. PDCA sponsored and participated in
Statements of fact and opinion are the responsibility
of the authors alone and do not imply an opinion on
3. PDCA continued the Value Driven the Foundation & Marine Contractors
the part of the officers or members of the Pile Driving Webinar Series, offering free learning Association of New England’s 88th
Contractors Association. Materials may not be reproduced
opportunities to PDCA members and Annual Golf Outing, further developing
or translated without written permission. Direct requests
for reprint permission should be made to the executive non-members every month. PDCA’s presence in that region.
director of the Pile Driving Contractors Association. 4. The PDCA Safety Committee, led by 13. PDCA attended GeoCongress 2023 in
Printed in Canada. Chris Normand of Cajun Industries, Los Angeles.
Please recycle where facilities exist.
LLC, reinvigorated the PDCA Toolbox 14. The Design and Installation of Cost-
Talks, with a new Toolbox Talk in every Efficient Piles (DICEP) conference in
issue of PileDriver in 2023. Houston was a tremendous success,
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
alongside the PDCA Texas Chapter’s sold- 21. The PDCA Communications Committee as many PDCA members as possible, both
out inaugural golf tournament, which revamped the PileDriver nameplate at showing the latest and greatest pile driving
kicked off the 1.5-day technical program. the beginning of 2023, refreshing the equipment and solutions, in technical meet-
15. Mohamad Hussein, P.E., with GRL look of the magazine’s front cover after ings, and walking the Exhibit Hall. This is
Engineers, Inc. and Pile Dynamics, spending 10 years with the previous one event you can’t miss.
Inc., accepted the crucial role of PDCA version. The committee also added a PDCA as an organization continues to
Technical Committee chair. new column to the magazine – one that grow, and I sincerely thank the PDCA staff –
16. David Borger, P.E., with Nucor Skyline, I’ve enjoyed immensely – called Dear Frank Peters, Matt Bisbee, Kathy Harper and
also took on a committee leadership Darling, offering advice and insights on Marian Phillips – for their time, energy, exper-
role, stepping into the chair position for myriad industry issues from PDCA past tise and knowledge. I also thank our dedicat-
the PDCA Steel Sheet Pile Committee. president Buck Darling. ed Executive Committee, Board of Directors,
17. Importantly, the PDCA Steel Sheet Pile 22. PDCA launched a vibration study PDCA chapter leaders and chairs and mem-
Committee established the Steel Sheet alongside Dr. Cathy Aimone-Martin. bers of the PDCA standing committees. You
Pile Resource Page under the Technical 23. The organization saw 44 new members are the lifeblood of this association, and your
Library on PDCA’s website – I highly join our ranks in 2023 (as of this writ- participation is what keeps driving us forward.
encourage you to rely on those resourc- ing). This far surpassed the new mem- PDCA members (and future members),
es, if you haven’t already found them. ber goal we set at the outset of the year, I encourage you to get more involved in
18. Frank Peters represented PDCA at and it’s a testament to the fact that 2024. Amazing things happen when you do.
the annual gathering of the UBC Pile PDCA is on the right track. Attend a chapter meeting, join a committee
Drivers and Divers in Las Vegas, deliv- call, register for a webinar or spend the day
ering a presentation to the crowd on That list is not exhaustive – it’s been a at an in-person event. You won’t regret it.
behalf of the association. busy year at PDCA, but we’ve had a lot of I look forward to serving the PDCA
19. PDCA attended CONEXPO in Las success and some triumphant moments. I’ll membership in 2024 – I can’t wait to see
Vegas, where many PDCA members add a bonus entry – as a partner organiza- what the year brings.
showed off their equipment. tion, PDCA continues to participate in the As always, please reach out to me with
20. PDCA served as a cooperating organization planning for the International Foundations suggestions, comments, questions, feed-
for both the Deep Foundations Institute’s Congress & Equipment Expo, which takes back – I want to hear it all. Email me
SuperPile ’23 and the DFI 48th Annual place May 7–10, 2024, in Dallas, Texas. at bheck@goettle.com. And remember: A
Conference, and attended both events. Registration opened Dec. 1, and I hope to see driven pile is a tested pile. t

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Thickness Weight Section Modulus Coating Area

Moment Cross
Width Height of Sectional Both
Section (w) (h) Flange Web Pile Wall Elastic Plastic Inertia Area Sides of Wall
Single1 Surface
in in in in lb/ft lb/ft2 in3/ft in3/ft in4/ft in2/ft ft2/ft ft2/ft2
(mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) (kg/m) (kg/m) (cm3/m) (cm3/m) (cm4/m) (cm2/m) (m2/m) (m2/m2)
ZZ12-700 27.56 12.37 0.339 0.335 45.62 19.86 22.5 26.4 138.9 5.84 5.62 1.23
700 314.2 8.6 8.5 67.9 97.0 1208 1418 18,971 123.5 1.72 1.23
ZZ13-700 27.56 12.41 0.378 0.374 49.84 21.70 24.3 28.7 150.9 6.38 5.62 1.23
700 315.2 9.6 9.5 74.2 105.9 1308 1543 20,611 135.0 1.72 1.23
ZZ14-700 27.56 12.45 0.417 0.413 54.07 23.54 26.2 31.0 163.0 6.92 5.62 1.23
700 316.2 10.6 10.5 80.5 114.9 1408 1669 22,262 146.4 1.72 1.23
ZZ12-770 30.31 13.52 0.339 0.335 48.92 19.37 23.3 23.3 157.4 5.71 6.07 1.32
770 343.5 8.6 8.5 72.8 94.5 1252 1488 21,496 120.8 1.85 1.32
ZZ13-770 30.31 13.54 0.358 0.354 51.22 20.28 24.3 24.3 164.3 5.98 6.07 1.32
770 344 9.1 9.0 76.2 99.0 1304 1551 22,433 126.5 1.85 1.32
ZZ14-770
30.31 13.56 0.378 0.375 53.52 21.19 25.2 25.2 171.1 6.25 6.07 1.32
770 344.5 9.6 9.5 79.6 103.4 1357 1613 23,370 132.2 1.85 1.32
ZZ17-700 27.56 16.54 0.335 0.331 49.26 21.45 32.3 37.8 266.7 6.28 6.10 1.33
700 420 8.5 8.4 73.3 104.7 1735 2032 36,425 132.8 1.86 1.33
ZZ18-700 27.56 16.56 0.358 0.354 51.58 22.46 33.6 39.8 278.3 6.57 6.10 1.33
700 420.5 9.1 9.0 76.7 109.6 1807 2132 38,001 139.1 1.86 1.33
ZZ19-700 27.56 16.57 0.378 0.375 53.90 23.47 35.0 41.2 289.8 6.87 6.10 1.33
700 421 9.6 9.5 80.2 114.6 1880 2210 39,578 145.4 1.86 1.33
ZZ20-700 27.56 16.59 0.398 0.394 56.22 24.48 36.3 42.9 301.4 7.17 6.10 1.33
700 421.5 10.1 10.0 83.7 119.5 1953 2304 41,155 151.7 1.86 1.33
ZZ24-700
27.56 18.08 0.445 0.441 64.39 28.04 45.3 53.7 409.7 8.24 6.34 1.38
700 459.2 11.3 11.2 95.8 136.9 2437 2875 55,949 174.4 1.93 1.38
ZZ26-700 27.56 18.12 0.484 0.480 69.21 30.13 48.4 57.1 438.2 8.85 6.34 1.38
700 460.2 12.3 12.2 103.0 147.1 2601 3071 59,843 187.4 1.93 1.38
ZZ27-700 27.56 18.14 0.504 0.500 71.48 31.12 49.8 57.5 451.4 9.14 6.34 1.38
700 460.7 12.8 12.7 106.4 152.0 2676 3089 61,641 193.6 1.93 1.38
ZZ28-700 27.56 18.16 0.524 0.520 74.02 32.23 51.4 61.0 466.8 9.47 6.34 1.38
700 461.2 13.3 13.2 110.1 157.3 2764 3278 63,740 200.4 1.93 1.38
ZZ36-700 27.56 19.65 0.594 0.441 79.80 34.75 66.9 77.3 657.2 10.21 6.74 1.46
700 499.2 15.1 11.2 118.7 169.6 3596 4151 89,753 216.1 2.05 1.46
ZZ38-700 27.56 19.69 0.634 0.480 85.02 37.02 70.6 81.2 695.6 10.88 6.74 1.46
700 500.2 16.1 12.2 126.5 180.7 3798 4363 94,984 230.2 2.05 1.46
ZZ40-700 27.56 19.73 0.673 0.520 90.24 39.29 74.4 85.8 733.9 11.54 6.74 1.46
700 501.2 17.1 13.2 134.3 191.8 3999 4610 100,219 244.4 2.05 1.46
ZZ42-700 27.56 19.65 0.713 0.551 96.08 41.83 78.7 90.9 772.9 12.29 6.76 1.47
700 499.2 18.1 14 143.0 204.2 4228 4882 105,543 260.2 2.06 1.47
ZZ44-700 27.56 19.69 0.752 0.591 101.30 44.11 82.5 94.8 812.4 12.96 6.76 1.47
700 500.2 19.1 15 150.7 215.3 4436 5096 110,942 12.96 2.06 1.47
ZZ46-700 27.56 19.73 0.791 0.630 106.53 46.38 86.2 99.4 850.6 13.63 6.76 1.47
700 501.2 20.1 16 158.5 226.5 4635 5343 116,159 288.5 2.06 1.47
ZZ48-700 27.56 19.81 0.870 0.591 107.09 46.63 89.1 102.9 882.2 13.70 6.76 1.47
700 503.2 22.1 15 159.3 227.6 4788 5528 120,467 290.0 2.06 1.47
ZZ50-700 27.56 19.85 0.909 0.630 112.06 48.79 92.5 106.3 918.0 14.34 6.76 1.47
700 504.2 23.1 16 166.7 238.2 4973 5713 125,358 303.4 2.06 1.47
ZZ52-700 27.56 19.89 0.949 0.669 117.15 51.01 96.0 110.7 954.9 14.99 6.76 1.47
700 505.2 24.1 17 174.3 249.0 5162 5951 130,403 317.2 2.06 1.47
ZZ48-580 22.83 18.98 0.756 0.594 93.99 49.40 89.3 103.3 847.3 14.52 6.20 1.64
580 482 19.2 15.1 139.9 241.1 4801 5555 115,712 307.2 1.90 1.64
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
The Value of Association

Membership is More
than Paying Dues
By Frank T. Peters, Executive Director, PDCA
I started this discussion in Issue 5 of PileDriver magazine with

my Executive Director’s message, “Association Membership
Is More Than Paying Dues.” In that article, I issued a call to
action to every PDCA member to get involved in the work of the
association.
Sadly, the “many” are letting the “few” do most of the work. We
Please read or re-read my article in Issue 5 for suggestions for areas
needing assistance.
Since this is the last issue of PileDriver magazine for 2023, it’s
a great place to address an issue similar to my message in Issue 5
but from a different perspective. This will also set the tone for our
significant efforts beginning Jan. 1, 2024. My central theme in Issue
need members who are sitting on the sidelines to get in the game. 5 was that being a member of PDCA takes more than writing a
There is too much work to be done to represent and advance the check. It requires the member to get involved in the activity of the
driven pile industry to think that the few who are actively involved association. This time, I want to address the idea of the “value” of
can carry this entire load. So, once again, I’m asking all PDCA association membership and how the member can attain it.
members to consider a place in the association where you can Whenever we talk with someone about joining PDCA, we
serve and help shoulder the work that needs to be accomplished. almost always end up at the same place with two primary
Photo: Mark Skalny Photography
questions: What is the value of association membership, and how

much does it cost?
These two ideas, value and cost, are inextricably linked but have
very different meanings. The person is essentially asking, “What is
The value of association the association going to do for me if I give you my money?”
A trade association is not a commodity that can be delivered
membership is not as a sales transaction. A trade association is a living, breath-
ing, dynamic organization that reacts to industry conditions,
purchased by paying responds to member input and forges programs, activities and
deliverables to address the ongoing needs and concerns of the
dues. The value of industry and the association members. The association pro-
vides systematic opportunities for a collection of companies
association membership and/or individuals with common interests who work in the
same industry to collectively address concerns for the good
is gained by participating
and advancement of the line of business the organization rep-
resents. This is accomplished with a not-for-profit status that
allows the trade association to use most of its income for the
and engaging with industry’s good. The association does not represent any compa-
ny, individual, product or service but rather a business line cov-
other members in the ering a broad group. So, this description of a trade association
begs the question, “Where is the value?” It’s a good question. It’s
resources, activities a fair question. Let me use the following example to illustrate.
An individual decides they need to get in shape, so they join
and programs available a health club and agree to pay the annual membership fee. This
individual goes to the health club for an orientation to find out
through the association. what is available and learns that there are individual weights,
group classes, online resources, networking events, social activi-
ties, instructors and education classes, a nutrition coach, a store
with exercise books, videos, clothing and a knowledgeable, helpful,
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friendly staff. In the first month, the individual makes it to the

gym two times. In the second month, the individual makes it to
the gym three times. In the third month, the individual makes it
to the gym two times. In the fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth
months, the individual was so busy they didn’t go to the gym. In
the ninth month, the individual recommits and makes it to the
gym five times. The 10th, 11th and 12th months happen during the
holiday season, and the individual only makes it to the gym twice.
In the 12 months of membership, the individual doesn’t use any
of the resources the health club provides, such as group classes,
instructors and education programs, online resources or attend
any networking or social events. When it comes time for member-
ship renewal, the individual concludes that the health club has no
“value” and decides to quit.
Interpipe Inc. is a steel pipe distributor of new
This is precisely what happens in a trade association. Members
and used structural steel pipe. We have several
pay their dues expecting value to appear at their door or in their
large stocking locations of Seamless, ERW,
inbox. In reality, the association member, like the health club mem-
Spiralweld and DSAW pipe.
ber, must open the door and participate in the available opportuni-
ties. It’s about participation and engagement. The “value” is there 2" OD – 48" OD in a variety of wall thicknesses
all along. The member must access it to realize its worth. are stocked in all locations.
PDCA has opportunities for every member to get involved at
every level of interest and experience. The association provides Piling Pipe 80,000 min yield seamless pipe for
online resources, annual education programs and conferenc- Micro Piling.
es, networking events, social activities, collaboration with other
industry organizations and a knowledgeable, helpful, friendly staff. Seamless and ERW pipe for Driven Piles,
PDCA even has an online store to purchase a logo shirt or jacket, Screw Piles and Drill Piles.
printed industry resources and industry-related media content.
All of this is being produced regularly to benefit members and the Large Diameter pipe for Driven Piles or
industry. This is value! Caissons.
Let’s be honest with each other. The cost of membership in
PDCA is meager compared to the scope of the represented com-
panies. A Contractor III member with over $20 million in annual QUEBEC ONTARIO
sales will pay $3,500 annually for PDCA membership. This is the 805 1 ère Avenue 3320 Miles Road, RR#3
Ville Ste. Catherine, Quebec Mount Hope, Ontario
highest dues amount for a PDCA member, but it is extremely small J5C 1C5 L0R 1WO
compared to the company’s annual sales. However, suppose the
Local: (450) 638-3320 Local: (905) 679-6999
company participates in the opportunities that the association Toll Free: (888) 514-0040 Toll Free: (877) 468-7473
provides. In that case, it will realize value far and above the amount Fax: (450) 638-3340 Fax: (905) 679-6544
paid in dues.
The value of association membership is not purchased by pay-
ing dues. The value of association membership is gained by partici-
pating and engaging with other members in the resources, activi-
ties and programs available through the association.
Please let me state here that everything we say about member-
ship in PDCA also applies to membership in one or all of the five
PDCA chapters. PDCA members who have access to a PDCA chap-
ter should also actively participate in the programs and activities
offered at that level.
Suppose you are a non-PDCA member working in a discipline
related to the driven pile process in the deep foundation indus-
try. In that case, we invite you to consider joining the association
today. It’s an easy process that costs little money. Please join today
by visiting www.piledrivers.org/join-pdca. You can also call the
association office at 904-215-4771. Our knowledgeable, helpful,
friendly staff is happy to help with your membership questions.
If you are a current PDCA member actively involved, thank
you! Your efforts and hard work are making the association a suc-
cess for everyone. If you are a current PDCA member and need to
be more actively engaged in the association’s important business, www.interpipe.com
please join a Standing Committee, participate in a webinar, attend
Easier than A trade association is not

a commodity that can be
Welding delivered as a sales transaction.
Reduce work time at construction sites. A trade association is a living,
Tools which are necessary for breathing, dynamic organization
that reacts to industry
welding work at construction sites,
are not necessary
if you adopt our product,
conditions, responds to member
input and forges programs,
Laqnican Joint activities and deliverables to
For address the ongoing needs
Steel Pipe Piles. and concerns of the industry
and the association members.
an education program and use the online resources. PDCA will
succeed when its members get involved. We need you now more
than ever. Please get involved today.
We can rarely make guarantees, but I will make an exception in
this article. If you get involved and help shoulder the load for the
vital work that needs to be accomplished by PDCA, I guarantee:
1. You will gain more value from your membership than the
dollar amount you paid in annual PDCA dues.
2. You will personally benefit from the time you spend engag-
ing in PDCA-sponsored programs and activities.
3. Your company will benefit by engaging in PDCA-sponsored
programs and activities.
4. You will help to advance the driven pile industry.
5. You will meet some great people along the way.
Please contact As I was writing this article, I could not help but think about the
inaugural address on Jan. 20, 1961, by President John F. Kennedy,
Yohei Era
where he issued a now famous challenge to the country and the
Project Manager world. I want to end this article by applying his words to our great
yohei.era@kubota.com association and industry.
And so, my fellow PDCA members, ask not what the associa-
www.kubota.com
tion can do for you – ask what you can do for the association. My
fellow pile driving professionals and friends in the deep foundation
industry, ask not what PDCA will do for you, but what together we
can do to advance the driven pile process.
Thank you for reading these words. I believe in the work we
are accomplishing for PDCA. Please join us in this crucial effort to
advance the driven pile process.
Please accept my sincere and best wishes for a blessed, happy
and healthy conclusion to 2023 and a pleasurable, productive and
prosperous New Year! t

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TOOLBOX TALK
BUILDING A SAFE WORKING PLATFORM

Key Internal Processes
FACTS
z REGULATORY COMPLIANCE: Working platform programs
need to follow specific regulatory standards and guidelines
set by government authorities or industry organizations.
z ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY: The use of new
technology, such as geospatial monitoring and
OBJECTIVES modeling, has become more common in deep

foundation working platform programs.
z ENVIRONMENTAL: Deep foundation projects
increasingly emphasize environmental sustainability.
Techniques like using environmentally friendly materials,
reducing noise and vibration impact and minimizing
disturbance to the surrounding ecosystem are
becoming integral to modern construction practices.
z SAFETY: Ensuring safety is a

fundamental aspect of a working 1. Who should be responsible for overseeing the development
platform program. This includes and management of a working platform program? Typically,
setting up safety protocols, a dedicated team or individual within the organization,
conducting risk assessments and including project managers, safety officers and construction
involving professionals who can supervisors, should be responsible for the program.
provide expert guidance. 2. Why is it important to involve geotechnical engineers
z QUALITY CONTROL: Quality or soil stabilization experts in the development of a
control procedures, including working platform program? Geotechnical engineers or soil
inspections, material testing and stabilization experts can help make informed decisions and
documentation, are crucial to ensure that the program aligns with industry best practices.
maintain the program’s standards 3. What are some aspects that should be covered
and ensure project success. in the written guidelines of a working platform
z CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT: program? The guidelines should cover aspects such
Establishing a culture of as load-bearing capacity, material specifications,
continuous improvement within compaction methods and safety measures.
the organization is important. This 4. How can a company maintain the standards outlined
includes regular audits, feedback in its working platform program? Companies can
collection and adjustments to the achieve this by conducting regular inspections,
program based on lessons learned material testing and documentation of compliance
and team member suggestions. through quality control procedures.
Toolbox Talk Attendance
Project: _________________________________ Address: ______________________________
Employer: _______________________________ Supervisor: ____________________________
Date: _____________________ Time: _____________________ Shift: ____________________
Number In crew: ___________________________Number attending: _______________________
Other safety issues or suggestions made by crew members:

__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
Record of those attending:

Name: (please print) Signature: Company:
I.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Manager’s remarks: ______________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________
Manager: ________________________________ Supervisor: ____________________________

SAFETY
WORKING PLATFORMS PART II

PDCA TOOLBOX TALKS
Key Internal Processes for Establishing a Safe Working Platform Program
W
By Lance Bradley, PDCA Safety & Environmental Committee
hen it comes to deep This typically involves assigning a dedicated material specifications, compaction meth-
foundation construc- team or individual within your organization ods and safety measures. Ensure that these
tion, creating a working to oversee its development, implementation guidelines are easy to understand and fol-
platform program is essential for ensuring and ongoing management. Key stakehold- low, even for those with limited experience
safety and efficiency as well as successful ers may include project managers, safety in the field.
project outcomes. However, many compa- officers and construction supervisors. Internal training and education are vital
nies lack experience in developing written Before writing your working platform components that ensure all team members
guidelines and evaluations. guidelines, perform a thorough risk assess- understand and follow the working plat-
In this article, we will outline the inter- ment. Identify potential hazards related to form program. Conduct training sessions
nal processes that companies need to have construction sites, equipment and materi- that cover the guidelines, safety protocols
in place to establish a strong working plat- als. This assessment will help guide your and the importance of the working plat-
form program. safety protocols and guideline develop- form. Develop and implement quality con-
Start by defining clear and achievable ment. Involve geotechnical engineers or trol procedures to maintain the standards
objectives for your working platform pro- soil stabilization experts – these profession- outlined in your guidelines. This includes
gram. These objectives should encompass als can help you make informed decisions regular inspections, material testing and
Background: guinnexx/123RF
safety, quality and efficiency. Establishing and ensure that your program aligns with documentation of compliance. Internal
a clear vision will guide your internal pro- industry best practices. processes should ensure that deviations
cesses and help everyone understand the Create written guidelines that outline from the guidelines are properly document-
program’s purpose. the specific requirements for your working ed and addressed.
Next, determine who will be respon- platform. These guidelines should cover Establish internal safety protocols and
sible for the working platform program. aspects such as load-bearing capacity, practices that align with your working
SAFETY
platform guidelines. These may include pro-

cedures for erecting barrier fencing, posting
warning signs and conducting equipment Start by defining clear and achievable objectives
inspections. Safety should be a core compo-
nent of your company culture. Set up a sys- for your working platform program… a clear
tem for regular audits and reviews of your
working platform program. These internal vision will guide your internal processes and help
assessments will help you identify areas
for improvement, assess program effective- everyone understand the program’s purpose.
ness, and ensure that your guidelines are
up to date. Maintain a culture of continu- previous projects. Make adjustments to the ensuring safety, quality and efficiency on
ous improvement within your organiza- program as needed based on this feedback. your projects. With these internal processes
tion. Encourage team members to provide Creating a working platform program in place, your company will be prepared to
feedback, suggest enhancements to the requires a set of well-defined internal pro- safely perform work and achieve project
program, and share lessons learned from cesses. These processes are essential for success. t
PDCA thanks the sponsors of the PDCA Toolbox Talks for their generosity and commitment
to safe working practices and conditions throughout the pile driving industry.
custom cushion blocks, forming materials, hardwood lagging
lodgelumber.com • 1.800.856.6679

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PDCA 2023 Officers & Directors
PDCA OFFICERS
PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT
Brian Heck Kustaa Mansfield
Richard Goettle, Inc. Pacific Pile and Marine
Cincinnatti, Ohio Seattle, Washington
bheck@goettle.com kustaa@pacificpile.com
SECRETARY TREASURER
Herbert “Buck” Darling Scott Webster
Herbert F. Darling, Inc. GRL Engineers, Inc.
Tonawanda, New York Harrisburg, North Carolina
bdarling@hfdarling.com swebster@grlengineers.com
PAST PRESIDENT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Kevin Gourgues Frank Peters
Patriot Construction and Industrial, LLC Pile Driving Contractors Association
Port Allen, Louisiana Orange Park, Florida
keving@patriot-construction.com frank@piledrivers.org
PDCA DIRECTORS
Harold Baur Greg Canivan
Boh Bros. Construction Company, LLC S&ME, Inc.
New Orleans, Louisiana Mount Pleasant, South Carolina
hbaur@bohbros.com gcanivan@smeinc.com
James Dempsey Diane Fischer

Blakeslee, Arpaia, Chapman, Inc. Pile Dynamics, Inc.
Branford, Connecticut Cleveland, Ohio
jdempsey@bac-inc.com dfischer@pile.com
Randy Kelly
Doug Keller
Koppers Utility and Industrial
Richard Goettle, Inc.
Products, Inc.
Cincinnati, Ohio
Orangeburg, South Carolina
dkeller@goettle.com
kellyrj@koppers.com
Mike Juneau David Price

Premier Geotech and Testing, LLC Linde-Griffith Construction Company
Baton Rouge, Louisiana Newark, New Jersey
mike@premiergeotesting.com dprice@linde-griffith.com
Brad Roberts
GZA GeoEnvironmental
Boston, Massachusetts
bradford.roberts@gza.com
All Board of Directors members can be reached using their email addresses provided or contacting them through the PDCA office at 904-215-4771.
PDCA members are encouraged to reach out to any board officer or director to express your appreciation for their volunteer service to PDCA or to discuss
any issues or topics you may have regarding the association. They will be excited to hear from you.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS & COMMITTEE CHAIRS
PDCA CHAPTER REPRESENTATIVES

GULF COAST NORTHEAST
Dylan André Erich Kremer
Patriot Construction and Industrial, LLC R. Kremer & Son Marine Contractors, LLC
Port Allen, Louisiana Brick, New Jersey
dylana@patriot-construction.com erichkremer@comcast.net
PACIFIC COAST SOUTH CAROLINA

Dermot Fallon Representative TBD
Foundation Constructors, Inc.
Oakley, California
dfallon@oundationpile.com
TEXAS
Brandon Bicknell
Russell Marine LLC
Channelview, Texas
brandon.bicknell@russellmarinellc.com
PDCA Standing Committee Chairs & Members

ASSOCIATE MEMBER COUNCIL • Allen Kadow, Tadano America Corporation • Kevin Gourgues, Patriot Construction
• James Land, Tadano America Corporation and Industrial, LLC
• Ethan Liberty, Gerdau • Zac McIntosh, Terracon
• Rob Likens, Equipment Corporation of America • Richard Morales, Bull Moose Tube
CO-CHAIR/BOD LIAISON: • David Mendoza, American Piledriving Equipment • Barry Phillips, Kokosing
Diane Fischer • Shaun Nelson, Bauer Equipment America, Inc. • Matt Scerbak, Associated Pile & Fitting, LLC
Pile Dynamics, Inc. • Shane Pass, Hammer & Steel • J.J. Waguespack, Mississippi
dfischer@pile.com • Rick Sadler, ICE – International River Valley Equipment
Construction Equipment, Inc. • Sean Whyte, Bull Moose Tube
• Corey Sechler, Composite Group
CO-CHAIR:
Pollyanna Cunningham
• Franki Segura, American COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE
Piledriving Equipment
ICE – International • Garrett Smith, PVE Equipment
Construction Equipment, Inc. • Heath Stevens, Gulf Coast Prestress
pcunningham@iceusa.com / • Takefumi Takuma, Giken America CHAIR:
dreaney@iceusa.com • Ian Vaz, Giken America Jason Moore
• Andy West, Triad Metals International Palmetto Pile Driving, Inc.
• Nick Whisler, MKT Manufacturing jason@palmettopiledriving.com
Staff Liaison: Kathy Harper, PDCA
kathy@piledrivers.org • Steve Whitty
• Sean Whyte, Bull Moose Tube
Members: BOD Liaison: Diane Fischer, Pile Dynamics, Inc.
• Dean Abbondanza, JD Fields & Company CHAPTERS COMMITTEE dfischer@pile.com
• Ryan Allin, Pile Dynamics, Inc.
• Ric Anderson, Nucor Skyline Staff Liaison: Matt Bisbee, PDCA
• Martin Arcand, Gilbert Products CHAIR: matt@piledrivers.org
• Bruce Bradley, Bauer Equipment America, Inc. Harold Baur
• Reagan Bull, Tadano America Corporation Boh Bros. Construction Members:
• Nate Carruthers, Bull Moose Tube Copmany Co., LLC • Derek Brodnax, Service Steel Warehouse
• Eddie Clark, Samuel Roll Form Group hbaur@bohbros.com • Amy Cristiani, THI Pipe & Piling
• Steve Cress, American Piledriving Equipment • Pollyanna Cunningham, ICE – International
• Tom Dame, Hercules Machinery Corporation Construction Equipment, Inc.
• Tim Dittmeier, Hammer & Steel Staff Liaison: Matt Bisbee, PDCA • Dermot Fallon, Foundation Constructors, Inc.
• Dan Dragone, Bauer Equipment America, Inc. matt@piledrivers.org • Lauren Gara, Pile Dynamics, Inc.
• Tim Dutton, Junttan USA • Jill Harris, Lester Communications Inc.
• Doug Ford, Atlas Tube Members: • Karl Higgins, ECS, LLC
Background: bebuntoon/123RF
• Julie Fuller, Tadano America Corporation • Rich Anderson, Equipment • Jessica Lambert, Beard Construction
• Lauren Gara, Pile Dynamics, Inc. Corporation of America • Garland Likins, Pile Dynamics, Inc.
• Rafael Garcia, Gerdau • Greg Canivan, S&ME • Thomas Tran, American Piledriving Equipment
• Mark Gwynn, American USA • Tom Connor, Consolidated Pipe & Supply • Aaron Unterreiner, PND Engineers
• TC “Tom” Heller, Liebherr USA • Dermot Fallon, Foundation Constructors, Inc. • Sean Whyte, Bull Moose Tube
• Karl Higgins, ECS, LLC • Andrea Edwards, Koppers Utility
• Ronnie Hoefeld, Meever USA and Industrial Products
• Paul Jaquillard, Meever USA • Tim Fogarty, George Harms Construction Co.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS & COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Members:
CONTRACTS & RISK COMMITTEE • Harold Baur, III, Boh Bros.
STEEL SHEET PILE COMMITTEE
Construction Company, LLC
• Brandon Bicknell, Russell Marine LLC
CHAIR:
• Greg Canivan, S&ME, Inc. CHAIR:
Richard Kalson
• Buck Darling, Herbert F. Darling, Inc. David Borger, P.E.
Benesch, Friedlander,
• James Dempsey, Blakeslee, Nucor Skyline
Coplan & Aronoff
Arpaia, Chapman, Inc. david.borger@nucorskyline.com
rkalson@beneschlaw.com
• Pat DiCerbo, Northwestern Mutual
• Tim Dutton, Junttan USA
• Dermot Fallon, Foundation Constructors, Inc.
BOD Liaison: Doug Keller, Richard Goettle, Inc. BOD Liaison: Jim Dempsey,
• Diane Fischer, Pile Dynamics, Inc.
dkeller@goettle.com Blakeslee, Arpaia, Chapman
• Kevin Gourgues, Patriot Construction
jdempsey@bac-inc.com
and Industrial, LLC
Staff Liaison: Frank Peters, PDCA
• Brian Heck, Richard Goettle, Inc.
frank@piledrivers.org Staff Liaison: Kathy Harper, PDCA
• Mike Juneau, Premier Geotech
kathy@piledrivers.org
and Testing, LLC
Members:
• Walter Kaeck, Mueser Rutledge
• Kyle Andrew, Norwalk Marine Members:
Consulting Engineers
• Simon den Tuinder, ASAP Installations • Ryne Allen, Consolidated Pipe
• Doug Keller, Richard Goettle, Inc.
• Skip Gardella, Norwalk Marine & Supply Company
• Randy Kelly, Koppers Utility
• Zac McIntosh, Terracon • Bruce Colson, ESC Steel
and Industrial Products
• Barry Phillips, Kokosing • Simon den Tuinder, ASAP Installations
• Bruce Langan, Equipment
• Jake Scaduto, USI Services • Ethan Liberty, Gerdau
Corporation of America
• Kurt Seufert, ICE – International • Alwyn McDowall, JD Fields & Company
• Kustaa Mansfield, Pacific Pile & Marine, LP
Construction Equipment, Inc. • Zac McIntosh, Terracon
• Zac McIntosh, Terracon
• Hal Mulveney, Samuel Roll Form Group
• Jason Moore, Palmetto Pile Driving, Inc.
EDUCATION COMMITTEE • Barry Phillips, Kokosing
• Barry Phillips, Kokosing
• Takefumi Takuma, Giken America
• David Price, Linde-Griffith
• Andy West, Triad Metals
Construction Company
CO-CHAIR: • Scott Webster, GRL Engineers, Inc.
Gerry McShane • Sean Whyte, Bull Moose Tube
TECHNICAL COMMITTEE
Service Steel Warehouse
gmcshane@servicesteel.org SAFETY & ENVIRONMENTAL
COMMITTEE CHAIR
Mohamad Hussein, P.E.
GRL Engineers, Inc.
CO-CHAIR: mhussein@grlengineers.com
Ryan Allin CHAIR:
Pile Dynamics, Inc. Chris Normand
rallin@pile.com Cajun Industries, LLC
chrisn@cajunusa.com BOD Liaison: Greg Canivan, S&ME, Inc.
gcanivan@smeinc.com
BOD Liaison: Buck Darling, Staff Liaison: Frank Peters, PDCA

Herbert F. Darling, Inc. BOD Liaison: Kevin Gourgues, frank@piledrivers.org
bdarling@hfdarling.com Patriot Construction and Industrial, LLC
keving@patriot-construction.com Members:
Staff Liaison: Kathy Harper, PDCA • Harold Baur, Boh Bros. Construction Co., LLC
kathy@piledrivers.org Staff Liaison: Frank Peters, PDCA • Billy Camp, Kiewit
frank@piledrivers.org • Gerard Chenevert, GROUP Contractors
Members: • Brian Garrett, Gerhart Cole
• TC Heller, Liebherr Members: • Leo Keegan, Intertek-PSI
• Mohamad Hussein, GRL • Keith Alfonsi, Braun Intertec • Van Komurka, GRL Engineers, Inc.
Engineers, Inc. – Florida • Mark Benacquisto, UBC Pile • Zac McIntosh, Terracon
• Zac McIntosh, Terracon Drivers and Divers • Richard Morales, Bull Moose Tube
• Richard Morales, Bull Moose Tube • Dave Coleman, Foundation Constructors, Inc. • Mohamad Mulla, ECS Southeast LLC
• Olaf Olsen, EAS Council of Carpenters • Pollyanna Cunningham, ICE – International and Engineering Consulting Services
• Alex Ryberg, GRL Engineers, Construction Equipment, Inc. • Jesse Rauser, Louisiana Department
Inc. – Pennsylvania • James Deemer, American of Transportation and Development
• Gerald Verbeek, Allnamics-USA Piledriving Equipment • Clayton Signor, Texas Pile, LLC
• Rico Dizon, Foundation Constructors, Inc. • Sam Sternberg, Dan Brown and Associates
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE • Dermot Fallon, Foundation Constructors, Inc. • Takefumi Takuma, Giken America
• Kevin Gourgues, Patriot Construction • Nathan Bryan, US Army Corps of
and Industrial, LLC Engineers (Savannah District)
CHAIR: • Michael Gregory, ICE – International • Aaron Budge, College of Science, Engineering
Rich Anderson Construction Equipment, Inc. and Technology at Minnesota State University
Equipment Corporation • Peter Jensen, American Pile • Jose Clemente, Bechtel Corporation
of America and Foundation, LLC • Ryan Murphy, GTR
randerson@ecanet.com • Zac McIntosh, Terracon
• Mark Miller, Terresolve – RSC Bio Solutions
• Michael Morgano, GRL Engineers, Inc.
Staff Liaison: Matt Bisbee, PDCA • Olaf Olsen, EAS Council of Carpenters
matt@piledrivers.org • Chas Raysik, ICE – International
Construction Equipment, Inc.
• Court Russell, Mystic Safety, LLC
• Kevin Shannon, Linde-Griffith
Construction Company

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MEMBER BENEFITS
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
If you are a PDCA member and want to discuss how to access
any of the benefits listed, or if you aren’t a current member but want
to explore your membership options, contact the PDCA office at
904-215-4771 or use the “chat” feature available on the PDCA website at
www.piledrivers.org. PDCA staff will be excited to speak with you!
SOME OF OUR CURRENT MEMBERS INCLUDE:

Background: sumaetho/123RF
MEMBER BENEFITS
ARE YOU TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE
VIRTUAL PROGRAMMING
While PDCA believes in the power of live
industry events, the association’s online events
that began during the pandemic shutdowns
revealed a strong desire within the pile driving
industry to participate in virtual education. PDCA
continues to offer online education opportunities,
including its highly regarded webinar series.
Special note: Virtual education programs

are archived and available to interested parties on
the PDCA website at www.piledrivers.org/shop.
PDCA members have free download
access to the various programs;
EXPANDED MEMBERSHIP TERMS non-members pay a nominal fee.
Each contractor, associate and engineering

affiliate can name up to five individual
representatives with each single office
location membership (name additional
corporate members beyond the number
included in the base membership for
an additional per-person charge).
Multiple office discount – Members will receive

a 50% discount on multiple office memberships
when they pay for a full-price office membership.
Each multiple office will still receive the allotted
number of additional corporate members.
PDCA members can choose to pay their PDCA PROJECT OF THE YEAR AWARDS
dues either quarterly or annually.
The PDCA Project of the Year Awards program
PDCA members can set up automatic dues is an exclusive program offered annually to
payments through the PDCA website. PDCA members (free entry for PDCA members).
Members can exclusively purchase Additional details and submission terms are
a rotating banner logo advertisement on available at www.piledrivers.org; start planning
the PDCA website, www.piledrivers.org. your entry for next year’s awards program!
Members can choose to upgrade their company The 2024 PDCA Project of the Year
profile listing in PDCA’s online member directory Awards submission period will be
with their company logo and website link. open from Jan. 2 to April 5, 2024!

MEMBER BENEFITS
BENEFITS OF BELONGING TO PDCA?
ONGOING BENEFITS OF PDCA MEMBERSHIP CONSTANT CONTACT PARTNER PROGRAM

Annual conferences PDCA established an agreement with
Constant Contact that makes this robust email
Educational programs marketing software available at a reduced cost
Trade shows to members. PDCA members that participate
in the Constant Contact Partner Program can
Free and reduced-rate marketing opportunities access plans starting at just $20 per month;
Access to the PDCA Technical Library however, depending on the options selected,
members can save up to 40% off the retail
PileDriver magazine price for the service. Here are several of the
Monthly “A Pile of News” e-newsletter features that PDCA members can receive
through the Constant Contact Partner Program:
Annual membership directory
9 Website builder and e-commerce tools
Annual PDCA wall calendar
9 Customizable email templates
Committee and industry leadership opportunities
9 Social media tools
Safety discussions and resources
9 List building tools
Industry networking, including with
state and federal government officials 9 Advanced features and integrations
Connectivity between the 9 Real-time reporting

public sector and private owners 9 Market survey capabilities
Many more resources available! 9 Support at every step
There is strength in numbers. The level of impact of PDCA’s

voice is the sum of its membership. Join the only association in the
world that exclusively represents the driven pile industry!
Members
current as of
Oct. 27, 2023
• Aggregate Technologies, Inc. • ECS Mid-Atlantic, LLC • Kingwood Pipe Inc. • RACE Coastal Engineering, LLC
• Alpha Pipe Company • ECS Southeast, LLP • Kokosing Industrial, Inc. • Ralph L. Wadsworth Construction
• American Deep Foundation, Inc. • Elite Tubular • Koppers Utility and Industrial Products Company, LLC
• American Engineering Testing, Inc. • EMC Engineering Services, Inc. • Lamar University • RBM Consulting Group, Inc.
• American Equipment & Fabricating Corp. • Emeca SPE/USA • Land N Sea Pile Driving Inc. • Reagan Marine Construction
• American Pile and Foundation LLC • Energy Materials Company • Larisch Consulting Ltd. • REV Drill Sales & Rentals, Inc.
• American Piledriving Equipment Inc. • Equipment Corporation of America • Legacy Contracting, Inc. • Richard E. Pierson Construction Co. Inc.
• American Pole and Timber LLC – Greensboro, NC • Liebherr USA • Richard Goettle, Inc.
• American Shoring Inc. • ESC Steel LLC • Linde-Griffith Construction Co. • Robert Miner Dynamic Testing, Inc.
• AMERICAN SpiralWeld Pipe • ESP Associates • Live Flyer Inc. • Robishaw Engineering, Inc. / Flexifloat
Company, LLC • Essve Tech, Inc. • Lloyd Engineering, Inc. • Rushmore Enterprises Inc.
• APC Construction, LLC • Eustis Engineering, LLC • Loadtest, a division of Fugro USA • Russell Marine LLC
• Apex Steel Pipe & Piling • EWS Construction Consulting Land, Inc. • S & ME, Inc.
• Arcola Building Company Inc. • EXP Services Inc. • Lodge Lumber Company, Inc. • Samuel Roll Form Group
• Ardaman & Associates, Inc. • Farrell Brothers Marine Construction, Inc. • Lynnhaven Marine and Dock, Inc. • Schnabel Engineering, LLC
• ARG/Pacific Rubber Inc. • Favor Steel & Fabricating, Inc. • M.T. Kaye Steel LLC • Scott Bridge Company Inc.
• Arthur R. Henry, Inc. • Flexicore of Texas • Macro Enterprises, Ltd. • Scott Equipment Company
• ASAP-Group, LLC • Florida Pipe & Steel, Inc. • Mammoth Carbon Products • Sea & Shore Contracting, Inc.
• Associated Pile & Fitting • Forefront Deep Foundations • Manson Construction Company • Sealevel Construction, Inc.
• Associated Steel Fabricators, Inc. • Foundation Constructors, Inc. • Mason Construction, LLC • Seismic Surveys, LLC (dba Seismic
• Atlantic Metrocast Inc. • Foundation Equipment Services, Inc. • Mason Forest Products Monitoring, LLC in NJ)
• Atlas Foundation Company • Frank Black Pipe & Supply Co. • Massman Construction Company • Semper Diving & Marine Corp.
• Atlas Tube – A Division of • GeoEngineers, Inc. • McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. • Service Steel Warehouse
Zekelman Industries • Geokon • McMullen & Pitz Construction Company • Seyfarth Shaw LLP
• Axiom Foundations LLC • GeoQuip, Inc. • McNeil, Silveira, Rice & Wiley • Shannon & Wilson, Inc.
• Baker Gulf Coast Industrial • George Harms Construction • Meever USA Inc. • Sheet Pile LLC
• Balfour Beatty Infrastructure, Inc. Company, Inc. • Mississippi Department of Transportation • Shoreline Steel, Inc.
• Bauer Equipment America, Inc. • Georgia Institute of Technology • Mississippi River Equipment Company • SJ Hamill Construction
• Beard Construction Group, LLC • Geosciences Testing and Research, Inc. • MKT Manufacturing Inc. • SJL Consulting Engineers, Inc.
• Bechtel Equipment Operations, Inc. • Geosciences Testing and Research, Inc. • Mohawk Northeast Inc. • Smart Structures
• Benesch Friedlander Coplan & Aronoff – New York • Morris-Shea Bridge Company, Inc. • Soil Consultants, Inc.
• Bigfoot Pipe & Piling • GeoStructures, Inc. • MotoCut Ltd • South Shore Pile Driving LLC
• Black River Solar • Geosyntec Consultants, Inc. • Mueser Rutledge Consulting • Southern Earth Sciences, Inc.
• Blue Iron Foundation & Shoring LLC • Geo-Technology Associates, Inc. Engineers PLLC • Spark Contractors
• Bogazici University • Gerdau • Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C. • State of Connecticut Department
• Boh Bros. Construction Company, LLC • Gerhart Cole, Inc. • Narsee Monjee Institute of of Transportation
• Bottom Line Equipment • Giken America Corporation – Florida Management Studies • Steel Pipe Fabricators of Alabama LLC
• Bowen Engineering Corporation • Giken America Corporation – New York • Northshore Technical Community College • Stovall Foundation Systems
• BSM Engineering • Gilbert Products • Norwalk Marine Contractors, Inc. • Stroer & Graff, Inc.
• Bull Moose Tube Company • GMS Piling Products • NSI Contracting • Sun Pile Foundations, Inc.
• C. J. Mahan Construction Company, LLC • Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. • Nucor Skyline • Sutherland Pipe and Supply
• C.D. Perry LLC • GRL Engineers, Inc. • OLINPUMP - Olin Engineering, Inc. • Tadano America Corporation
• Cajun Industries, LLC • GROUP Contractors, LLC • Omega Foundation Services • Taylor Marine Construction, Inc.
• Canal Barge Company Inc. • GTA Engineering Services of • Omega Trestle, LLC • Tectonic Engineering Consultants,
• Cape Romain Contractors, Inc. New York, P.C. • O’Quinn Marine Construction Inc. Geologists & Land Surveyors, D. P. C.
• Cianbro Corporation • Gulf Coast Pre-Stress Partners, Ltd. • Orion Marine Group • Terracon - Lousiana
• CIPTE, Ciport & Tecnac C. Ltda. • GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. • Otto Fabricators, LLC • Terracon Consultants, Inc. – Florida
• Clark Foundations, LLC • H&H • Ozkanlar Grup Makina AS • Terracon Consultants, Inc.
• Clydesdale Steel • H.B. Fleming, Inc. • Pacific Pile & Marine, LP – South Carolina
• CMK Engineering, PLLC • Hal Jones Contractor, a Division of • PACO Ventures, LLC • Terracon Consultants, Inc. – Virginia
• CNT Foundations LLC Vecellio & Grogan, Inc. • Palmetto Pile Driving, Inc. • Texas Pile LLC
• Coastal Engineering and Testing Co., Inc. • Haley & Aldrich, Inc. • Parker Marine Contracting Corporation • Thatcher Foundations, Inc.
• Coastal Pile Driving, Inc. • Hammer & Steel, Inc. • Patrick DiCerbo/Northwestern Mutual • The Great Lakes Construction Co.
• Cohen Seglias Pallas Greenhall & • Hartman Engineering • Patriot Construction and Industrial, LLC • The ICE of Carolinas, PLLC
Furman PC • Hawaiian Dredging • Peirce Engineering, Inc. • The Loren Group
• Commerce Construction Corporation Construction Company • Pile Drivers, Inc. • THI Pipe and Piling
• Consolidated Pipe & Supply Co. • Herbert F. Darling, Inc. • Pile Dynamics, Inc. • Thomas & Hutton
• Continental Construction Company, Inc. • Hercules Machinery Corporation, LLC • Pile Hammer Equipment • Timber Piling Council
• Copier Inc. • Heron Wolf • Pile Master • Tolunay-Wong Engineers, Inc. – Houston
• CPS Houston, Inc. • Hoffman Equipment • Pile Solution LLC • TRC Companies, Inc.
• Crisson Construction Limited • ICE-International Construction • PILECO, Inc. • Trevcon Construction Company, Inc.
• CRW Engineering Group, LLC Equipment, Inc. • Piling, Inc. • Triad Metals International
• CS Marine Constructors Inc. • Independent Pipe • Pinnacle Drilling Products • Trinity Products
• CYR’S Marine, LLC • Interpipe Inc. • Pipe & Tube Supplies, Inc. • UBC Pile Drivers and Divers
• CZM Foundation Equipment • Island Piling, Inc. • Platinum Grover International, Inc. • Universal Engineering Sciences
• D.A. Collins Companies • J. Fletcher Creamer & Son, Inc. • PND Engineers, Inc. – Anchorage • Universidad de Concepcion
• D.W. Kozera, Inc. • J.D. Fields & Company, Inc. • Poseidon Dredge & Marine, Inc. • Universitas Katolik Soegijapranata
• Dan Brown and Associates, PC • James P. Cooke P.E., LLC • Powell Foundations Inc. • University of Madras
• DarkHorse Industries • Jimerson Birr • Prattini Law Firm, L.L.C. • University of New Orleans
• Dawson Construction Plant, Inc. • Jinnings Equipment, LLC • Precast Piling Technology, Inc. • University of South Carolina
• DeSoto Treated Materials, Inc. • John B. Wright Insurance • Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute • USA Pile & Transport, LLC
• Dewberry Engineers, Inc • John Lawrie, Inc. • PRECO-MSE Inc. • USI Insurance Services, LLC
• DFI Piling • Johnson Davis Inc. • Premier Geotech and Testing, LLC • Vachris Engineering, P.C.
• Dissen & Juhn Company • Jordan Pile Driving, Inc. • Professional Service Industries • Veit & Company, Inc.
• DP Concrete Products, LLC • Junttan Canada • PUC MG • Vortex Marine Construction, Inc.
• DuroTerra • Junttan USA Inc. • Purdue University/Civil Engineering • Walters Marine Construction, Inc.
• Earth, Inc. • Kahn Steel Co. Inc. • PVE Equipment USA, Inc. • Weeks Marine, Inc.
• ECA CANADA – Toronto • Keller • R. E. Burns & Sons Company, Inc. • Wren Works
• ECA CANADA – Vancouver • Kiewit • R. Kremer & Son Marine Contractors, LLC
• ECS Florida, LLC • Kingdom Pipe & Steel • R.W. Conklin Steel Supply, Inc.
Renew your PDCA membership today by visiting www.piledrivers.org/members/renew. Join PDCA today by visiting www.piledrivers.org/join-pdca/

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DEAR DARLING
“How does the process of

attracting, hiring and retaining
employees differ today from
20 years ago? What should our
members be considering in the
next one, five or 10 years?”
I
By Buck Darling
wrote an article many years ago (2012) for this publication We can complain all we want, but there is no way around this. So,
that was entitled, “Not my Father’s Oldsmobile.” you may as well get busy if you haven’t already.
I ripped that from an advertising campaign for I first noticed some things, looking back, that were symptoms
Oldsmobile automobiles of that era. It was an opinion piece of future change in our newer employees. It seemed that there
that was a scree against the changes that I felt were occurring was just not the “go along to get along” attitude that used to make
in the industry at that time – mostly things that are still going things flow smoothly. Suddenly, people were telling me that they
on today like bad plans, specs and geotechnical info. Companies were not going to travel to work anymore, which was an absolute
that you had to work with but really didn’t want to because of necessity for the company to get the volume of work it needed to
past treatment. Difficulty getting paid. Money talks and excre- thrive. They would only work within an hour’s drive from home.
ment walks, that kind of stuff. Most importantly, it was about In addition, I started hearing from the field that certain people
how things just weren’t done the way I was taught growing up refused to work with other people.
in our family business dealings. In general, having to deal with Home life constraints started making it difficult to get people
situations that somehow just seemed so unnecessary. Definitely to work. They had no transportation, their daycare situation wasn’t
some dark material. working out or it was their week to have the kids. The kids had
So much so, I never heard back and assumed it wasn’t worthy of soccer (or whatever) practice, so they couldn’t work overtime. This
the ink to print it. Eventually, it was unearthed and published in Q1 certainly made it difficult to plan and schedule projects and crews
2016 issue of PileDriver. The subtitle was, “Business practices have that would staff them. I started to feel that I needed to be more of
drastically changed over the years.” Little did I know… a psychiatrist/babysitter than a company owner.
Fast forward to today, I still think all that exists. As usual, Taking care of our employees was one of the first things I ever
though – change being a constant – there is a whole slew of new learned about once I decided to take up the family business over
things to which we all are having to adjust. Not the least of which 40 years ago. People had lives. Stuff happens. We worked with our
is how to attract and retain the next generation of people we need employees in making sure they not only had but used vacation
to keep this industry and our companies going strong. time. We worked and paid by the book (union and stipulated wage
How does the older generation learn not only how to hire the regulations). Every time. Every minute to the next full hour and
new generation but learn how to work with young folk right out then some if a situation called for it. Time for coffee breaks were
of college who have a whole different attitude about work and life? not only given, but food and drink provided and still are. Bonuses
Money is not everything to today’s workers.

They need to feel work-life balance. They need
time to pursue their passions and interests.
DEAR DARLING
FOR SALE
were given as appropriate for the company finances and employee
performance. Now, that just doesn’t seem enough.
HPSI 800 EXCITER

So, here we are in 2023. Things that used to be bad business
practices by employees are now the norm. Quiet quitting, loud
quitting, work to rules and all the catchy things we read about how
• FOUR 125-TON CAISSON CLAMPS employees are trying to effect change by coercion and not by the
• 160-FOOT KEVLAR SLEEVED HOSE BUNDLE tried-and-true methods of communications and negotiations, not
• 950HP CAT C27 POWER UNIT to mention outright strikes. What can we do? We must go back to
the very beginning with the basics.
222 tons of dynamic force – eccentric moment of The first thing we must do is get to students much earlier in
8,000 in-lbs, 1,400 VPM frequency and 0.625-inch amplitude their lives with the notion that construction is a noble, worthwhile
and rewarding ( financially and fulfilling) profession. This kind of
thing is already being done all over where I am in New York state.
People are realizing that college degrees are not necessary to life-
enhancing, good paying work. To facilitate this, contractor orga-
nizations are hitting the high schools with information about the
trades and working in them.
One organization I belong to has gone so far as to put together
an entire program in their local school district to demonstrate the
viability of construction as a living, and letting the kids get involved
early. They also host an annual trade show put on by local contrac-
tors and unions with live demonstrations and hands-on work for
students to take part in – everything from masonry to drywall,
carpentry to heavy equipment operation. This has shown that kids
are interested in this kind of thing, and that they aren’t only there
for time off school!
In short, show kids a way forward without going into crushing
debt and still being able to make a living. Best advice? Get involved!
You can’t complain or otherwise be part of the problem without
taking part in the solution.
Okay, hopefully we got our hooks into the younger generation.
They have decided to go into construction. Now we need to point
them in a direction that will allow them to get the job training they
will need along with training in working safely. In our case, this is
HPSI Model 800 vibratory driver/

extractor system includes an exciter
assembly with a 100-ton suspension,
Suddenly, people were

four 125-ton caisson clamps and a
150-foot hose bundle.
The fully enclosed power pack has

lockable doors and remote controls, telling me that they were
including a remote 30-foot pendant.
This unit is powered by a 950 HP C27 Caterpillar and also

not going to travel to
work anymore, which was
includes a Tunkers-Mastech vibration damper – model
SD-185, approximately 350 hours on vibro head and
100 hours on CAT power unit.
FOB Opelika, Alabama an absolute necessity

$595,000 USD
for the company to get
the volume of work
2641 Interstate Drive
Opelika, AL 36801
Contact: Mark Guin

Phone: (334) 749-5045
it needed to thrive.
Building To Serve Email: mguin@scottbridge.com

DEAR DARLING
through union apprenticeships. In other cases, companies have

their own apprenticeship programs, or have contractor organiza-
tions that have programs.
Perhaps you have identified someone you know who already
has the characteristics you are looking for in an employee. Perhaps
In my opinion, it is not
you have identified someone from a trade fair. Give them a push to
work as an apprentice for you, for your contractor’s organization going to get any easier
to recruit, train and keep
or your union program.
Now comes the hard part. You found someone. They have the
vocational and safety training. You put them out in the field. Now
is not the time to think, “Okay, I did it.”
They need to have a true mentor who will train them in the
new younger employees.
company way. Gently. Yelling and scolding isn’t going to get
today’s workers to do things your way. They will not put up with it.
Coddling them isn’t going to do it either, though. Listening goes a Maybe 40 hours is a bit much, but 24? For volunteering on
long way. Find the fine line and try to walk it – patience above all. weekends (at straight time)? In terms of incentive programs, tradi-
Employee retention used to be a science, but is now more of an tional recognitions for safe work, good production, forward think-
art. There are the usual basics of fair wages for fair work (plus some ing and planning, etc., can be rewarded with certificates and small
if warranted), incentive programs to not only reward good charac- company branded gifts, or any of the myriad gift cards that are
ter but good work and then there are traditional bonuses. These are available. Recognition in any form for good performance will go a
more important now than ever, but there are other things that will long way toward retention.
go a long way toward keeping your new recruit. We are trying to take care of an immediate problem. The greater
Money is not everything to today’s workers. They need to feel problem may be in once we do this, where is that going to lead us
work-life balance. They need time to pursue their passions and in the future?
interests. They feel the need to be part of the process at work, My personal crystal ball is very fuzzy on this.
as well. Paid time off to do volunteer community work is now a In my opinion, it is not going to get any easier to recruit, train
thing. One of our largest local banks is paying employees up to 40 and keep new younger employees. We have had to rely on our
hours of time off per year to perform community and volunteer unions to relax “working while retired” rules to get more bodies
work. This has been a huge success for them. in the field right now. This goes against my personal belief that
DEAR DARLING
retirement should be taken at the earliest possible time so that one

can enjoy the fruits of their many years of labor, and while the body
and mind are still able to do the things that make life good after a
long working life. This also has implications for safe performance My age, attitudes and
of an older workforce.
It is also only a temporary solution. The unions are not having
much luck in getting other unions to send help from their locals,
crippling wishes for
which was a tool available in the past. They don’t have anyone “on
the bench” and those they have don’t want to travel. The willing- things to “go back to
normal” will not allow it…
ness of people (not just in unions) to resort to strikes against their
employers is unsettling and not going to go away any time soon.
The only thing that will stop that is when the poorly paid and
rewarded employees are given a way up into the middle class. This I have become a fossil.
will have the unfortunate effect of dragging all the other higher
paid people into a “me too” thought process, creating a feedback
loop that will cause pay and work conditions to spiral into a com-
pletely untenable rise that will ruin the economy. are getting closer to getting them! Forty hours' pay for 32 hours'
Increased costs and inflation have already severely affected work? You have got to be kidding. Normal is out the window.
federal construction programs in that scheduled projects cannot To solve this very real and very pressing problem, we need our
be done because bid costs are way over budget. At some point, the contractors organizations now more than ever. There needs to be
employers of the world will have to respond. Look what has hap- serious thought given to a Workforce Committee to help unravel
pened to the mega-corporations with work from home, increased all of this.
wages, “country club” amenities in the work infrastructure with And no, I am not volunteering. My age, attitudes and crippling
gyms and cafeterias and open environment workspaces. Don’t wishes for things to “go back to normal” will not allow it. The peo-
laugh. These may hit our offices in the future, especially the larger ple who are going to have to live with whatever is coming are going
construction corporations. to be the ones to solve the problem.
People just will not put up with perceived life balance inequi- I have become a fossil. I was told that by the younger generation
ties. The auto unions are on strike for what would heretofore be of my fraternity members and alumni. Not my father’s construction
ludicrous demands for wages and working conditions. And they company, indeed. Roger all that. t
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CHAPTER UPDATES
PAC I F I C C O AST
PDCA CHAPTER UPDATES

HAPTER UPDATES PDCA CHAPTER UPDATES PDCA CHAPTER UPDA
PDCA Texas Chapter hosts sold-out golf tournament

Fourteen under par at Houston’s Hermann Park Golf Course annual technical program from PDCA that was held in Houston.
was enough to edge out 18 other teams and secure first place for [Editor’s note: See page 45 for more coverage on DICEP 2023.]
the PDCA Texas Chapter’s Inaugural Golf Tournament. Teams finishing in second and third place were also awarded, as
The sold-out event on Sept. 12 attracted golfers at all levels, were individuals who won various golf contests that they encoun-
many of whom would be participating later that day in the Design tered throughout 18 holes of play.
and Installation of Cost-Efficient Piles (DICEP) 2023 conference, an
Brandon Phetteplace (L) represents the first place team, consisting

Erica Ferens won Lady’s Longest Drive
of himself, Scott Webster, Brandon Bicknell and Craig Drachman
Erica Ferens (R) accepts the second place prize for teammates
Josh Averitt won Men’s Longest Drive
Walter Van Zuthem, Strider Noone and James Whiteley
CHAPTER UPDATES
TES PDCA CHAPTER UPDATES PDCA CHAPTER UPDATES PDCA CH

CHAPTER UPDATES
Cheers to New England Pile Drivers

– a successful regional event!
On Thursday, Sept. 28, PDCA hosted a regional networking
event at Copper House Tavern in Waltham, Mass.
The free informational happy hour attracted pile driving con-
tractors, civil engineers and equipment and material suppliers
from throughout the region. Attendees enjoyed food, beverages,
a short program and plenty of time to network with like-minded
peers who all share a common goal to advance the driven pile.
It’s PDCA’s goal to strengthen its place in this important
region and build lasting relationships.
Empowering people to be the trusted solution.
Heavy Highway
Auger Cast Piling
Deep Foundations
Bridges
Earth Retention Systems
Ground Improvements
Demolition
Pedestrian Trails
5292 W. 100 N
BOGGSTOWN, IN 46110
(317) 835-2254 • BEATYINC.COM
CHAPTER UPDATES
TES PDCA CHAPTER UPDATES PDCA CHAPTER UPDATES PDCA CH
PILE DRIVEABILITY AND

DYNAMIC PILE TESTING
• Driveability Studies
• Wave Equation Analysis
• Data Collection and Dynamic Testing
Corporate Office
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grlengineers.com/services Remote Testing Services
(216) 831-6131
info@grlengineers.com
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Inventories, depots and sales

EVENTS AND WEBINARS
UPCOMING INDUSTRY EVENTS

AND PDCA WEBINARS
JANUARY
Jan. 2: Project of the Year Awards Submissions Open
Jan. 19: PDCA of South Carolina Annual
Oyster Roast – Charleston, S.C.
FEBRUARY
Feb. 18–24: National Engineers Week
Feb. 25–28: Geo-Congress 2024 – Vancouver, B.C.
MARCH
March 13: PDCA Gulf Coast
Chapter 2024 Engineers Conference
March 14: PDCA of South Carolina
Driven Pile Technical Seminar
APRIL The PDCA Value Driven Webinar Series focuses on

driven pile case studies, cost saving analysis, actual
April 5: Project of the Year Awards Entries Due
project conversion methods, job site safety, soil set
April 17-20: Geoprofessional Business Association
up, legalities to consider and much more to support
Spring Conference – Anaheim, Calif.
those in the driven pile industry. The PDCA Value
MAY Driven Webinar Series happens the second Thurs-
day of the month from 2:00pm – 3:00pm ET. As a
May 7-10: International Foundations Congress member benefit, registration is complimentary for all
& Equipment Expo – Dallas, Texas t sessions to PDCA members and their employees.
Individuals who are not PDCA members are wel-
come to attend the sessions with a nominal registra-
Scan the QR code to subscribe tion fee of $50 per webinar.
to PDCA’s event calendar.
SAVE THE DATE MAY 7-10, 2024

Background: funtap/123RF

2024 Driven Pile
Technical Seminar
Holliday Alumni Center – The Citadel
Charleston, South Carolina
The PDCA South Carolina Chapter is proud to sponsor a one-day
technical seminar on driven pile foundations for the benefit of
contractors, structural and geotechnical engineers, architects and
owners. The diverse program will cover case histories, axial and
lateral design methodologies and pile driving practices and testing.
WHEN:
Thursday, March 14, 2024
WHERE:
Holliday Alumni Center (The Citadel),
69 Hagood Ave., Charleston, SC 29403
BENEFIT:
Engineers can receive up to 5.5 hours of instruction
INCLUDED:
Continental breakfast, lunch,
refreshments, seminar notes
Thank you to our seminar chair, Greg Canivan (SM&E) for a fantastic speaker lineup,
and thank you to our seminar sponsors for your generous contributions that allow
the PDCA of South Carolina Chapter to offer this program at an excellent rate!
DICEP WRAP-UP
DICEP 2023 DELIVERS

DIVERSIFIED EDUCATION IN HOUSTON
P
By Matt Bisbee, PDCA
articipants at the Design and • Presentation on the installation of an off- The DICEP 2023 Exhibit Hall was at capac-
Installation of Cost-Efficient shore platform ity, where industry suppliers and manufactur-
Piles (DICEP) 2023 conference • Understanding of construction costs ers provided professional staff to discuss their
earned up to 8.5 professional development related to steel sheet piling materials, products and services with attendees.
hour (PDH) credits for attending the variety of design, configuration and installation PDCA thanks the exhibitors: GRL
educational sessions at the mid-September • Discussion about an earthen levee retro- Engineers, Pile Dynamics, Inc., Meever
event in Houston. fit with pressed-in double sheet pile walls USA, Lodge Lumber, Hammer & Steel,
The 2023 program took place at the • Optimizing pile lengths with an embed- PACO Equipment, American Piledriving
Marriott West Loop near the Houston ded instrumentation load test program Equipment, JD Fields & Company, Essve
Galleria and attracted attendees from for a large industrial plant Tech, Inc., Bauer Equipment America,
across North America. • A comparison of two shorings Dawson Construction Plant, Giken
DICEP was rich in diverse content, pro- • The role of sustainability in future design America, Eustis Engineering, Sutherland
viding attendees with the opportunity to • Innovative methods of pile installation Pipe and Supply, Liebherr, Service Steel
gain new perspectives on a well-rounded • An academic presentation on the funda- Warehouse, American Equipment &
menu of technical presentations during mentals of driven pile design Fabricating and Pileworks.
the 1.5-day event. Participants took advan- • Design considerations for displacement Additionally, the following sponsors helped
tage of the following sessions and activi- rigid inclusions make the annual event a success: American
ties and convened for breaks, meals and • A discussion of the Surfside Beach Pier Equipment & Fabricating, DarkHorse
a networking reception in the sold-out Replacement, a winning project from this Metals, GRL Engineers, Pile Dynamics, Inc.,
Exhibit Hall. year’s PDCA Project of the Year Awards American Piledriving Equipment, Liebherr,
Here is a summary of the event: • Networking time during breakfast, lunch ICE-International Construction Equipment,
• Panel discussion about the role of geo- and a Meet & Greet Reception in the Essve Tech, Inc. and Lodge Lumber. t
technical engineering on design-build Exhibit Hall Photos on next page
DICEP WRAP-UP
www.wbequipment.com
W.B. Equipment Service Corp
Toll Free: 866-522-5464 Email: dmercado@wbequipment.com / ssmart@wbequipment.com

DICEP WRAP-UP
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DFDTA WRAP-UP
DEEP FOUNDATION
DYNAMIC TESTING AND ANALYSIS
WORKSHOP – CLEVELAND
P DCA, in collaboration with Pile

Dynamics, Inc. (PDI), presented
the Deep Foundation Dynamic
Testing and Analysis (DFDTA) one-day semi-
nar and two-day workshop, Oct. 11–13, 2023,
at PDI’s headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio.
Garland Likins, P.E., Ryan Allin, P.E., Michael
Morgano, P.E. and Patrick Hannigan, P.E.
The one-day seminar is designed for geo-
technical, structural and construction engi-
neers, owners, contractors and other profes-
sionals involved in the design, construction
system and CAPWAP® software interested
in sharpening their skills: engineers, foun-
dation testing professionals, students and
professors already familiar with the basic
concepts of deep foundation dynamic test-
ing and analysis; professionals who desire to
The one-day seminar focused on Deep and specification of deep foundations. This have a basic understanding of the dynamic
Foundation Integrity Testing and Wave seminar is suitable for those new to the test results being presented to them; and
Equation Analysis and the two-day work- field of foundation testing and analysis and those interested in taking the Dynamic
shop on High Strain Dynamic Foundation includes an overview of non-destructive Measurement and Analysis Proficiency Test.
Testing. The Dynamic Measurement and testing methods (integrity and load testing) The seminar, workshop and/or profi-
Analysis Proficiency Test, covering the the- and their applications. It is suitable also ciency test may be taken independent-
ory of Wave Mechanics, Case Method (PDA) for those specifying the testing in order to ly, all together or a combination of the
equations, data quality assessment, data gain a basic understanding for assessing course offerings.
interpretation and basic CAPWAP analysis, the results presented in the test reports – The 2024 DFDTA sessions are scheduled
was offered at the culmination of the event. and for those needing an understanding of for March 4–6 in Orlando and Nov. 6–8
The twice-yearly seminar and workshop wave equation analysis methods. in Cleveland. Register online at www.pile-
registration filled to capacity. Attendees The two-day workshop is designed for drivers.org or to register by phone, call the
learned from industry experts such as users of the Pile Driving Analyzer® (PDA) PDCA office at 904-215-4771. t
A group photo
of attendees
in Cleveland
VIBRATORY HAMMERS | HYDRAULIC
GEOQUIP POWER SYSTEMS, LLC.

1203 OZARK NORTH KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI 64116, USA
PHONE: 816.221.4774 | FAX: 816.221.4591 | WEB: WWW.4HPSI.COM

C AUGERS | HYDRAULIC POWER UNITS
IN BUSINESS SINCE 1980. MADE IN THE USA

TOP OF THE PILE
Posts, photos, notes and more from PDCA members

TOP OF THE PILE
Background: krulua/123RF
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CAREER STORY
DuroTerra’s
new president
By Angela Altass
A fter almost nine years of driving growth of the Ductile “My first job in the industry was working for S.W. Cole
Iron Pile (DIP) system throughout the United States Engineering in Maine during college,” said Fitzpatrick. “After fin-
and Canada, Brendan Fitzpatrick was recently pro- ishing school, I started as a staff engineer at Geopier Foundation
moted to president of DuroTerra. Company. Geopier was developing ground improvement technol-
“Being a part of a growing company always gave me the ogy and licensing it to design/build contractors around the world.
opportunity to play a key role in the direction and management It was still relatively early in the company’s history and it gave me
of DuroTerra,” said Fitzpatrick, who notes the opportunity to get exposed to a small
that as president, he will be spending more but rapidly growing company with projects
time on high-level growth strategies, mar- around North America and beyond.”
ket penetration and business development.
“The ground conditions As Geopier grew, Fitzpatrick was given
“No day is a typical day at work for me more leadership and management oppor-
at DuroTerra because I’m involved in so are always unique and tunities and eventually became vice presi-
many different aspects of the company,” dent for North America before leaving in
said Fitzpatrick. “That’s what’s great about it makes projects, and 2014 to join DuroTerra.
being part of this company. It’s such a “After 14 years with Geopier, I was ready
dynamic environment that you never know our profession, really to return to a smaller, more entrepreneurial
what the day will bring.”
interesting. The industry environment,” said Fitzpatrick. “On a per-
Fitzpatrick says he knew by the time sonal note, I was also ready to move my
that he was in high school that he wanted is also filled with so many children closer to their extended family in
to pursue a career in construction. New England. Through my work at Geopier,
“My father was a carpenter who exposed quality people who make I had become well acquainted with owners
me to the construction industry at an of a geotechnical speciality contracting busi-
early age,” said Fitzpatrick. “While I really it a great profession.” ness near Boston. The timing was impeccable
enjoyed the skilled labour and hands-on because they happened to be looking to start
work, the engineering side of the industry – Brendan Fitzpatrick a new company that specialized in the dis-
became increasingly interesting to me and tribution of DIPs manufactured by Austrian-
I pursued a degree in civil engineering at Worcester Polytechnic based Tiroler Rohre, GmbH (TRM). In September 2014, I joined the
Institute in Worcester, Mass.” newly founded DuroTerra as the director of engineering/marketing.”
Fitzpatrick started working for a geotechnical consultant dur- The new role at DuroTerra gave Fitzpatrick the opportunity to
ing college, which provided exposure to geotechnical field engi- learn a new part of the industry.
neering and influenced his decision get a master’s degree in civil “While I had been exposed to geotechnical engineering and
engineering with a concentration in geotechnical engineering. design/build contracting for nearly 20 years, I had to learn the
CAREER STORY
industry from a supplier’s perspective,” said Fitzpatrick. “This facility where vibrations were a concern. This one won a PDCA
meant that I needed to quickly get up to speed on manufactur- Project of the Year award.”
ing with our partner at TRM in Austria, learn about interna- Fitzpatrick enjoys the challenges of working in the deep foun-
tional shipping, maintaining inventory, material delivery and dation industry. “One of the biggest challenges is that project sites
on and on, while also learning the technical merits, experience and the ground that we’re working in are never the same” he said.
and value of the DIP system. It was a perfect new challenge “The ground conditions are always unique and it makes projects,
for me.” and our profession, really interesting. The industry is also filled
As a small and growing company, DuroTerra considers every proj- with so many quality people who make it a great profession.”
ect and customer to be noteworthy and interesting, states Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick says that he has been fortunate throughout his
“That seems a bit cliché but it’s definitely the truth,” he said. career to cross paths with people who provided inspiration, men-
“With that in mind, though, there are still some unique projects torship and direction.
where our company and the DIP foundation system were just so “The list has to start with my parents, who are some of the most
well suited that it made perfect sense. For instance, a large renova- hard-working people I know and instilled those values in me,” he
tion at an air hub facility for a major international shipping com- said. “Professionally, Steve Cole of S.W. Cole Engineering helped
pany in Philadelphia was completed using DIPs from DuroTerra by me get excited about the geotechnical engineering/construction
our customer and fellow PDCA member, GeoStructures. This was industry. Professors Albano and D’Andrea at WPI and Professors
a perfect application for the system to be installed in low overhead Duncan, Brandon and Filz at Virginia Tech challenged me and pro-
conditions where piles had to extend 70 to 100 feet in an active vided a world-class education and guidance. Dr. Kord Wissmann
was a wonderful mentor who has the rare ability to break down
complicated problems into straight-forward simple concepts. He
Right-handed or left-handed? Right-handed. taught me so much about engineering application as well as sales
//// RAPID FIRE
and business and had the confidence in me to allow me to take on

Dog person or cat person? more and more challenges while at Geopier.
Big dog person (but tolerate all animals since “Lastly is the current ownership at DuroTerra – Rimas Veitas,
my wife is a veterinarian). Chad Graybill and Christian Littlefield – who have afforded me the
Favorite vacation spot? opportunity to take the reins and drive the company forward. And,
Anywhere with mountains. the list could keep going. I’ve been fortunate to work with and get
to know so many great engineers and contractors in the industry.
Last book read? It’s hard to list just a few.”
The Poacher’s Son by Paul Doiron When he’s not at work, Fitzpatrick enjoys time spent with his
(now reading Powerful by Patty McCord). wife and their twin sons, often participating in outdoor activities,
such as hiking, skiing, hunting, fishing and camping. t
OUR SERVICES PARKER MARINE

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Taylor Marine
Construction, Inc.
yard, six miles
from Houston Ship
Channel Light 45
TAYLOR MARINE
Texas company thrives on solving problems
F
By Kim Biggar
rom its seven-acre facility in companies don’t want to get involved with,” Company evolution and projects
Dickinson Bayou, about six said Taylor. “This can be messy at times, Taylor’s father, also named Julius, started the
miles off the Houston Ship but we thrive on finding ways to solve company in 1982, as a steel fabrication busi-
Channel, general contractor Taylor Marine these problems for owners.” ness in Beaufort, N.C. Within a few years,
Construction specializes in marine con- Taylor also emphasizes the company’s he changed the company’s focus to marine
struction, pre-casting, pile driving, combi- hands-on management approach. construction and began to grow the busi-
wall, sheet pile, terminal work and ship/ With a leadership team of just five peo- ness, from a two-person operation to the
barge repair. Its main work is pile driving ple – including the three superintendents 25-person operation that it is today. Most of
from crane barges. who manage projects – staying hands-on the company’s work in the early years was
President Julius Taylor, P.E., sees his has remained feasible for Taylor, who is done in the Wilmington, N.C. area.
small company as a problem-solver. responsible for project estimating, along Taylor joined his father in the business
“We have discovered that there is with overall management. Charlotte Taylor, in 2007, after leaving the U.S. Navy. (A grad-
often a need for someone to come in and his sister, looks after financials and busi- uate of the U.S. Naval Academy with a
solve problems that some of the larger ness development. Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical

PDCA CONTRACTOR MEMBER
Pre-casting dock Building a precast

components for the Sabine pier for the Sabine
Pass Port Authority dock Pass Port Authority
CONSTRUCTION, INC.
Engineering, Taylor had served in the Navy
as a specialist in nuclear propulsion, sur-
Energy (now Duke Power) nuclear power plant
in Southport, N.C. For that project, in 2010,
“Money is tight
face warfare and large-ship operations.)
For the first project in which son Julius
Taylor Marine developed an innovative way
to drive batter piles through a 10-foot layer everywhere and
was involved – the Morris Island Lighthouse
foundation-stabilization project off the coast
of granite. That project earned the company
another PDCA Project of the Year Award. owners appreciate
a company
of South Carolina – the company won the On the museum ship Battleship
2009 PDCA Project of the Year Award for a North Carolina, permanently docked in
marine project over $2 million. The project Wilmington, N.C., the company performed
called for Taylor Marine to install a sheet pile underwater hull repairs using a large coffer- that tries to
cofferdam around the lighthouse within six dam, winning the Carolinas ACG Pinnacle
feet of its foundation using a jack-up barge. Award in 2012 for Best Building Project. minimize costs.”
The company then completed a diversion While working on that project, Taylor
structure stabilization project for the Progress Marine joined the Historic Naval Ships – Julius Taylor, P.E.
PDCA CONTRACTOR MEMBER
Association and learned of a project on Notable jobs since the move include a
Battleship Texas in La Porte, Texas. The recent one for JBS Packing, for which Taylor
company was the successful bidder on both Marine used a Giken Silent Piler to install
the Phase I and II hull repair projects for sheet pile for an emergency cut-off wall.
that ship. It installed new steel framing in “We learned many valuable lessons on
the aft third of the ship, making possible her that one,” said Taylor. “The Silent Piler is not
tow to Galveston several years later. cheap, but it can be the only option for pile
After seeing the amount of opportu- driving near sensitive structures.”
nity in the Houston area, the team chose to For the Sabine Pass Port Authority, the
move the company to Houston in 2015. company opted to change the construc-
“It was an easy decision,” said Taylor. In tion of a concrete pier from cast-in-place
the same year, Julius took over as president to all precast. It designed, formed and
Installing combi-wall at JBS Packing in from his father, who continues to help with precast all dock components in its yard,
Port Arthur, Texas estimating, scheduling and design work. then loaded them on a barge for deliv-
ery to the project site. The change was
deemed necessary because of the low
elevation of the dock relative to the sea
state most of the time at the site, which
would have made cast-in-place work too
time consuming.
Looking forward, “We want to continue
to push on business development and rela-
tionship development to slowly grow our
company,” said Taylor. “We also have plans to
use our marine yard to expand our services.”
Culture and priorities

“We strive to create a workplace culture
that is positive and professional, which
leads to a more efficient and safe work envi-
ronment,” said Taylor.
Emphasizing the importance of safety, he
said: “We rely heavily on our superintendents
to train on safety daily and when required.
We have a safety program and safety manual,
and we do JSAs, but at the end of the day, that
superintendent needs to be watching, super-
vising and leading the way in safety.
“Further,” he said, “we spend more effort
and money on equipment maintenance
than most. We believe that well-maintained
machinery is not only safer; it also saves
money in the long run in regards to effi-
ciency and productivity.”
Its focus on efficiency – and problem
solving – enables the company to pass on
savings to its clients.
“Money is tight everywhere,” said Taylor,
“and owners appreciate a company that
tries to minimize costs.”
Taylor emphasizes that Taylor Marine
was started and became successful under
the leadership and wisdom of his father.
“I have tried to continue his tradition
of quality work, safety first mentality and
integrity in the business as we slowly con-
tinue to grow,” he said. t
Photos: Taylor Marine Construction, Inc.

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CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR 2024
PDCA PROJECT OF THE YEAR AWARD!
This could be you, but first you need to enter one of your
company’s outstanding projects for consideration by the judging panel.
ENTRIES OPEN JAN. 2, 2024
Submit your entry by April 5, 2024.

Visit www.piledrivers.org for entry criteria and submission instructions.
We’ll read about your winning project in Issue 4 2024 of PileDriver magazine.
PDCA ASSOCIATE MEMBER
GERDAU LONG STEEL

NORTH AMERICA
Built around recycling and sustainability, each year the company
transforms millions of tons of scrap into a variety of new steel products
F
By Lisa Kopochinski
ormed in 1901 as a small, family- Headquartered in Tampa, Fla., and a at our facilities in Petersburg, Va., and
run nail factory in Porto Alegre, wholly owned subsidiary of Gerdau S.A., the Midlothian, Texas.”
Brazil, Gerdau has transformed Gerdau Long Steel North America (GLN) Offering a range of H-pile, PS flat sheet
over the past 120-plus years to become a business division operates its network across and PZC piling products, Gerdau sheet pil-
leading global steel producer, with manu- the United States and Canada, with six mills ing has been successfully used in both per-
facturing operations in 10 countries. in the U.S. and three mills in Canada. manent and temporary applications that
Gerdau’s North American business divi- The GLN business division employs cover the entire range of projects in the
sions manufacture long and special steel 4,500 people. Globally, Gerdau employs construction industry.
products for the agricultural, automotive, approximately 30,000. “The high-strength interlocks of Gerdau
construction, distribution, energy, industri- “We produce structural steel, piling, piling permit the sheets to be set and driven
al and mining markets. The company stim- merchant bar, special bar quality and as a continuous wall, which resists the
ulates the economy through its network of rebar to serve customers in agricultural, movement of soil and water,” said Liberty.
recycling operations, steel mills and down- automotive, energy, civil construction, dis- “Gerdau is the industry leader in hot-rolled
stream facilities. Its mills use efficient and tribution, industrial and mining sectors,” steel sheet piling. Our piling provides cus-
clean production practices, including the said Ethan Liberty, sales manager, Piling tomers with numerous advantages, includ-
use of electric arc furnace (EAF) technology. Products. “The company produces piling ing superior strength, material longevity,
The Rockaway Beach dune reinforcement project in New

York City serves as a good example of sheet piling protecting
against coastal erosion. This project was completed in 2022.
reduced space requirements, reduced con-

struction time and a recycled content rate
exceeding 98%.”
“One of our strategic pillars is Gerdau is also expanding what it offers
to the industry.
that we put tremendous focus “We are excited to announce that we
are now rolling the PZC 27/39/41 family,
on our environmental, social expanding our product line feature superior

interlock,” said Liberty.
and governance practices.”

Two notable projects that the company
is especially proud of where its piling was
used include the Port Everglades expansion
– Ethan Liberty and the Rockaway Beach dune reinforce-
ment project in New York City.
“These projects have a massive impact
on the flow of commerce and the safety
of individuals, with the Rockaway project
Bergerson Construction, Inc.
serving as a good example of sheet piling
Marine & Heavy Civil Construction
300 Railroad Avenue, Suite 200 use to protect against coastal erosion,”
PO Box 387 • Astoria, OR 97103 said Liberty.
(503) 325-7130 • CCB# 63328
www.bergerson-const.com Corporate culture and safety
When it comes to its corporate culture,
the company strives to be one of the safest
and admired companies in the global steel
value chain, and one of the most impor-
tant in the Americas.
The company has received Safety and
Health Excellence recognition from the
World Steel Association for melt shop red
zone best practice; the Brandon Hall Group
Gold Award for Excellence in Best Advance
in Benefits Strategy and Administration; and
multiple awards from Fastmarkets. And most
recently, it received Steel Excellence Raw
Materials/Consumables Provider of the Year.
“One of our strategic pillars is that we
put tremendous focus on our environmen-
tal, social and governance practices,” said
Liberty. “This is why Gerdau is in the pro-
cess of becoming B Corp certified.”
B Corp certification is a third-party accred-
itation given to companies that meet high
standards of verified performance, account-
ability and transparency on factors ranging
from employee benefits and charitable giving
to supply chain practices and input materials.
“Safety is also non-negotiable for our
FOR OVER 50 YEARS employees or contractors,” said Liberty.
GCP HAS BEEN A “We strive to ensure that all our employ-
ees, contractors and other visitors to our
LEADER OF INNOVATION
locations go home safely at the end of the
AND SUPPLY TO day. The company seeks to attract, develop
THE PRESTRESSED and retain talented employees who value
CONCRETE PILE FROM the company and its culture; are mindful
FLORIDA TO TEXAS of the wellbeing of themselves and their
coworkers; and embrace customer-centric
PHONE: (228) 452-9486 | WWW.GCPRESTRESS.COM mindsets. This extends beyond the gate
when developing new products as well.”

Gerdau’s piling was used in the Port Everglades expansion in 2019
The company also finds great value in being

in the years to come, is workforce place- committed to making these products in
a member of industry associations – such as
ment and continually improving safety on a way that reduces our carbon footprint
the Pile Driving Contractors Association. the job site. and greenhouse gas emissions.”
“Industry associations provide a venue Liberty says this can be accomplished For example, global warming poten-
for the exchange of ideas and informa- by participating with organizations such tial (GWP) is a metric that measures the
tion, and the sharing of best practices,” as the PDCA and being a part of the amount of CO2 emitted per ton of steel over
said Liberty. “They facilitate growth and Contractors Foundation Institute: Driven the lifespan of a product.
development, providing valuable network- Pile Academy. “Currently, our mills have the lowest
ing opportunities. Associations can provide As for Gerdau’s plans as they relate to GWP of any in the U.S. making piling prod-
additional value through advocacy, public the driven pile industry, Liberty says as ucts, but we are working to lower our GWP
relations, standard development and data.”technologies change and improve, so must by making investments, such as a solar
the company. farm in Texas that supplies our Midlothian
Challenges and the future “Not only is the company commit- mill with enough electricity to power 13,000
Like many companies, one of the primary ted to developing new products that will households.” t
challenges that Gerdau is facing now, and meet customer requirements, but we are Photos: Gerdau
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Luck, opportunity and the next big thing
I
By Jenny Bass, Essve Tech
n his executive director’s message from Issue 3 2023 of “It was important to me to understand how our product fit in
PileDriver magazine, Frank Peters wrote about opportu- the pile driving process,” said Heydon.
nity and luck. He said that some people use the terms inter- While attending this course, Heydon was part of the class that
changeably and then drew the distinction between them, with learned fundamentals of pile driving and went into the field to
examples of each. Luck is brought about by chance. Opportunity is observe the driving of several different types of piles. While he was
the possibility to achieve something. there, he connected with engineers, foremen, estimators and con-
As it turns out, both elements were present when Essve Tech tractors. Some were precast pile manufacturers who were looking
decided to expand operations and purchase an entirely new manu- for a more reliable supply of corrugated dowel tubes.
facturing line to better serve the market in and around the Gulf of We were eager to help, but there was one major issue: the high
Mexico. We are thrilled to share with the PDCA community that corrugation of Essve Tech tubes, a critical property for pull out
Essve Tech is launching a lower profile corrugated dowel tube opti- strength in certain parts of the country, gave the tubes too much
mized for longer embed lengths in concrete piles. flexibility when embedded in longer lengths, such as those used in
The opportunity came in March 2022, when Essve Tech produc- the Gulf Coast area. Throughout the Gulf of Mexico, piles are often
tion manager Justin Heydon attended the Contractors Foundation cast with dowel tubes at 20-foot lengths compared to six feet or eight
Institute: Driven Pile Academy, held at Patriot Construction & feet in other areas of the country. After continued discussions with
Industrial in Duson, La. potential customers and many hours of discussion internally, we
After working several years at Essve Tech without much back- realized that this was an opportunity.
ground in pile driving, Heydon wanted to gain knowledge of how The luck came a few months later.
customers used our product and get a sense of the challenges they We spent weeks sourcing manufacturers who could customize a
faced on the job site. machine to produce the diameters we needed with the right level of
corrugation. We knew the concept would be based on HVAC duct

machines and identified three manufacturers that likely had the capa-
bility. The luck appeared when we learned that all three manufacturers
would be at the AHR (Air Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration) Trade
Show, with a full setup of each base product. And better still, the show In nine hours, we were able
happened to be in Atlanta, where Essve Tech is based.
After lacing up our most comfortable walking shoes and head-
ing downtown, Heydon and I were able to see each machine and
to accomplish what would
talk with engineers about how to customize them to meet the
needs of our customers.
have taken weeks of legwork
We covered almost every inch of the Georgia World Congress
Center, did a lot of talking and watching and speculating, and then
and thousands of dollars in
settled on the Spiro®Tubeformer 1602 that same day. In nine hours,
we were able to accomplish what would have taken weeks of leg- travel, meetings and follow
work and thousands of dollars in travel, meetings and follow ups.
Luck brought us all three suppliers in one place with simultaneous ups. Luck brought us all
three suppliers in one place
machine setups, right in our backyard.
Generally, the main purpose of piles is to carry compression
loads. However, when piles are subject to lateral loads such as
wind, earthquakes or water, connections are required between with simultaneous machine
the pile and the pile cap. Steel dowels are the most used means
of connecting pile caps to the piling. Essve Tech dowel tubes setups, right in our backyard.
are cast into the concrete piles to receive the dowels. Because
the holes are pre-formed by the dowel tubes during the casting
process, it eliminates the need for field drilling entirely, sav-
ing days and sometimes weeks on the job site. The Essve Tech
lower HERBERT
profile dowel tubeF. DARLING,
results INC.which
in a stiffer product,
allows precasters to embed the tubes into concrete piles at
Engineering Contractors
longer lengths with a much straighter void into the pile.
Since 1940
HERBERT F. DARLING, INC.

Engineering Contractors
Since 1940
Serving Upstate NY and Western PA
IN HOUSE DESIGN FOR SHORING

AND COFFERDAMS
-PILE DRIVING -AUGERCAST PILES

-COFFERDAMS -SEWER and WATER LINES
-DAMS -MARINE CONSTRUCTION
-DRILLED SOLDIER PILE WALLS
-INDUSTRIAL FOUNDATIONS
Serving Upstate NY and Western PA
531 FILLMORE AVE TONAWANDA, NY 14150
IN HOUSE DESIGN
(716) 632-1125 FAX FOR SHORING
(716) 632-0705
Website www.HFDarling.com
AND COFFERDAMS
-PILE
68 | ISSUE DRIVING
6 2023 -AUGERCAST
www.piledrivers.org PILES
-COFFERDAMS -SEWER and WATER LINES
Essve Tech is excited to introduce our new low-profile corru-

gated dowel tube into the market starting Jan. 1, 2024. It is avail-
able in diameters ranging from 1.5 inches to 6.125 inches, with
lengths up to 24 feet. It will be offered in 26-gauge and 24-gauge
steel with G60 and G90 level galvanizing.
We were fortunate that PDCA created opportunities to inter-
act with others in the industry and find those nuggets that could
become the next big thing that Frank Peters referred to in his
column. We cannot create luck but will happily take it when it
Essve Tech New Essve Tech Standard shows up. And since the two have come together for us, we are
Low Profile Dowel Tubes High Profile Dowel Tubes diligently working to use it to advance the driven pile. t
Creative, constructible design engineering
solutions for complex applications
P
By Aaron J. Unterreiner, PND Engineers, Inc.
ND Engineers, Inc. has been providing design engineer- “Pile driving of the OCSP system was a critical component
ing services for unique applications of driven pile since to the success of the project,” said Rian Johnson, P.E., S.E., P.Eng.,
the firm’s founding in 1979. Driven piles were featured PND vice president and principal engineer. “The project site is
in the company’s first project in the late 1970s in Ekuk, Alaska, and in an area prone to severe environmental exposure and loading.
PND’s founders established pile driving precedents in arctic and The OCSP system is exposed to waves, scour, seismic events and
marine engineering on a pair of innovative pre-PND projects in the typhoon forces. The system’s resistance was demonstrated when
late-‘60s and mid-‘70s in Southcentral Alaska. Typhoon Rai made a direct hit on the region, and the system per-
PND continues to adapt and adjust its design engineering formed with only superficial damage from the Category 5 storm.”
practices to meet the needs of our clients, from slurry displace- Johnson, who manages PND’s Seattle office and Pacific
ment piles and methods on the North Slope of Alaska to tradition- Northwest operations, saw something similar a few years earlier
al driven pile solutions throughout Alaska, the Pacific Northwest at America’s Cup Village in Sandys Parish, Bermuda, where PND
and elsewhere in the contiguous U.S., Canada and across the globe. designed a 1,345-foot-long and 45-foot-tall bulkhead to create
PND won a PDCA Project of the Year in 2022 for the Taiheiyo nine acres of new land in the south basin of the Bermuda Royal
Cement marine facilities in San Fernando on Cebu Island in the Navy Dockyard.
Philippines, a project that required significant pile driving opera- “We used [the OCSP bulkhead system] as a land reclama-
tions for upgrading the client’s existing gravity block jetty with tion structure for the staging area and viewing platform for the
PND’s proprietary OPEN CELL SHEET PILETM (OCSP) systems at 2017 America’s Cup race,” said Johnson. “Before the race, there
four outer berths, two roll-on/roll-off berths and a pile-supported was a hurricane – a Category 3 hurricane – that made landfall
jetty dock. The OCSP systems, comprised of more than 1,500 driv- across Bermuda. I flew out there about two weeks after the hur-
en piles, successfully weathered a Category 5 typhoon in 2021. ricane, took a look, inspected the OCSP system, and there was no

PDCA ENGINEERING AFFILIATE MEMBER
“This project represents a creative and effective use of driven sheet

pile to address a significant concern of bank erosion and loss of usable
land near waterbodies. This use will become increasingly important
as waterways across the nation – rivers, lakes and coastlines – are
subjected to increasingly severe and frequent flood and storm events.”
– Wade Lundberg, P.E., PND Engineers, Inc.
damage to the cells at all and only limited damage to

the surface features.”
THEN: Pre-PND & PND’s first project

Somewhere on a fishing boat in Bristol Bay in the
late 1970s, a pile buck reached for an available
block of butcher paper and roughly sketched a
new Columbia Ward Fisheries dock at the Ekuk
Cannery. He hand-delivered it to a friend in
Anchorage, Alaska. By late 1979, PND co-founder
Dennis Nottingham advanced his friend’s sketch
into complete design for a 17,000-square-foot pile-
supported dock. Nottingham and Roy Peratrovich,
Jr. incorporated Peratrovich & Nottingham, Inc., then
went to work on their fast-tracked design-build
project – the first project in PND history. The
dock used precast concrete decking on a steel
grid system supported by steel pipe piles. PND
secured a permit in three months, completed the Nigliq Bridge,
design in two months, and construction began in Nuiqsut, Alaska
September; the project was completed in December 1979 for less first award together, a $500 merit award from the James F. Lincoln
than $1.3 million. Arc Welding Foundation.
“There are a lot of firsts we worked on,” Peratrovich said of he “Their first adaptation of using steel pipe for replacing dolphins,
and Nottingham in a 2015 interview. “I found I had a natural lean- when you’d have a timber dolphin that was 50 to 60 piles driven
ing toward that.” together in a bundle all cabled together, whereas you could replace
Before Ekuk, Peratrovich designed the first modern all-steel, it with three to five steel piles? That led to all sorts of innovations,”
all-welded orthotropic bridge in Alaska, a project that set a new said PND senior consultant Bill Gunderson, P.E.
marine engineering standard and served as the template for PND’s In the mid-1970s, Nottingham and Peratrovich won another
first job 10 years later. The project earned PND’s co-founders their Lincoln Arc merit award, their fourth of the decade, for proj-
ects involving design with pile driving applications. Nottingham
designed a 400-foot tied-arch pipeline/vehicle bridge that used
steel piles driven into permafrost, setting a new arctic engineering
standard. The Gulkana River Bridge was designed, fabricated and
constructed in six months.
“Anyone working on the Trans-Alaska (Pipeline System) project
learned what engineering is all about and more,” Peratrovich said
of PND’s Alaska roots. “Major advances in engineering were made,
almost on a daily basis.”
NOW: Present-day PND

Creative innovation has been PND’s hallmark for 45 years.
PND is a dynamic multidisciplinary engineering firm with
125 employees across nine offices. PND is headquartered in
Anchorage, Alaska, with additional office locations in Juneau and
Palmer, Alaska, as well as Seattle, Federal Way and Kennewick,
Gulkana River Wash.; Portland, Ore.; Houston, Texas; and Vancouver, B.C.
Bridge under “PND provides a full range of engineering services from roads
construction
and bridges to buildings, ports and harbors in Alaska and the
Pacific Northwest,” PND president Jim Campbell, P.E., said. “In
other areas of the country, including our Houston office, we spe-
cialize in ports and harbors.”
OUR PEOPLE AND EQUIPMENT The following is a small sample of a few of recent projects
involving unique applications of driven pile in PND’s representative
DRIVE IT HOME geographic locations:
Alaska
Pile Driving - Dredging - Pier | Wharf • Nigliq Bridge | Nuiqsut, Alaska: The 1,421-foot-long steel box
Marine Infrastructure - Shoreline Protection girder pipeline/vehicle bridge with steel pile foundation is the first
Environmental Restoration launched bridge north of the Arctic Circle in North America. The
arctic environment presented numerous challenges during bridge
construction, including workforce limitations due to the project’s
remote location on the North Slope of Alaska, billeting constraints
at accessible camps, maintaining production under extreme-
ly low temperatures (-45°F with wind chills reaching -65°F),
blizzards, limited infrastructure, equipment limitations due to
extreme climate, extended darkness and limited access due to ice
road restrictions. The environmental and logistical constraints
required unique designs for virtually all the structure’s compo-
nents. The varying subsurface conditions further complicated
the pile installation efforts and required pier-specific designs
for maximum install efficiency and to achieve required capaci-
ties. PND designed the bridge substructure using 48-inch-diam-
eter steel pipe piles in three major configurations: adfreeze piles
with and without passive refrigeration, driven piles with PND-
trademarked SPIN FINTM tips for extra bearing capacity in deeply
410.792.9400 thawed zones and tremie grout piles in soils with high salinity.
The bridge abutments used PND’s OCSP system. The installation
WWW.KOKOSING.BIZ of driven piles on several of the icebreaking piers was integral to
Continued on page 74

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Ekuk Cold Storage Port of Kalama Small Cruise

and Dock, 1979 Ship Berth, Kalama, Wash.
the overall success of the installations and played a crucial role

in the overall success of this national award-winning project.
Pacific Northwest
• Hyak Mobile Boat Hoist Facility | Astoria, Ore.: PND is current- “I flew out there about two weeks
ly designer-of-record for the boat haulout piers and boatyard
for this design-build project with Bergerson Construction for
after the hurricane, took a look,
Hyak Maritime. The project includes a 1,500-metric-ton electric- inspected the OCSP system,
powered Travelift, the largest boat haulout on the West Coast.
The haulout’s twin pile-supported piers are 230 feet long and 12 and there was no damage to
feet wide, comprised of steel pipe piles, steel girders and a rein-
forced concrete deck. The shoreline abutment incorporates an the cells at all and only limited
OCSP bulkhead to support the client’s anticipated load capaci-
ties, including a heavy-lift zone to support the Travelift. The dock
damage to the surface features.”
will provide moorage for 200-foot barges and will accommodate
250-foot ships with the potential for expansion to serve the mari-
– Rian Johnson, P.E., S.E., P.Eng.,
time needs of the Columbia River and northern Pacific Coast. PND Engineers, Inc.
• Port of Kalama Small Cruise Ship Berth | Kalama, Wash.: The
recently completed Kalama Small Cruise Ship Berth has become
a model for river cruise berths on the Columbia and Snake riv-
ers. The cruise berth consists of six large-diameter monopile
dolphins with a floating fender unit and integrated mooring
ring. This type of mooring dolphin provides consistent mooring
for cruise vessels regardless of water elevation, as the floating
fender maintains its freeboard. Shore access is provided with a
variable-height pedestrian gangway, meeting ADA accessibility
requirements for all operational conditions. A pile-supported
structural lift tower contains a screw-jack lift system that safely
and reliably adjusts the gangway height to accommodate vari-
ous vessel configurations, water elevations and operational
needs. The use of driven steel pipe piles was critical to the suc-
cess of this project. No other foundation system would have
been suitable to meet this project’s goals, which included limit-
ing construction impacts to the sensitive shoreline area.
Texas
• Zedler Mill Riverbank Reclamation | Luling, Texas: The riv- Hyak Mobile Boat Hoist
Facility, Astoria, Ore.
erbank at the historic Zedler Mill Museum, Pavilion and City
Park was significantly eroding into the San Marcos River, taking

with it valuable real estate. Shallow bedrock at the bottom of the

river prevented driving sheet pile to sufficient depths for a can-
tilevered or tie-back wall. PND designed a 380-foot-long OCSP
retaining wall that required minimal embedment for the face
sheets and ultimately rehabilitated the site to its pre-erosion
state. The pile driving effort represented 55% of the bid costs of
the project. The sheet pile bulkhead formed a perimeter of earth
retention and erosion protection along the river. It also extended
north of the project as a submerged toe wall, supporting and
protecting an armored and soil nail reinforced slope. “Driven
piles provided the owner with an economical and durable
structure that could closely conform to the historic bank align-
ment without extensive excavation and further disruption of
the project site,” said PND vice president and principal engineer
Wade Lundberg, P.E., who manages PND’s Houston office. “This
project represents a creative and effective use of driven sheet
pile to address a significant concern of bank erosion and loss of Brandenburg Marine
Terminal, Brandenburg, Ky.
usable land near waterbodies. This use will become increasingly
important as waterways across the nation – rivers, lakes and
coastlines – are subjected to increasingly severe and frequent
flood and storm events.” The dock was designed for a uniform live load of 750 psf, or a
Sennebogen crane fully loaded with 310 metric tons. The surface
Great Lakes & Inland River System was finished with an 18-inch concrete pavement. Nearly 1,300
• Brandenburg Marine Terminal | Brandenburg, Ky.: A new tons of sheet pile up to 75 feet in length was barged nearly 500
steel mill in Central Kentucky required a barge facility for receiv- miles upriver to the new facility.
ing bulk material along the Ohio River. PND designed a unique • Houghton Waterfront Pier OCSP Bulkhead | Houghton, Mich.:
OCSP bulkhead featuring a high and low dock, each 20 feet PND was designer-of-record for the OCSP system on this proj-
apart in elevation, for unloading during seasonal variations in ect in the Upper Peninsula, supporting the development of a
river stages. The upper dock has a 55-foot exposed wall height. new waterfront park and promenade for the City of Houghton.
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Houghton Waterfront Pier OCSP Milne Inlet Ore Dock,

Bulkhead | Houghton, Mich. Nunavut, Canada
PND divided the wall into two segments of varying cell widths. Baffinland Iron Mines on Baffin Island. The new ore dock and facili-
The first segment uses narrow tailwalls to fit within the pier ties allow loading of ore carriers during the open-water season at
face and existing library. The second segment uses larger cells Milne Port and are expected to ship 3.5 million tonnes per annum
and longer tailwalls to support the taller wall face. The facility of high-grade iron ore. The ore dock provides moorage to accom-
received its first call by a cruise vessel in summer 2023. modate vessels up to post-Panamax size and will act as a mate-
rial offloading facility to accommodate the shiploading operations.
Canada PND designed the marine structures to withstand the expected
• Milne Inlet Ore Dock | Nunavut, Canada: PND provided design heavy ice loads that occur yearly at the Milne Inlet mining port. The
engineering for an OCSP dock and pile-supported structures, facility is the northernmost deepwater vessel berth in the world. t
including an onshore mooring point, for an elevated shiploader at Photos: PND Engineers, Inc.

DESALINATION
PLANT TEST
IN LONG BEACH
This test program is intended to
study a new and less intrusive
way of stripping out seawater
to make it safe for consumption
By Lisa Kopochinski

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
T o test the desalination filtration

process in Long Beach, Calif.,
a pilot project initiated 15
years ago by the City of Long Beach Water
Department has now been removed. It is
being replaced with the $5 million Under
Ocean Floor Seawater Intake Demolition
Project – which will extract test program
equipment.
Long Beach-based Forefront Deep
Foundations recently installed and
extracted temporary sheet pile cofferdams
for a desalination plant test project at
Junipero Beach.
It is the largest desalination test pro-
gram to date in the U.S. and is intended to
study a new and less intrusive way of strip-
ping salt from seawater to make it safe for
consumption.
“This project entailed installing and
extracting temporary cofferdams extend-
ing into approximately 140 feet (discharge
gallery) and 175 feet (intake gallery) respec-
tively into the Pacific Ocean to remove
pipelines and components of a test pro-
gram for a seawater desalination research
project originally installed in 2008,” said
Forefront Deep Foundations president Jeff
Bird. “Forefront assisted general contractor
ARB in the design of sheet pile cofferdams
to optimize the design and incorporate
a crane pad in the cofferdam. This saved
costs as it allowed for a smaller crane on
the project.”
Bird adds that the test program is
intended to study a new and less intrusive
way of stripping out seawater to make it
safe for consumption.
“The project is the largest research pro-
gram of its kind in the country and has the
capability to process 300,000 gallons of sea-
water into drinking water per day,” he said.
The California Coastal Commission per-
mit that allowed for the program and the
pipeline to be installed into the Pacific
Ocean expired this past May.
“The City of Long Beach was required to
remove all components of the test program
by the May 2023 deadline,” said Bird.
Installation of sheet piling at the

onset of the project on Day 1
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
“The project is the largest research program of its kind in

the country and has the capability to process 300,000
gallons of seawater into drinking water per day.”
– Jeff Bird, Forefront Deep Foundations
Forefront crews
driving sheet piles
into the bay for the
sheet pile cofferdam

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
Pile driving operations linear feet. Sheet piles were in lengths rang- material was extracted, it had to be loaded
Forefront Deep Foundations’ nearly $700,000 ing from 25 feet to 35 feet. Sheet piles were onto trucks and shipped back to the suppli-
contract – with the timeline of December installed with an embedment of 15 feet to er in a coordinated sequence due to limited
2022 to April 2023 – involved installing and 25 feet into existing beach sand.” onsite storage areas.”
extracting temporary sheet pile cofferdams The pile driving equipment Forefront Regarding noise and environmental
(with all sheet pile material supplied by the used included a HPSI 300 vibratory ham- considerations, no noise or vibration miti-
general contractor) and providing crane mer that was rented from Bay Machinery gations were required on this project.
support work for the general contractor in out of Richmond, Calif., and a PVE 2316 Biodegradable hydraulic oil was used in
removals of pipelines and test equipment. variable moment vibratory hammer, owned the vibratory hammers as a precaution to
The six-step sequence included the following: by Forefront. The hammer was suspended ensure that in the event of a hydraulic leak,
1. Installing sheet pile cofferdam for the by a 150-ton Link Belt 238 crawler crane. it would not negatively impact the environ-
discharge gallery The companies that supplied the equipment and sea water.
2. Assisting in removals of pipeline and ment and materials included sheet piles,
test equipment at the discharge gallery a rental from National Trench Safety and Challenges and solutions
3. Extracting sheet pile cofferdam for the provided by the general contractor; and On a project such as this, there are always
discharge gallery the crane, a rental from Golden West challenges related to a variety of factors.
4. Installing sheet pile cofferdam for the Construction Services. As this was a high-profile project fea-
intake gallery “Sheet piling proved to be the most tured in local newspapers and the City of
5. Assisting in removals of pipeline and effective and efficient way to provide tem- Long Beach community program, it was
test equipment at the discharge gallery porary shoring for this project given site essential for Forefront to complete the proj-
6. Extracting sheet pile cofferdam for the conditions,” said Bird. “The interlocking ect on schedule.
intake gallery sheet piles were also successful in keeping “The project had to be completed before
water out of the shored excavations, which the California Coastal Commission permit
Bird said Jackson and Sands Engineering extended from the beach into the bay.” expired,” said Bird. “Therefore, Forefront
out of Chico, Calif., provided the temporary The equipment and materials were worked overtime to ensure the project was
cofferdam design. The type of sheet pile stored onsite throughout the duration of completed on time.”
used were PZC-18 sheet piles. the project. To achieve this, it also required the
“A total of 316 pair of PZC-18 sheet piles “However, there was a limited staging Forefront team to strategically plan its work
were installed and extracted, totaling 1,316 area in the beach parking lot. Once the to correlate with low tides to ensure that
www.shorelinesteel.com
TIM KUECKEN
Sales Cell: (586) 615-8753
Interlocking Steel Sheet Piling
Fully Melted and Manufactured in the USA
57760 Main St., Suite 2 • New Haven, MI 48048
(800) 522-9550 • (586) 749-9559 • Fax (586) 749-6653
TONY ADKINS
TIM KUECKEN www.shorelinesteel.com
New Haven, Michigan Paducah, KY
Phone: 586.749.9559 Phone: 810.614.6520
Fax: 586.749.6653 Fax: 270.441.0055
Email: timk.shorelinesteel@gmail.com Email: tonyadkins@shorelinesteel.com
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
As this was a
high-profile project
featured in local
newspapers and
the City of Long
Beach community
program, it
was essential
for Forefront
to complete
the project on
Beach view of installing schedule.
sheet piles into the bay
the sheet pile shoring could be installed up

to 175 feet into the water.
With respect to crane access, Forefront
assisted in the design of the sheet pile cof-
ferdam to incorporate a crane pad that
extended out into the water to allow for
the crane to sit on when sheet piles were
installed and extracted.
Additionally, Bird says due to the nature
of this work, it was essential that Forefront
worked closely with ARB on this project daily.
“As a result of effective planning and
coordination, the two companies were able
to work together as a cohesive team to suc-
cessfully complete this project. We are also
proud to say there were no accidents on the
entire project for both us and ARB.”
Due to a deadline to
And lastly, but certainly not least, Bird finish the project before
said Forefront is honored to be part of a proj- the California Coastal
ect where it is contributing to research and Commission Permit expired,
innovation in the water desalination industry. Forefront worked in one
continuous sequence with
“Thanks to the hard work and exper- crews working on installing
tise of our field personnel and manage- walers on one part of
ment, we are proud to say that the proj- the cofferdam while also
ect was completed safely, on schedule working on installing sheet
piles at the other end
and on budget.” t
Photos: Forefront Deep Foundations

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1 800 PILE USA
MORE THAN MACHINES…

SOLUTIONS.
T he Galveston Berth 10 Marine Improvements Project
was not just a mere undertaking, but a visionary ini-
tiative that set the stage for Royal Caribbean’s new
cruise terminal.
The project opened new horizons and opportunities, making it
possible for the largest Oasis Cruise Ship Class to grace the shores
of sections of the existing concrete wharf ranging from 18 to 33
inches thick. Each slab was wire sawn to ensure the weight was
manageable by the crane.
After each dolphin location was unearthed, probing the proposed
pile locations was critical. The existing land-side bulkhead had 24-inch
battered piles in line with the new pile alignment. The probing efforts
of Galveston, Texas. The sheer magnitude of this undertaking is set were required to be precise to verify the orientation of the existing bat-
to transform the region, as the $125 million investment, in partner- tered pile. Based on the probing findings, eight of the 20 dolphins had
ship with Royal Caribbean, the Port and Ceres, will create a stag- to be redesigned to avoid the existing conditions.
gering 800 new jobs, generate $1.4 billion in local business services Avoiding the existing wharf battered pile was the largest tech-
revenue, and contribute $5.6 million in state and local taxes. nical challenge that the engineer – Jacobs Engineering Group of
The Galveston Berth 10 Marine Improvements Project was Cape Canaveral, Fla. – had to overcome. Due to the uncertainty of
designed to avoid obstructions and avoid causing damage to the the existing pile alignment, drilled shafts or other means of deep
existing structures. The scope of work consisted of the removal foundations ran the risk of damaging the adjacent structures.

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
Galveston
Berth 10 Marine
Improvements
Project Russell Marine LLC helps
transform the shores
of Galveston, Texas
By Brandon Bicknell, Cameron Toups
and Kenneth Lawler, Russell Marine LLC
A vibratory hammer installing one

of the 36-inch-diameter batter piles
Without the redesign of the pile orientations, the project would

have struggled to be successful.
Driven piles were beneficial in other ways, as well. In an ever-
changing and temperamental environment like the Texas Gulf
Coast, driven pipe piles are more often than not best suited due to
the high salinity content of the water and soil makeup. To take on
a vessel as large as roll-on/roll-off (RORO) vessels, larger diameter
piles were required for breasting and mooring structures. Vessels of
this size produce an enormous amount of pressure when breasted
and moored at the berth. These piles absorb large amounts of
energy and, when paired with a marine fender system, provide
an efficient breasting system for large vessels. Despite the wide
array of breasting and mooring structure options on the market
today, large diameter pipe piles are the most economical choice,
Pouring a fascia beam three feet underwater
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
Fascia beam roughened for second placement
Setting the
floating template
especially when considering life cycle cost, making them ideal for
this project in particular.
Dolphins
Russell Marine LLC drove forty 42-inch-diameter and thirty-six
36-inch-diameter open-ended steel piles; and forty-eight 18-inch-
diameter open ended steel piles.
The pile lengths ranged from 150 to 168 feet, depending on the soil
borings and conflicts with the existing wharf battered pile. Each dol-
phin type consisted of two plumb and two battered piles. Due to the
existing conditions, the battered piles were vibrated using an HPSI 500
vibratory hammer. Once both battered piles were stood and vibrated,
the piles were driven to grade using a D62 diesel hammer. All piles
Concrete demolition
were driven full length with no splices by use of 300-ton crane barge.
A four-foot-thick concrete slab was poured for each cluster of
four or 12 piles, depending on their diameter (36 inches and 42
inches for the former, and 18 inches for the latter). The slabs, which
were an integral part of the project, featured a nine-foot by 5.5-foot
cast-in-place concrete panel on the breasting line that provided
support for a Trelleborg foam-filled fender. This fender-support
panel remained underwater at a depth of two to three feet through-
out the entire duration of the project.
Challenging logistics and a fast-tracked schedule

Understanding and being able to meet the needs of the client is a
critical component to the success of a project.
Russell Marine faced several challenges during the construc-
tion of the wharf due to the adjacent new cruise terminal project.
Installing rebar in a fascia beam

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
At Galveston Wharves, Berth 10 is the most active BMW Port in the

Texas-Gulf Region.
The new project occupied all access into Russell Marine’s work
area, making it essential to synchronize our projects for deliveries
and egress to the sites. Additionally, BMW’s RORO vessels occupied
the work area on a non-regular basis, which required the relocation
of all equipment to a separate location to ensure the continuity of
offloading operations.
However, Russell Marine demonstrated remarkable coordina-
tion abilities to ensure that the dock remained open throughout
the construction of the wharf. With the joint effort between Jacobs
and Russell Marine, work schedules were modified to accommo-
date the Port’s active operations and meet the construction sched-
ule, thereby minimizing the impact of the project redesign on the
overall project completion date.
The Galveston Berth 10 Improvements Project set the precedent
that the marine improvements scope of work needed to be completed
by July 2022 for the Royal Caribbean team to open their new terminal.
Due to the precedent set by the owner to meet the project
completion date and the project redesign, Russell Marine elected
to work on five separate work fronts.
The Operations team leaned out the concrete forming opera-
tions into three separate headings: (1) demolition/closure pours
preparations crew; (2) underwater concrete forming/pouring
crew; and (3) suspended soffit forming crew. The divide-and-
conquer approach to the concreting operations allowed each
foreman to hone the optimal sequence to complete the work.
Adding to the logistical challenge, the Galveston Berth 10
Improvements Project coincided with three other projects
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
Despite the wide array of breasting and mooring structure

options on the market today, large diameter pipe piles are
the most economical choice, especially when considering life
cycle cost, making them ideal for this project in particular.
taking place in the same work area. Each of these projects posed
significant conflicts with Russell Marine’s work. The Pier 10
Rehabilitation Project involved pile driving activities that over-
lapped with Russell Marine’s concreting operations, structural
repairs within every dolphin location and the new cruise termi-
nal project presented challenges as it shared staging areas with
Russell Marine. The terminal project caused access restrictions
to Russell Marine’s project due to large concrete pours and the
need to establish cranes at the port entrances to navigate the
congested work area.
Multi-disciplinary operations
The Galveston Berth 10 Marine Improvements Project show-
cased Russell Marine’s ability to coordinate amongst multi-
disciplinary operations.
The dock remained open throughout the construction of the
wharf; the RORO vessels occupied Russell Marine’s work area on
non-regular intervals and all equipment needed to be relocated
to a separate location to ensure the continuity of BMW’s offload-
ing operations.
The owner–Russell teams modified work schedules to
accommodate the Port’s active operations and meet the con-
struction schedule. Setting a 36-inch-diameter pile
The joint effort between Jacobs and Russell Marine allowed for
minimal impact, from the project redesign, on the overall project
completion date.
Based on the value engineering provided by Russell Marine,
problem solving ability to coordinate amongst multi-disciplinary
projects and unique design of the pile templates Russell Marine
considers the Galveston Berth 10 Project to be exemplary accom-
plishment within the marine pile driving industry. t
Photos: Russell Marine LLC
HEAVY MARINE & WATERFRONT CONSTRUCTION
30 Church Street office: 908.580.0200

P.O. Box 0811 fax: 908.580.0880
Liberty Corner, NJ 07938-0811 www.trevcon.com
Impact hammer installing a 42-inch pile

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Ocean Transport
Kokosing builds critical
infrastructure to support submarine
construction for the U.S. Navy
By Zac Jones, Kokosing Marine Division
K okosing recently completed the OTB Ocean Transport

Barge (OTB) Berth for the largest private employer in
the state of Virginia, the Newport News Shipyard a
Huntington Ingalls company.
This pier will be a part of a group of critical pieces of infrastruc-
ture that will help facilitate the construction of the new Columbia
Class Nuclear submarines for the United States Navy. The pier is
located at the north end of the shipyard, jutting out at a 45-degree
angle into the James River. The pier was designed to meet higher
than usual bearing pressures that would allow the barge that car-
ries the hulls of the submarine to moor up to the berth and lift the
bow out of the water. By doing this, it allows the robotic transport
carrier system to roll on and off the barge and onto the berth to
transport the hulls to various areas of the assembly process.
From the berth, the submarine hulls would be transported
down a network of roads into the joint manufacturing facil-
ity where the hulls are robotically welded together, sand blasted
and painted. Once complete, the hull is driven through the yard
onto the pier and loaded back on the barge where it is shipped to
Connecticut for more outfitting.
Due to unique geological factors and extreme load require-
ments demanded for the piles, the engineer on record specified
hollow steel pipe piles. The soil in the James River is composed
mostly of the “Norfolk Layer,” which contains unsuitable soil that
doesn’t allow for any bearing or skin friction to be applied to the
pile. There was, however, a small layer of “Yorktown” material past
the Norfolk layer that is capable of adhering to the pile and creates
a tremendous amount of skin friction, which would allow the large
capacities required to be met.
There is no bedrock present on the coast of Virginia, so bear-
ing piles would not be feasible in this application. For that reason,
the engineer used pipe pile to tap into that deep Yorktown forma-
tion and get the skin friction on both the inner and outer layers
of the pipe pile. A sister project in Connecticut with the same pile
design requirements used precast concrete piles that were able to
be driven into the river and down to bedrock, creating the bearing
pressure needed.
The pier consisted of 130 steel pipe pile that were 30 inches in
diameter with one-inch-thick walls at 125 feet long. Of these 130
pipe piles, seven needed to enter the test pile program using PDA
testing. These piles were picked with a 300-ton Manitowoc crane
mounted on a barge.

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
Barge Berth
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
This pier will be a

part of a group of
critical pieces of
infrastructure that
will help facilitate
the construction of
the new Columbia
Class Nuclear
submarines for the
United States Navy.
A series of temporary single stage templates were designed and 112,000 lbs. In order to safely pick, set and weld the cap in place, a
fabricated to assists in the tight tolerances that were required from special rigging plan needed to be designed and engineered.
the engineer on record. The piles were first picked from the material The OTB Berth recently finished its rounds of testing from the
laydown barge and set inside the pockets of the single stage tem- barge, which applied nearly 2,000 tons of downward force into the
plate. Once the piles were in place, the first 40 linear feet (LF) of the pier. This project was unique in that the contractual completion
pile were vibrated down with a Geoquip HPSI 500 vibratory hammer. date could not slide due to the rigorous testing that needed to be
From there, a Geoquip D-62 impact hammer drove the pile to grade. done by the barge to the pier. If the testing window was missed,
Additionally, there were two mono piles that were eight feet in the construction of the new Columbia Class Submarines would be
diameter by 150 feet long, weighing more than 150,000 lbs. each. To put behind schedule, affecting the Navy’s timeline in bringing these
drive these large mono piles, a series of templates were designed and powerhouse submarines to international waters.
installed. From there, a Manitowoc 4600 picked the piles from the Kokosing is especially proud of its work on this project due to the
laydown barge and set the pile into the template. Once secured in the extreme engineering requirements and innovative solutions needed
template, an ICE-100 impact hammer drove the mono pile to grade. for the tremendous weights the piles and pier would be under.
These mono piles would later receive a hollow steel cylindrical This structure plays a large role in the history of U.S. Naval ships
cap that was over 10 feet tall and eight feet in diameter and would and vessels. The OTB Berth and the piles it sits on will be the catalyst
house the fender system the new barge would moor up to. This in creating the world’s most powerful nuclear submarines. Without
steel cap needed to receive concrete to fill up the void inside of this pier, these submarines would not be able to be logistically
the cylinder. The cap was roughly 400 feet from land in the middle assembled in such a short window, required by the vastly chang-
of the river, which posed an issue for placing concrete in the void. ing geopolitical temperature. With this pier, it allows the subma-
To place the concrete more effectively and safely, Kokosing rines to be manufactured and international waters to be patrolled
decided to form and pour the concrete at their local yard and float and kept safe by the world’s strongest Navy, the U.S. Navy. t
the cap in place. Once poured, the cap weighed approximately Photos: Kokosing

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PORT FREEPORT VELASCO
TERMINAL BERTH 8
project built by a public port on the Texas Gulf Coast
By Ali McFarland, McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
On the left, early pile driving

operations for the combi-wall
bulkhead scope of this project. On
the right, all cast-in-place topping slab
for the wharf and backlands complete
in this photo, minimal concrete pours
remaining for Roll-On Roll-Off dock
before substantial completion.
P ort Freeport, 60 miles from

downtown Houston, is one of the
fastest growing ports in Texas
and is undertaking an expansion to handle
an increased flow of goods. These projects
include building new container terminals,
(RORO) dock adjacent to Berth 8, consisted
of nearly 1,500 pipe and sheet pile to serve
as the foundation for the wharf structure
above. The 1,285 pipe piles ranged from 30
inches to 48 inches in diameter and 45 feet
to 166 feet in length. The 173 sheet piles
structure itself. At completion of this proj-
ect, McCarthy had driven over 194,000 feet
of pile (pipe/sheet pile combined).
Choosing driven piles

Driven piles were the best design solution
including Berth 8, which is the single largest used in the construction of the combina- because of the soil conditions, design loads
project built by a public port on the Texas tion wall were PAZ36 x 0.75-inch wall thick- and phasing requirements of the project.
Gulf Coast, and the $295M Freeport Harbor ness and 45 feet to 71 feet long. McCarthy The geotechnical conditions on site had
Channel Improvement Project. The Harbor used hammers from American Piledriving weak lean clay and silty sand layers for the
Channel Improvement Project will deepen Equipment to install the piles. first 40 to 60 feet of pile embedment, which
the waterway from 46 to 56 feet, making First, McCarthy had to construct the then transitioned to stiff clays. Therefore,
Port Freeport the deepest port in Texas and bulkhead portion of this project, which is a the piles would transfer all the axial load
opening the state to larger ships. critical component of the Freeport protec- through friction and end bearing was not
Port Freeport hired McCarthy Building tion levee system and vital for flood control considered. The driven pipe pile allowed the
Companies to execute the Velasco Terminal purposes. Once this bulkhead construc- development of the friction, which capacity
Berth 8 expansion as the prime general tion was complete, the project team could was verified later by the PDA test results.
contractor. The $129M project, which later then move on to all other construction in In addition, the loading of the berth
grew to $140M with the additional scope front, such as the existing pile demolition, included 1,000 psf surcharge loads for the
containing construction of a roll-on roll-off dredging and pile driving for the wharf typical deck area, 2,500 psf surcharge for
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
Combi-wall
construction, concrete
cap placement,
and continued
mechanical dredging
within wharf limits
the heavy lift zone and the container crane expedited the start of the berth pile founda- of spacing. With 36-inch-diameter piles uti-
rail loads which drove the pile tips down to tion construction. lized, there was only a gap of nine inches
-145 feet (NAVD88), resulting in pile lengths between the crane support and bulkhead
of 166 feet. Challenges and batter piles. Therefore, using templates
The phasing of the project required the McCarthy’s solutions and surveying pile inclinations was vital to
combination wall bulkhead to be installed The pile layout from the bulkhead bat- installing the piles on schedule and in the
first to maintain the federal line of protec- ter piles to the crane rail support piles proper locations to avoid conflicts.
tion levee system. By using steel driven was extremely tight. For the typical berth, Another challenge was driving the new
piles, McCarthy was able to expedite the the spacing was 105 inches and the RORO berth piles around the existing concrete
installation of the bulkhead wall, which heavy lift section of the berth had 90 inches deadman piles and steel sheet piling. The
existing bulkhead condition was not per-
fectly plumb nor perfectly in alignment,
so the variances in the as-builts to field
conditions varied up to two feet and con-
flicted with the waterside crane rail piles.
McCarthy had to be creative and adaptive
to installing crane beam support piles in
different configurations along the length of
the berth. This was accomplished through
sound surveying of the top of pile to the
mudline to project where the piles tipped
well below the mudline, coupled with cre-
ative pile templates which allowed for
quick lateral adjustments while maintain-
ing longitudinal spacing specified by the
engineer of record.
Innovative thinking
A large part of the Berth 8 project was
the combiwall bulkhead, consisting of 171
plumb piles, 105 batter piles and 148 pairs
of sheet piles. During the planning stages

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
Combi-wall bulkhead
and concrete cap
placement is complete
in this photo, the
crews seen working
here are two pile
driving crews (water &
land) and crews setting
pre-cast concrete
wharf beams on piles
driven to finish grade.
of the project, the team decided to use a

vertical travel fixed lead system to drive
the pipe piles for the bulkhead as opposed
to using offshore leads for the plumb piles
and swinging leads for the battered piles
This decision was made with the intent
as it was originally estimated. This deci-
sion was made with the intent of increas-
of increasing production and reducing
ing production and reducing material material costs for pile templates.
costs for pile templates.
This alternative approach to execute this
scope of work exemplifies how our project
team was able to come up with innovative
solutions to accomplish the tasks at hand.
This being the first project in McCarthy’s
portfolio in which this lead system was uti-
lized, this presented some challenges and
risks associated with this sort of equipment.
The project staff evaluated these risks, pile
C
driving production and potential time and M
overall schedule savings with this operation

Y
and ultimately decided that this was the

CM
best method to construct the combiwall.
In the end, the team was successful and MY
correct with their preliminary assessmentCY
surrounding the production efficiency of CMY
this operation and were able to reclaim sig-

K
nificant time in the project schedule.
145’ LONG
Pile template 60” DIAMETER BERMINGHAMMER.COM
One of the cost saving measures McCarthy’s - NO SPLICE -
project staff implemented from the early
stages of planning this job was the design
PROJECT SPOTLIGHT
Two pile driving crews can

be seen working here driving
the plumb structural pile for
the wharf structure, one crew
operating from a crane barge
Pile driving operations nearing completion, continues cast-in-place waterside via water, the other on land.
and landside crane beams, and pre-cast wharf deck panels can be seen installed
throughout the length of the wharf.
of the pile template which would be used lifting and moving the pile templates, it
for all of the plumb pile or the foundational was important that the water level was
The Port Freeport support of the wharf itself. The staff opted
to design a template that would allow 22
high enough so they could move close to
where they were setting the templates and
Velasco Terminal Berth piles to be driven before moving and reset- driving the pile.
ting the template in its next location was
8 project was not only required, which can be a time-consuming A job well done
task that ultimately inhibits the produc- The Port Freeport Velasco Terminal Berth
the largest project built tion pile driving crews. This decision by the 8 project was not only the largest project
team created efficiency in the field, which built by a public port on the Texas Gulf
by a public port on the resulted in labor and time savings, which Coast at the time of its award, but upon
all equate to reduced cost to the overall bot- this project’s completion, it will have an
Texas Gulf Coast at tom line of the project. immense impact on the revenue able to be
generated through port operations. This is
the time of its award, Working on the water not only beneficial to Port Freeport itself,
Since this project site was located on the but to the City of Freeport, the local com-
but upon this project’s water, there were environmental and spill munities and the Texas Gulf Coast region
prevention plans in place to prevent leaks as a whole.
completion, it will have from equipment as well as debris from get- This infrastructure expansion doubles
ting into the water. the capacity of Port Freeport’s import
an immense impact Another environmental consideration and export operations and allows simul-
on the revenue able to for this project was the weather. The wind
had to be monitored daily, to ensure work
taneous ship to shore operations of mul-
tiple post-Panamax ships. With its new
be generated through could be continued safely. If it was too
windy, it would be difficult for tugboats
capacities, Port Freeport will continue to
grow as one of the Texas Gulf Coast and
port operations. to move the barges across the water and
unsafe for man lifts to be lifted into the air.
National export and import industry lead-
ing ports and this project served as the
Water levels were another factor for this catalysts to do just that. t
project. Because the crews were consistently Photos: McCarthy Building Companies

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LEGAL
OVERVIEW OF
DISRUPTION CLAIMS
ON CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
This is how contractors can protect themselves
C
By C. Ryan Maloney, Esq.
onstruction projects are com- delay to the critical path of the work on the how they are different than delay claims,
plex endeavors that involve project, because they result in lost produc- and under what circumstances a contrac-
numerous variables, from plan- tivity and increased costs. tor or subcontractor may potentially be
ning and design to execution. Even with the Under certain circumstances, a contrac- entitled to relief due to the disruption.
best planning, unforeseeable events can tor or subcontractor may be entitled to
occur that cause disruption to the con- assert a claim to recover additional costs What is a disruption claim?
lightwise/123RF
tractor’s or subcontractor’s plan for perfor- due to the disruption to its work. This A disruption claim on a construction proj-
mance of the work. These disruption events article provides an overview of disruption ect is generally based on a reduction in the
can be costly, even if they do not result in a claims on construction projects, including planned and expected productivity of labor

LEGAL
and equipment during a given period on

the project caused by an event or events
outside of the contractor’s control and
within the control of the other party to the
contract. Due to this loss of productivity, Disruption can have significant
impacts on a contractor’s
the contractor incurs higher costs, includ-
ing through added manpower, overtime
and/or additional equipment costs, than
the contractor planned for to complete the
work. This results in the contractor losing
costs to complete the work.
money, even if the contractor’s work or the
project completion is not delayed.
and expensive than [the subcontractor] range reasonably foreseeable at the time
How is a disruption claim different anticipated and than it should have been.1 of contracting.
than a delay claim? As explained by one court, “There is
A disruption claim is different from a delay Under what circumstances can a range of reasonably expected adverse
claim because disruption is based on a loss a contractor claim additional conditions in the performance of a con-
in productivity to work activities, even if the compensation due to disruption? struction contract within which there is
work activities do not delay the critical path A contractor or subcontractor may be enti- no breach…It is only to the extent that [the
for completion of the project. One court tled to additional compensation due to a contractor’s] lack of diligence as a general
explained the fundamental distinction disruption if the contractor can prove that: contractor caused these adverse conditions
between the disruption claim and delay (a) it suffered an abnormal loss of produc- to move outside that expected range that
claim as follows: tivity beyond the normal range inherent in [the subcontractor] is entitled to recovery.”3
Unlike the delay claim, the disruption the construction process; and (b) that the However, productivity can be difficult to
claim is intended not to redress [the subcon- loss was caused solely by events within the measure, such that the inability to prove the
tractor’s] loss from being unable to work, but control of the other party to the contract.2 amount of loss of productivity with exac-
to compensate [the subcontractor] for the In determining whether disruption was titude does not necessarily bar recovery
damages it suffered from [the contractor’s] abnormal, courts typically look to whether for the loss. Luria Bros. & Co., Inc. v. United
actions that made its work more difficult the actual disruption exceeded a normal States, 369 F.2d 701, 712 (Ct. Cl. 1966).4
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LEGAL
In addition to proving abnormal disrup-

tion, the contractor also must be able to
prove that the disruption was solely caused
by the causes or events within the control
of the other party to the contract. In other
words, this requires proof that “but for” the HAMMER&STEEL
occurrence of the event within the owner’s
control, the loss of productivity would not
have occurred. Because of the numerous
variables on a construction project that
may affect productivity, this can be a dif-
ficult showing. Where lost productivity is Steel Sheet Piling
caused by multiple events, some of which
were outside the owner’s control, the con- Hammers & Vibrators
tractor may not be able to meet its burden.
It is important to enhance the chance of Multi Purpose Mobilram Rigs
success of a disruption claim for the con- (as shown)
Large Diameter Drilling Rigs
tractor to provide timely notice of the dis-
ruption to the other party under the con-
tract. Equally as important, the contractor
needs to document and track the additional
Micropile & Anchor Rigs
costs due to the disruption. This may include Grout Mixing & Pumping Equipment
through using separate cost codes or other
methods to be able to demonstrate the labor Electronic Monitoring Systems
productivity before and after the disrupting
event. Due to the complex nature of a dis- Sales, Rentals, Consulting
ruption claim, the contractor may need to & On-Site Service
engage an outside expert consultant to assist
in proving entitlement and quantifying the 6 Offices, 5 Equipment Yards
damages caused by the disruption.
Conclusion
Disruption can have significant impacts on
a contractor’s costs to complete the work.
Contractors that can act quickly to recog-
nize what may constitute a disruption to
provide the required contractual notice in
a timely manner, and that understand how
the claim must be documented to establish
that the disruption’s effect on the work,
will have a greater chance at successfully
obtaining relief on a disruption claim. t
References
1. U.S. Industries, Inc. v. Blake Constr. Co.,
671 F.2d 539, 546 (D.C. Cir. 1982).
2. See Ace Constructors, Inc. v. United
States, 70 Fed. Cl. 253, 282 (2006), aff ’d,
499 F.3d 1357 (Fed. Cir. 2007) (“A con-
tractor may recover for loss of efficien-
cy if it can establish both that a loss
of efficiency has resulted in increased
costs and that the loss was caused [by
the government].”).
3. Bat Masonry Co., Inc. v. Pike-Paschen
Joint Venture, III, 842 F. Supp. 174, 182
4.
(D. Md. 1993).
Needles v. United States, 101 Ct. Cl. 535,
www.hammersteel.com | 1-800-325-PILE (7453)
618, 1944 WL 3698 (1944).

Earn 7 Professional Development Hours (PDH) – Including 1 Hour of Ethics
“Certificate of Completion” will be provided.
Gulf Coast Chapter
ENGINEERS
CONFERENCE
March 13-14, 2024
DN
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Mr. Kirt Jackson
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225.588.7257
kirt.jackson@cajunusa.com
MA
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14200 River Road 225.715.3842
Baton Rouge, LA 70820 ldsmith@ecslimited.com
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Registration includes: Crawfish Boil, Conference Breakfast, and Lunch
IN MEMORIAM
Commemorating the Legacy

of GZA Co-Founder Bill Zoino
I
By Patrick Sheehan, President & CEO, GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc.
t is with sadness and great respect GeoProfessional Business Association (GBA) knowing and working with Bill, those three
that GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. and as president of the Boston Society of terms capture the essence of Bill’s long and
announces the passing of our co- Civil Engineers (BSCES). Bill retired in 1994, illustrious career and legacy.
founder, William “Bill” Zoino, P.E. Bill after which he remained an active geotech- In lieu of flowers, donations may
passed away on Saturday, July 22, 2023. He nical consultant and advisor, leaving a legacy be made in Bill’s memory to the MIT
lived a long and wonderful life filled with of professionalism and expertise for his col- Department of Civil and Environmental
love and enjoyed much personal and pro- leagues in the industry and beyond. Engineering for the Donald T. Goldberg
fessional success. When asked by BSCES several years ago (1954) and William S. Zoino (1954)
A dual graduate of the Massachusetts to provide a perspective on his career and Endowment Fund Fellowship. Contribute
Institute of Technology, Bill began his the founding of GZA, Bill said, “Together online at MIT’s giving page or by check.
career primarily as a dam engineer. After with Don Goldberg, we provided jobs for Checks can be mailed to:
serving his country in the U.S. Navy, Bill over 2,500 people. But I’m most proud to tell Massachusetts Institute of Technology
worked on engineering projects all over the you that those people were people-servers. In P.O, Box 412926
United States and overseas. In 1964, Bill and my view, that’s what life is all about. It’s a phi- Boston, MA 02241-2926
his MIT classmate Don Goldberg started losophy that Don and I share. Our employees
a consultancy based on the belief that if count. Their families count first, their profes- Your gift is for the Goldberg-Zoino
you provide quality engineering services, sion counts second. We shared that goal, and (1954) Fund. t
operate with integrity and create a collegial we also believed in quality in our projects.”
environment in which your employees feel Professional quality, service, family PDCA offers its sincere condolences to the
appreciated and empowered to develop first. For all of us who had the privilege of family, friends and colleagues of Bill Zoino.
innovative solutions for their clients, the
firm will be successful.
They were right, and the firm they cre-
ated is still thriving six decades later. Professional quality, service, family first…
While Bill was dedicated to the develop-
ment of GZA and its people, he was also those three terms capture the essence of
a significant contributor to the engineer-
ing community, serving as president of the Bill’s long and illustrious career and legacy.

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PDCA members need to know
W GRL ENGINEERS, INC. ANNOUNCES BRIAN than 75 technical papers, articles, book chapters and presentations
MONDELLO, P.E., AS FLORIDA BRANCH MANAGER on deep foundations.
This vast experience in the deep foundations industry was a
GRL Engineers, Inc., announce Brian
natural lead into the role of executive director of global industry
Mondello, P.E., will become the new
relations. Hussein, already a sought-after speaker and consultant,
manager of the GRL-Florida branch
will collaborate with engineering, construction and academia
office, effective October 2023. Mondello
industry partners worldwide to help promote efficient, reliable
has been with GRL since 2001, and dur-
and cost-effective quality control and assurance testing methods
ing his GRL career he has conducted
to advance the use of deep foundations of all types.
high strain dynamic foundation testing,
“The deep foundations industry is a special and, in many ways,
integrity testing and SPT energy testing
distinctive segment within civil engineering and construction. The
and analysis on hundreds of projects in
inherent uncertainty associated with working with natural materi-
the U.S. and abroad. Mondello succeeds
als and installations deep in the ground introduces challenges and
Mohamad Hussein, P.E., as branch manager as Hussein steps into
risks that must be understood, evaluated and managed for a suc-
his new role as executive director of global industry relations with
cessful project,” said Hussein.
both GRL Engineers and Pile Dynamics, Inc.
“I am excited for the opportunity in my new role within GRL,
W CZM HIRES CHRISTINE FOURNIER
and look forward to continuing to provide GRL’s specialized engi-
neering services to the bridge, marine and other heavy civil con- CZM Foundation Equipment has hired
struction fields,” said Mondello. Christine Fournier for the position of
marketing manager. She will oversee all
W MOHAMAD HUSSEIN, P.E., NOW aspects of marketing and communica-
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF GLOBAL tions for the company.
INDUSTRY RELATIONS FOR PILE DYNAMICS, Fournier has over 16 years of stra-
INC. AND GRL ENGINEERS, INC. tegic and creative marketing expertise,
having previously worked with CURE
Pile Dynamics, Inc. (PDI) and GRL
Childhood Cancer, Joselove Filson
Engineers, Inc. (GRL) cooperatively
Advertising Agency and Savannah mag-
announce Mohamad Hussein, P.E., as
azine. She will work alongside the sales team in the CZM head-
executive director of global industry
quarters office in Savannah, Ga.
relations, a newly developed strategic
CZM Foundation Equipment offers a comprehensive line of
role within the organizations.
drilling rigs engineered for various foundation applications, manu-
Hussein has been with GRL Engineers
factured in the U.S. at its 75,000 sq. ft facility in Ellabell, Ga., just
since 1982 and currently serves as chair-
outside Savannah, with After Sales branches in Texas, California
man of the board and executive vice
and Kentucky. Its machines are available for sale and rent through-
president and was previously the man-
out North America. For more information, visit www.czm-us.com.
ager of the Florida office for more than 30 years. He is also the past
chairman of the board of directors of Pile Dynamics, Inc.
W SEAN VANDEDRINCK JOINS RUSSELL
In his 40-year career, Hussein had an early association with the
MARINE’S OPERATIONAL LEADERSHIP
pioneers of deep foundations modern testing and analysis meth-
ods and equipment and worked on more than 1,000 deep founda- Senior project manager Sean
tion projects in 30 states in the U.S. and 15 countries. His work Vandedrinck has joined Russell Marine’s
includes hundreds of projects in Florida (many receiving industry operational leadership with nearly a
awards) and participated in Florida Department of Transportation decade of international experience in
(FDOT) sponsored research on driven piles and drilled shafts in marine construction. Vandedrinck’s his-
association with several universities. tory of strong interpersonal relation-
Hussein frequently organizes conferences, educational courses ships with all stakeholders coupled with
and seminars on deep foundations. He also trains engineers, con- his technical abilities have made him
tractors and state DOTs on foundation testing and analysis, fre- the strategic fit for Russell Marine’s East
quently co-edits conference proceedings and books and has more Coast endeavors in managing complex

INDUSTRY NEWS
Photos: Russell Marine LLC

marine construction projects from Virginia along the East Coast Construction and Orion Marine Construction – which was actually
to Florida and the upper Caribbean Basin. founded by Russell Marine’s CEO, Russell Inserra.
Since earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in ocean engi- Some of Vandedrinck’s most impressive projects have included
neering at Florida Institute of Technology, Vandedrinck has offshore windfarms off the coast of Kent in the United Kingdom,
managed projects in some of the most challenging sites in the an offshore water intake structure for a ski resort in Lutsen, Minn.,
marine construction industry with DEME, Roen Salvage Marine and construction of the berthing facility at Disney’s private island
Castaway Cay, Bahamas.
Phone: 985-643-0690 “The construction industry, specifically marine construction,
brings a unique set of challenges that no other industry can offer,”
Specialty Piling Systems he said. “Solving these complex problems and seeing the final
is now a division of product at project completion are the biggest motivators for my
team and myself to work efficiently and safely.”
Russell Marine awarded Charleston project and opens

South Carolina office
601-268-1105 | greg@masonforestproducts.com Russell Marine has been awarded the lump sum design-build part-
nership USCG Pier November Project in Charleston, S.C.
Continuing a tradition as the premier supplier This competitively bid project is the product of Russell Marine’s
of plywood cushions for all shapes and sizes of design-build partnership with Whiting-Turner and consists of the
demolition, dredging and construction of a 1,100-foot by 82-foot
concrete piles – square, octagonal, round and concrete pile-supported pier designed to support five NSC vessels.
especially cylinder piles – solid or hollow. Along with the pier, Russell Marine is performing in-water demoli-
tion and recovery of the failed bulkhead followed by the construc-
tion of a new 770 linear foot sheet pile bulkhead with grouted soil
anchor tiebacks. The entire project site will then be hydraulically
and mechanically dredged to a final depth of 30 feet.
This project triggers the start of construction on the new U.S.
Coast Guard Superbase, being strategically built on what used to
be the Charleston Naval Base in South Carolina.
Russell Marine has recently opened its East Coast office on
Spruill Avenue in North Charleston, S.C.
From this office, Russell Marine will service all marine con-
struction, upland piling and rail projects from Norfolk, Va., down
www.PileDrivingCushions.com CajunPD@gmail.com and around to Tampa, Fla., including strategic projects in the
Upper Caribbean Basin. Employees from the new office have
Phone: 985-707-7353 already joined the PDCA South Carolina Chapter. t

HAMMERS
Locations
&
Phone Numbers
APE Northwest / Corporate Headquarters
We Drive Piledriving Technology. 7032 South 196th St.
Kent, Washington 98032
Just Ask a Piledriver. (253) 872-0141
ALL NEW DESIGN

APE Western Regional Office
2985 Loomis Rd.
FOR MAXIMUM
Stockton, California 95205
(209) 942-2166
PRODUCTIVITY APE Northeast Regional Office

401 Hartle St.
Sayreville, New Jersey 08872
How? More info... (732) 432-6604
APE Southeast Regional Office

1345 Industrial Park Rd.
Mulberry, Florida 33860
(863) 324-0378
APE Mid-Western Regional Office

50 Gerber Industrial Drive
St. Peters, Missouri 63376
(636) 397-8400
APE Gulf Regional Office

Model Energy (Ft-lbs) Energy (kNm) 3975 FM Hwy 1485
Conroe, Texas 77306
15-5 150,000 203 (936) 271-1044
20-5 200,000 271 APE Mid-Atlantic Regional Office

500 Newtown Rd. #200
25-5 250,000 339 Virginia Beach, Virginia 23462
(757) 518-9740
30-5 300,000 407 APE Canada Office
1002 7th Street
Nisku, Alberta, Canada T9E 7P2
(780) 474-9888
800-248-8498 APE Mexico & Central America Office

Avenida Periferico Sur 7800, Sta. Ma Tequetexpan
www.Americanpiledriving.com
Tlaquepaque, Guadalajara Jalisco, Mexico CP. 45601
(786) 991-6875 | (877) 457-5022
Copyright © 2023 American Piledriving Equipment Inc. All Rights Reserved

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THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE PILE DRIVING CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION ISSUE 6 2023 | VOLUME 20 | NO.

Dear Darling: Recruiting & Retaining the

DICEP 2023: Here’s What You Missed

Disruption Claims on Construction Projects

ALL NEW DESIGN

PRODUCTIVITY APE Northeast Regional Office

APE Southeast Regional Office

APE Mid-Western Regional Office

APE Gulf Regional Office

20-5 200,000 271 APE Mid-Atlantic Regional Office

800-248-8498 APE Mexico & Central America Office

Dear Darling: Recruiting & Retaining the

DICEP 2023: Here’s What You Missed

Disruption Claims on Construction Projects

If you need to drive it, drill

High Quality, Domestic Spiralweld Pipe Piling

JD FIELDS & COMPANY INC

Want to Order Parts Online?

Issue 6 2023 | Volume 20 | No. 6

WORKING IN THE WATER

Desalination Plant Test in Long Beach

Galveston Berth 10 Marine Improvements Project

Russell Marine LLC helps transform the shores of Galveston, Texas

Ocean Transport Barge Berth

Cover and above photos: Kokosing builds critical infrastructure to support

Port Freeport Velasco Terminal Berth 8

PDCA Member Benefits 25 55

PDCA Chapter Updates 37

PDCA EVENTS AND WEBINARS

Photo: PND Engineers, Inc.

Design and Installation of 45

Deep Foundation Dynamic Testing 49

PDCA MEMBER PROFILES

4 | ISSUE 6 2023 www.piledrivers.org

CONNECTORS AND PILING AVAILABLE.

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE

Published for Accomplished

8 | ISSUE 6 2023 www.piledrivers.org

Thickness Weight Section Modulus Coating Area

The Value of Association

I started this discussion in Issue 5 of PileDriver magazine with

questions: What is the value of association membership, and how

Over 35 Years in Marine Construction

friendly staff. In the first month, the individual makes it to the

Easier than A trade association is not

14 | ISSUE 6 2023 www.piledrivers.org

Sheet Pile H-Beam Pile Timber Pile

Pipe Pile Concrete

Call Toll Free // 800.348.1890

GERDAU BALL AND SOCKET

BUILDING A SAFE WORKING PLATFORM

OBJECTIVES modeling, has become more common in deep

z SAFETY: Ensuring safety is a

Employer: _______________________________ Supervisor: ____________________________

Date: _____________________ Time: _____________________ Shift: ____________________

Number In crew: ___________________________Number attending: _______________________

Other safety issues or suggestions made by crew members:

Record of those attending:

Manager’s remarks: ______________________________________________________________

Manager: ________________________________ Supervisor: ____________________________

WORKING PLATFORMS PART II

platform guidelines. These may include pro-

custom cushion blocks, forming materials, hardwood lagging

18 | ISSUE 6 2023 www.piledrivers.org

Employer: ___ Supervisor:

Date: ___________ Time: _ Shift: __________

Number In crew: _____Number attending: _

Manager: ____ Supervisor: