The Deep Foundations Institute (DFI) has formed a new Tunneling and Underground Systems Committee.

The committee will work to identify and facilitate the advancement of new methods and technologies in tunneling and underground systems. It will focus on design, construction, inspection, maintenance and operation. Technical focuses will include conventional and mechanized excavation methods, design practices for tunnel liners, the use of new materials in construction, waterproofing and water control systems, contracting methods, and the allocation of risk and construction practices.

James Morrison, PE, a vice president of COWI, and David R. Klug, president of David R. Klug and Associates Inc., will co-chair the committee. Morrison has more than 35 years of civil engineering experience. He has participated on some of the largest tunneling projects in North America including: Portland CSO, Devil’s Slide Tunnel, Lake Mead Water Intake No 2, Dulles Walkback and WUBT tunnels, Tren Urbano - Rio Piedras Subway- Section 7, and CTA Blue Line Subway Replacement Project. He has written numerous technical papers and served as a president of Deep Foundations Institute, Cleveland Section of ASCE and NW Michigan Branch of ASCE.

Klug provides manufacturer representative services to the underground heavy civil and mine construction industries globally. He has more than 40 years of industry involvement in many of the major tunnel programs constructed in the U.S. and Canada. In conjunction with his European clients he conducts industry outreach seminars to Europe for people from the U.S. and Canadian tunneling industry to study European methods of tunnel construction and contract delivery practices. He is past chair of the Underground Construction Association (UCA) of SME (2009-11), a member of the UCA Fox Conference Committee, a member of The Moles and the A.G.C. of Western Pennsylvania.

The committee’s state goals are to facilitate transfer of technology among owners, stakeholders, designers, contractors and material suppliers involved in the use and construction of tunnels and underground structures; foster collaboration with the academic community, equipment suppliers, and major tunnel contractors and owners to address research needs and knowledge gaps; and to promote the education and training of graduate and undergraduate students to develop emerging industry leaders in this field of practice.

Visit www.dfi.org/commhome.asp?TUNS to find out more about the committee.

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.