Communities
Technical Committees are the backbone of DFI providing the practical forum for finding common ground in the deep foundations industry. Committees provide opportunities for all members to identify and address issues that impact deep foundations practice. Committees convene engineers, contractors, manufacturer and equipment suppliers, owners, and researchers to promote the discussion that builds the mutual understanding and consensus required to broadly influence and improve codes and standards, and design, construction and quality control and assurance procedures. Committees explore industry challenges and opportunities, develop guidance and specifications, conduct industry-driven research, and prepare event programs that educate and debate current topics. Join a committee to collaborate with global industry practitioners; stay updated on design, construction, and market trends; build your professional network of colleagues and supplier resources; and contribute to providing high value deep foundation solutions for society.
DFI Committee Project Fund
The DFI Board of Trustees established the DFI Committee Project Fund in 2011 to fund DFI Technical Committee projects that advance the state of practice and understanding of deep foundations and produce a usable deliverable. Funding has supported projects proposed by 17 technical committees, and deliverables include laboratory/field testing, installation/demonstration programs, analytical tools, design guides, journal articles, project reports, databases and surveys. All projects involved significant in-kind contributions or joint funding with allied associations, furthering DFI’s industry-wide collaborative efforts.
“I really enjoy DFI, and it’s definitely the most worthwhile professional organization I belong to. The reuse task force is just one example of the energy DFI puts toward important industry issues. DFI is great at combining professionals of different stripes to tackle practical issues facing the industry. Committees are the lifeblood of DFI, and the biggest benefit of membership. The committees generally meet monthly via web meetings, and include updates on efforts like our reuse task force, DFI-sponsored research, and other industry-improving efforts.”
A. Boeckmann
European Student Chapter
The Deep Foundations Institute has been a strong supporter of the University Student Chapters and of outreach programs to university engineering students with specific interests in the geotechnical, soil mechanics and foundation engineering curriculums.
BIM and Digitalisation
The aim of this committee, which is in close liaison to DFI’s Project Information Management Systems (PIMS) committee, is to promote digitalisation and BIM (Building Information Modeling) processes within the European membership and the wider geotechnical industry in Europe and DFI worldwide.
Technical Committees
Applications
Several DFI technical committees focus their activities on the use of deep foundations for specific project applications. These committees explore and address the special considerations for design and execution of efficient, reliable, and safe project solutions for these foundation applications.
Technologies and Methods
These committees discuss and debate design and construction challenges and research needs for specific deep foundations technologies to find the common ground that advances their understanding and use.
Practice and Standards
Many DFI committees address topics related to the practice and standards for designing and constructing deep foundations, including codes, contracts, data management, sustainability and practitioner support.
- BIM and Digitalization (Europe)
- Codes and Standards
- Geotechnical Characterization for Foundations (India)
- Information Management Systems
- Manufacturers, Suppliers and Service Providers
- Risk and Contracts
- Seismic and Lateral Loads
- Subsurface Characterization for Deep Foundations
- Sustainability
- Testing and Evaluation
- Women in Deep Foundations
Regional Chapters
DFI regional chapters in Europe, Middle East and India expand DFI’s reach and influence internationally. DFI supports the regional chapters to address and improve local practices that promote safe, durable and high quality foundation solutions.
Groundwork – Students
DFI supports international Student Chapters to provide opportunities for students to actively explore and participate in deep foundations industry activities and events.
Industry Alliances
DFI teams routinely with a wide variety of geo-associations, conference organizers and working groups to leverage resources, collaborate on technical issues, and welcome a variety of viewpoints to find common ground on current industry issues and practices.