The Pile Driving Contractors Association (PDCA) is pleased to announce the Design and Installation of Cost-Efficient Piles (DICEP) Conference scheduled for September 9-10, 2025, in Orlando, Florida.
The Conference will deliver a full day of in-depth technical education focused on innovative and practical approaches to driven pile design and construction. Attendees will gain valuable insights into both foundational and advanced strategies aimed at improving project efficiency, reducing costs, and addressing complex site conditions.
With a mix of technical sessions, real-world case studies, and networking opportunities in the exhibit hall, DICEP 2025 is designed to equip geotechnical and civil engineers, contractors, and other foundation professionals with actionable knowledge and tools to optimize driven pile design and performance. Licensed PEs will earn professional development hours (PDHs) by attending this conference.
6:30 PM 8:00 PM PDCA of Florida Golf Awards / DICEP Meet & Greet Reception in Exhibit Hall
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
7:00 AM 7:45 AM DICEP Registration Opens / Breakfast in Exhibit Hall
7:45 AM 8:00 AM DICEP Opening Ceremony & Welcome Announcements
8:00 AM 10:00 AM Part I: Foundations of Cost-Effective Driven-Pile Design: Framework Overview & Support Cost Van E. Komurka, P.E., BC.GE, GRL Engineers, Inc.
This session provides an essential framework for achieving cost-effective outcomes in driven-pile projects by focusing on the interplay between design, testing, and installation strategies. Through a framework overview, participants will gain an understanding of key factors that influence foundation performance and project economics, including the selection of pile type, permissible material stresses, and the role of soil/pile set-up in enhancing capacity.
10:00 AM 10:30 AM Break in Exhibit Hall
10:30 AM 12:30 PM Part II: Advanced Strategies for Cost Savings: Load Matching & Set-Up Techniques Van E. Komurka, P.E., BC.GE, GRL Engineers, Inc.
Building on the foundational concepts of Part I, this session explores advanced methods for enhancing the cost-effectiveness of driven-pile design. Through three focused, in-depth modules, attendees will learn to apply quantitative tools and engineering judgement to optimize project outcomes.
12:30 PM 1:30 PM Lunch with Exhibitors
1:30 PM 2:30 PM Design of Driven Piles Paul Cosentino PhD. P.E., The Inaugural Edward H Kalajian Professor, Florida Institute of Technology (Florida Tech)
During this session you will be exposed to techniques that have classically been used to design driven piles. We will cover piles subjected to downward, upward, and lateral loads along with pile group layout and design. For designing piles to resist downward and upward forces, you will see a basic equation that is reused and modified depending upon the types of soils and rock. Piles subjected to lateral loads are typically designed based on a limiting movement at the surface, while pile group capacities are estimated from several well documented methods.
2:30 PM 3:15 PM Engineering and Construction Challenges for Seawalls Lina Garcia Martin, P.E., Vice President of Engineering, Orion Marine Group
This presentation explores the multifaceted engineering and construction challenges involved in designing and building seawalls and bulkheads in coastal environments. It begins with an overview of site-specific geotechnical concerns, including soil composition, groundwater levels, and foundation strategies in flood-prone zones. Hydraulic and environmental factors such as wave forces, erosion control, and long-term material durability in saltwater conditions are examined in detail. The session also highlights key construction considerations in dynamic coastal zones, emphasizing safety and logistical planning around tides and high-water levels. A comprehensive look at bulkhead design follows, covering their purpose, various structural types, and material selection, along with construction methods like sheet piling and anchoring systems. The presentation concludes with a case study of a successful Florida bulkhead project, offering practical insights into real-world applications.
3:15 PM 3:30 PM Break
3:30 PM 4:15 PM Sheet Wall Design Topic & Case Study Dave Chapman, President, Blakeslee Arpaia Chapman
4:15 PM 5:15 PM Effective Driven Piles Practices in the Challenging Geology of Florida Mohamad H. Hussein, P.E., L.M. ASCE, GRL Engineers, Inc. & Pile Dynamics, Inc.
Florida's unique geologic origins resulted in karst formations and variable subsurface geotechnical conditions that present considerable challenges to the design and construction of foundations. Presented are discussions on the design, installation, specifications, testing, quality control and assurance aspects of driven piles deep foundations applicable to Florida's challenging subsurface conditions and which are widely considered models of innovation for good practices nationwide. Foundation design and construction issues such as subsurface variability, load bearing capacity evaluations, structural integrity assessments, geotechnical time-effects, and sinkhole conditions are discussed and demonstrated with the aid of case histories illustrating the use of driven piles as effective deep foundations solutions.
Save Event to Calendar
