August 13, 2020
International Building Code: Louisville
(Pictured, left to right; Garland Likins, Dan Stevenson, and Dale Biggers)
It all started innocently in the spring of 2012. An engineer from California proposed a change to a load testing section of the International Building Code. Lori Simpson of Langan Engineers, Dan Stevenson of Berkel and Company, and I attended the IBC hearings in Dallas, Texas. We convinced the engineer to withdraw his proposal because it caused conflicts with other sections of the code.
"Let's change lots of the code," we said. [Note: Garland Likins of GRL Engineers called and got me involved in this Dallas trip, but no hard feelings.]
Unexpected at the time, that cavalier comment started a seven-year odyssey.
We formed the GeoCoalition, which became a collection of 37 structural engineers, geotechnical engineers and foundation contractors from across the country. The PDCA Technical Committee was an important part of the effort. It also included other groups, such as several DFI committees and ADSC. We knew that a well-rounded industry effort would be more respected by the International Code Council (ICC) than any individual proposals.
Every two weeks or less, we had a web conference set up by the PDCA office. The computer screen was controlled by Garland Likins or Anna Sellountou of PDI. They put up a paragraph and the peanut gallery on the phone made suggestions. Changes were done in the ICC format deletions were shown by strike outs, and additions were underlined. Sometimes consensus was difficult as we looked at each and every sentence, one by one.
The interaction of people from various parts of the country in different disciplines mixed with regional variations of rules, foundation types and viewpoints was a wonderful learning experience. We made more than 40 changes to the code. So confident of success, we marched to the ICC hearings in Louisville knowing that our hearts were pure, and our cause was just.
Little did we know how little we knew. [Continue reading in Issue #3 of PileDriver]
by Dale Biggers of Boh Bros. Construction and Chair, PDCA Technical Committee
This is the first of a multi-part review of the changes to 1810, the Deep Foundation section of the International Building Code
August 5, 2020
Veteran construction lawyer and PDCA Conference presenter Kalson elevates from Vice Chairman
Orange Park, FL (August 5, 2020): With nearly 30 years of construction law and litigation experience behind him, 22 years exclusively as a full-time construction lawyer, Richard D. Kalson, Esq. is named the new Chairman for the PDCA Contracts and Risk Committee. Mr. Kalson is a Partner at national firm Benesch Friedlander Coplan & Aronoff LLP and practices from Columbus, OH and Pittsburgh, PA. The PDCA Board of Directors ratified the new chairmanship with a unanimous vote in June 2020.
[Mr. Kalson (pictured) presented "Effects of Substance Abuse on the Construction Industry" for the opening program in the PDCA 2020 Annual Conference Webinar Series on August 5, 2020. The Series resumes September 2nd, and again the first Wednesday of each month through December.]
"Through my experience serving as Vice Chair for the Contracts and Risk Committee, we have worked to build a framework to provide necessary information to PDCA members so they become equipped to help themselves navigate the variety of legal risks they face every day," stated Mr. Kalson. "I look forward to collaborating with all PDCA members on formulating a list of key contractual provisions for their consideration when negotiating a subcontract."
In his law practice, Mr. Kalson provides counsel to subcontractors, contractors, suppliers and project owners in litigation and business consultation matters, including many ENR 400 contractors and ENR 600 specialty contractors, on all phases of the construction process on projects throughout the United States. He has represented clients in construction disputes involving infrastructure, bridges, petrochemical plants, commercial buildings, hotels, and government buildings, among many others, before courts and arbitrators in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, New Jersey, Wisconsin, New York, Maryland, Virginia, California, Minnesota, Massachusetts, West Virginia, Georgia and many other states across the country.
A construction lawyer for 27 years, Mr. Kalson earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Minnesota School of Law following a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Wisconsin where he continues a relationship as a visiting lecturer and loyal fan of Badger athletics. He also holds prominent positions in the construction industry including a Board seat with the Association of Drilled Shaft Contractors and a Vice-Chairmanship at the Deep Foundations Institute.
He enthusiastically concluded this interview; "This Committee has delivered educational presentations at almost every major PDCA event in recent years and we will continue providing instruction to PDCA members at future events, both live and remote."
PDCA is excited to announce that the Design & Installation of Cost-Efficient Piles (DICEP) 2020 program is going virtual! The Virtual DICEP 2020 event will focus on Steel Sheet Pile and Wave Equation. This technical educational series is open to PDCA members and non-members. All attendees can earn up to 7.5 Professional Development Hours (PDH) after completion of the full course.
