PDCA will continue to offer valuable education and industry information through monthly webinar series, entitled the PDCA 2025 Value Driven Webinar Series.
A collaboration between the PDCA and the PDCA Standing Committees, the PDCA 2025 Value Driven Webinar Series will focus on providing PDCA members, and deep foundation industry professionals, with education and information on committee initiatives, including safety, workforce development, industry equipment maintenance, and more.
The PDCA 2025 Value Driven Webinar Series will be held every other month on the second Thursday from 2:00pm - 3:00pm ET. See below for the upcoming schedule of presentations.
registration
As a member benefit, registration is complimentary for all sessions to PDCA Members and their employees. Individuals that are not members with PDCA are welcome to attend the series' sessions with a nominal registration fee of $50 per webinar.PDCA 2025 value driven Webinar Series Schedule:
April 10, 2025 | Considerations for Testing - Making the Most of Load Testing Programs
Ryan Allin, P.E., Vice President, Pile Dynamics, Inc.
Summary: Load testing programs are often specified for projects. But how can we take advantage of this information instead of looking at it as just an item that needs to be checked off? This webinar will discuss the value load testing programs can bring to projects as well as its limitations. In addition, we will discuss meaningful specifications in relation to the load test program as well as case study where the load test program was used to optimize the foundation and reduce the project cost.
August 14, 2025 | Steel Pipe Pile ERW Specifications: Challenges, Advantages and Solutions
Richard Morales, M.Sc., P.E., F.ASCE, Manager of Field Applications Engineering, Bull Moose Industries
Summary: This presentation focuses on understanding the differences in specifications for steel pipe piles, exploring the common challenges faced during this process and providing practical solutions and guidance. It aims to serve as a valuable primer for contractors, engineers and industry professionals involved specifying Steel Pipe Piles in projects that require efficient and economical deep foundation solutions.
September 18, 2025 | Driven Prefabricated Elements as Ground Improvement and Rigid Inclusions
Greg Canivan, PE, S&ME; Prof. Armin Stuedlein, PhD, PE, Oregon State
Summary: This presentation explores the evolving role of driven prefabricated elements--such as traditional timber, pre-stressed concrete, and steel piles--for use as both ground improvement and rigid inclusions (RI) in support of shallow foundations. While rigid inclusions are traditionally associated with cast-in-place (CIP) elements, driven, prefabricated elements meet the same stiffness and performance criteria.
Building on the foundational work of DFI's Ground Improvement Committee, we expand the RI discussion to include open-market, driven element solutions that operate at the boundary of ground improvement and deep foundations. The session will clarify terminology, compare design methodologies, and present case examples highlighting performance, constructability, and the importance of load transfer platforms (LTPs).
Attendees will gain insight into how driven elements can provide viable, non-proprietary alternatives to RI systems and why these systems deserve broader recognition and consideration in geotechnical design practice.
October 9, 2025 | Port Everglades Southport Turning Notch Expansion Project Showcase
Lina Garcia Martin, P.E., Business Development Manager, Orion Marine Group; Maria De Avila Hernandez, Structural Engineering, Orion Marine Group
Summary: This presentation showcases the award-winning expansion of Port Everglades' Southport Turning Notch, a project that increased port capacity while protecting sensitive mangrove and manatee habitats. The team delivered over 4,500 feet of seawalls and dredged more than three million cubic yards of material, overcoming complex geotechnical, structural, and environmental challenges. Attendees will learn how innovative combi-wall systems, precision anchoring, and advanced turbidity controls enabled construction in deep-water conditions while maintaining port operations and safeguarding the environment.
December 4, 2025 | Ethics Governing the Practice of Engineering in Florida
Edwin A. Bayó, Partner, Grossman, Roopnarine & Bayó, LLC
Summary: This course provides Professional Engineers with a clear and practical overview of Florida's ethical framework for engineering practice. Topics include ethical principles drawn from the NSPE, ASCE, and IEEE codes; how the Florida Board's definition of misconduct relates to these ethical principles; and using real-world case studies to highlight conflicts of interest, plan-stamping, and public safety responsibilities. Designed to meet the Florida Board of Professional Engineers' continuing education requirement, the course equips participants with tools to stay compliant, uphold professional integrity, and avoid disciplinary action.
