The Helical Piles and Tiebacks Committee of the Deep Foundations Institute is working on a broad study of current practices and is seeking input from professionals in the industry.

The survey is funded by the DFI Committee Project Fund and is conducted by professors Sam Clemence of Syracuse University and Alan Lutenegger of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Clemence specializes in the areas of geotechnical engineering, soil mechanics and foundation engineering. In addition to helical piles, or screwpiles, Lutenegger studies in situ soil testing, the physical and chemical properties of clays , and other aspects of civil engineering.

Following the close of submissions, results will be published as a white paper available to survey participants and all DFI members.

Visit  www.dfi.org/survey to offer input. The survey takes about 15 to 20 minutes, and must be completed by Sept. 1. Participants will be asked about their current practices in use, design and installation of helical piles and tiebacks.

For more information on the survey, contact Mary Ellen Bruce, DFI technical activities manager, at mebruce@dfi.org

 The DFI is an international association of contractors, engineers, academics and suppliers in the deep foundations industry with more than 3,300 members worldwide. For more information about the Deep Foundations Institute, visit www.dfi.org.