2010 Conference Overview

The DFI and EFFC 11th International Conference united consultants, contractors, geotechnical engineers, regeneration experts and key manufacturers and suppliers in the global foundations business. 

 Who attends?    

• 3 day conference programme
• 3 technical tours
• 5 keynote speakers
• 6 continents represented
• 15 hours of networking
• 17 hours of learning
• 30 technical paper presentations
• 50 Pan-European speakers
• 400 attendees
  

The technical sessions on day one includes the presentation of selected papers and discussion, chaired by the industry great and the good. Key themes addressed:

 Deep Basements and Underground Excavations
 Soil Displacement Piles from Installation Technology to Performance
 Special Foundation Solutions for Urban Regeneration

The second day featured a combination of presentations followed by site tours across some of London’s most notable regeneration projects.  The site visits includes presentations to describe the environmental issues and deep foundations aspect of the job. What are the challenges? How can they be overcome?

Key themes:

 Sustainable development from an architectural and landscape perspective
 London's infrastructure needs - CrossRail
 The geotechnical challenges of constructing CrossRail
 Getting the Olympics going

The conference organising committee are confirming opportunities to visit:

 The Olympic Park under construction for the London 2012 Olympics
 The Canary Wharf Crossrail Station 
 The Thames Barrier
 The Brunel Museum

Our final day concluded with lively debate, discussion and questions, as key experts and attendees ponder environmental and professional issues affecting the industry. This included session debates on:

 Design, construction and contracting risk
 Young Engineers in the foundation industry
 Sustainability and the foundations industry
 Recent lessons from foundation failures

As part of the continuing development and improvement of the DFI and EFFC conference, there were a number of additions to the agenda designed to enhance the delegate experience. These included: 

 Networking lunches 
 Drinks reception on the evening of day one
 Special Gala dinner on day two
 Showcase of some of the world’s leading geotechnical service providers/supplier