DFI 33rd Annual & 11th International Conference on Deep Foundations “Our Future is Founded on Innovation” October 14-17, 2008 

Engineers, Contractors, Academics, Suppliers and Manufacturers will gather from all over the world to learn from each other and discuss the state of the practice and the state of the art on meeting 21st Century challenges in the deep foundations industry.

Over 500 attendees are anticipated and exhibit space is almost sold out so now is the time to make your travel arrangements and register to participate. Two pre-conference events, one on soil mixing and the other on micropiles, will be provided on October 14 and four technical sessions, a poster session, and a panel discussion segment will be presented during the following three day conference as follows:

Session I: Advances in Ground Improvement Technology for Challenging Projects
Presentations on various ground improvement techniques such as stone columns, vibrocompaction, grouting, soil mixing, rigid inclusions, soil nailing, micropiles, and slope stabilization.

Session II: Urban Environments — Construction Methods, Impacts, and Preservation
This session will focus on available foundation construction methods for the special conditions found in urban environments, specifically low or non-vibratory techniques, constructing through, under and over existing structures, preservation and renovation of historic structures, building in limited access areas, and monitoring and test programs.

Session III: Innovations in Construction Methods & Equipment — U.S. and Abroad
This session will include case histories presenting projects that faced considerable challenges and the innovative and ingenious designs and construction techniques used to solve the difficulties and get the job done.

Session IV: Meeting Today’s Challenges of Constructing & Testing Drilled and Driven Piles
Drilled and driven foundation solutions have been the staple of the deep foundations construction industry and are still being used effectively in today's challenging environment. Case histories on drilled and driven pile methods will be presented.

Panel Discussion: Innovative Urban Construction Means and Methods in the U.S. and Abroad
An interactive panel session is planned where attendees will have the opportunity to submit questions in advance and to address panelists from the floor. The panel will be comprised of contractors and suppliers, and the panel topic will be innovative means and methods utilized in urban environments worldwide.

Poster Session
Authors of papers on various deep foundations construction topics will display their information in poster format and be available to discuss with conference attendees.

The conference organizing committee is also proud to announce the Hal Hunt and John Mitchell Lecturers who will speak during the course of the conference.  The 2008 Hal Hunt Lecturer will be Peter E. Mac Kenna, CEO of Skanska USA Civil Southeast Inc. (f/k/a Tidewater Skanska, Inc.) and Executive Vice President of Skanska USA Civil, while this year’s John Mitchell Lecturer will be David Sherwood, currently chairman of Bachy Soletanche Ltd.