Emad Sharif, ChairDFI Middle East

The program included 18 presentations

by pioneers from the deep foundations

industry, covering several important topics

including: Geotechnical Characterization,

Ground Improvement, Geotechnical Soft-

ware and Information Systems, Deep Foun-

dations: Construction and Case Histories.

The presentations were a catalyst for

several interactive and fruitful discussions

particularly concerning:

Nearly 75 attendees participated in the

conference representing different sectors of

the ground engineering industry, including

authorities, contractors, consultants, labora-

tories, academics, suppliers and students.

This year’s conference was sponsored

by RTA (Roads and Transport Authority of

Dubai), a leading organization developing

transportation facilities in Dubai including

bridges and tunnels for metro and tram

lines. The conference was chaired by Dr.

Salah Al Dilimi of RTA.

DFI Middle East Regional Chapter held its th5 conference, Geotechnical Engineering

for Delivering Sustainable, Cost Effective

Projects, April 24-15, 2019 in Dubai.

• Ground improvement special solutions

– early applications of deep soil mixing

in the area

• Advanced geotechnical laboratory

testing for better understanding of

geotechnical properties and analysis

• The unique character of calcareous

sand in Dubai, and liquefaction

potential evaluation – the need for

specific research

DEEP FOUNDATIONS • MAY/JUNE 2019 • 59

DFI Middle East

REGIONAL REPORT

A highlight of the event was two

interactive sessions: ISSMGE Corporate

Associates Presidents Group Panel Dis-

cussion: State of Art vs. State of Practice –

How to Close the Gap in Dubai, moderated

Four keynote lectures tackled important

topics and challenges facing the geotech-

nical practice in the region.

• Advances in software and information

technology applications

A video from the conference is on DFI’s

YouTube Channel, accessible at www.dfi.org.

• SAMYON

• Rocscience

• Ischebeck Titan

• GTC Lab

• GEOKON

Bronze Sponsors

• Robertson Geo

Silver Sponsor

Conference sponsors include:

by Finlay Leibrick of

Aecom, and a work-

shop on Instrumentation and Monitoring –

Risk Based Monitoring for Deep Excava-

tions and Foundations, led by Dr. Mandy

Korff from Deltares, the Netherlands.

Attendees at the recent DFI Middle East Conference

The Exhibit Hall

Marwan Alzaylaie, Ph.D.

DDA (Dubai Development Company)

Finlay Leibrick, Aecom

Nick Chittenden, Secretary, BASF

Mariane Qurban, Jacobs

Alexandros Yiagos, Ph.D., Langan

Richard Smedley, Mott MacDonald

Karim Khalaf, Fugro

Salal Al Dilimi, Vice Chair

Road & Transport (RTA)

The DFI Middle East Regional Chapter

includes leading specialists representing

ground engineering companies:

Emad Sharif, Chair

GTC Advanced Geotechnical LAB

Hesham Shazly

ADM (Abu Dhabi Municipality)

Networking at the conference

One of 18 technical presentations

60 • DEEP FOUNDATIONS • MAY/JUNE 2019

Upcoming Activities

• Organizing a monthly seminar program

in Dubai or another location in the

Middle East

• Forming working groups and technical

committees to follow-up on the work-

shop discussions and results of the

recent conference

• Organizing a one- to two-day Geotech-

nical Summit at The Big 5 event in

Dubai in November 2019

Activities planned for 2019-2020 include: