USACE-DFI Working Group on Seepage Control

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Abstract: Since 2011, Deep Foundations Institute (DFI) has enjoyed a collaborative relationship with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) aimed at aligning expectations and promoting mutual understanding between industry and the government on seepage control projects for dams and levees.

The working group started with a technology transfer workshop presenting methods and practices used for constructing seepage control barriers. This workshop was prompted by USACE’ s plan to conduct hundreds of millions of dollars to construct seepage barriers for the rehabilitation of dams and levees, and their planned development of a seepage control guidance manual. The workshop attendance was expanded to include U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Tennessee Value Authority, and National Resource Conservation Service and Federal Energy Management Agency with the intent of providing an industry-wide forum for discussion of technologies, quality assurance and control methods, and research needs for seepage control practices.

The success of this event led to a series of other activities, including meetings related to Hurricane Sandy rehabilitation, a DFI conference on Levee and Coastal Restoration, presentations at government-led conferences, additional working group meetings, signed memoranda of understanding to collaborate, and an international workshop on construction methods for managing stormwater from deep excavation construction. Two additional working group workshops were held in 2016 and 2023 with the goal of addressing challenging practices that inhibit progress and execution of seepage control projects.

This paper will present the impetus for establishing this working group, archive the activities conducted over the past 14 years, and the highlight the results of this very successful, mutually beneficial, and engaging collaboration. It is hoped that this innovative and committed working relationship will inspire other groups to work together in similar ways.

Ms. Mary Ellen Bruce Large; Mr. Dave B Paul

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