Welcome to Delaware Valley Geo-Institute!

DVGI Receives Best Chapter Award from ASCE Geo-Institute
During ASCE’s GeoCongress 2024, held February 25th to 28th in Vancouver, BC, DVGI was honored to receive the ASCE Geo-Institute’s 2023 Best Chapter Award. With the award, the Geo-Institute recognized DVGI’s accomplishments for its members and community. DVGI thanks the many volunteers whose dedicated service led to its selection out of the many deserving local Geo-Institute chapters.

DVGI members attending GeoCongress, including several present and former board members, accept the ASCE Geo-Institute’s 2023 Best Chapter Award from G-I President Jie Han, Ph.D., P.E., F.ASCE, at GeoCongress 2024 in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Coming Soon: DVGI September 2024 Meeting

Following its annual summer break, DVGI will resume its meeting schedule on Tuesday, September 17th. Register for the September dinner meeting here.

Topic: 2023-2024 DVGI Project of the Year Winner “SPARK – Gene Therapy Innovation Center”

Abstract: Pennoni is proud to lead the engineering efforts for Spark’s groundbreaking $575M Innovation Center in Philadelphia’s University City, adjacent to Drexel University and the Schuylkill River. This state-of-the-art facility, spanning over 90,000 square feet, will house six stories of advanced manufacturing and research laboratories, along with below-grade parking. The center, set to become a global flagship for Roche Pharmaceuticals, is designed to enhance gene therapy production and expand into various disease categories. Scheduled for completion in 2026, it will be a landmark of scientific innovation, emphasizing sustainability and latest technology.

The project presented significant geotechnical challenges due to its proximity to the 100-year floodplain and complex subsurface conditions. Pennoni’s team conducted a comprehensive investigation, revealing the complex geology characterized by sporadic alluvial deposits on the eastern side and shallow decomposed rock to the west. The findings revealed a 25-foot dip in rock elevation from east to west. To address these challenges, drilled piers were selected for their capacity to manage axial and tension loads, and a seepage analysis using pump test data was performed to optimize design against hydraulic uplift pressures, leading to a cost-effective design modification with varied floor slab thicknesses across the site. Additional geotechnical solutions included underpinning a retaining wall along Chestnut Street to support the wall during excavation and installing an underground stormwater basin with rock anchors to provide uplift support without stressing the basement slab.

These geotechnical solutions not only mitigated the risks associated with the site’s complex environment but also ensured the long-term stability and functionality of Spark’s Innovation Center, positioning it as a cornerstone of scientific and technological advancement.

Bios: Eli Brinker, EIT, and Elisabetta Iannetti, EIT, of Pennoni Associates will deliver the presentation. Mr. Brinker is an Associate Engineer in the Pennoni geotechnical group in Philadelphia. He received his BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Maine in 2019. He is affiliated with ASCE and DFI. Ms. Iannetti serves as a Staff Engineer in the Pennoni geotechnical group in Philadelphia. She received her BS in Civil Engineering from George Mason University in 2018 and her MS in Civil Engineering with a geotechnical concentration from Drexel University in 2023. She is affiliated with ASCE, DFI, and the ACE Mentor Program.

Action shot of geotechnical construction at the Spark Therapeutics Innovation Center, Philadelphia, PA.

Recap: DVGI 2024 Golf Outing
On Thursday, June 13th, 54 DVGI members and friends participated in the annual DVGI Golf Outing at Kimberton Golf Club in Phoenixville. Engineers, contractors, and suppliers took time out of their busy schedules to support the DVGI scholarship fund. The weather was perfect, and the refreshments were cold for the shotgun start at 9 am at the beautiful venue. The outing was a scramble format inviting all levels of golf skill.

The Axis Construction team posted the best team score overall (61), while the Kleinfelder/Weston & Sampson/HNTB team had the dubious honor of the worst or “most honest” team score. After the round of golf, participants gathered for lunch and drinks on the patio. Perren Palpant of GeoStructures, Inc. won the longest drive hole while Mike Culbertson of Keller won the closest to the pin prize (8’) and Andy Donaghy of Menard mastered the Shortest Driver.

The event was a great chance for DVGI members and friends to socialize in a more casual setting. Shout-outs to: Keithe Merl (DuroTerra) and Rick Smith (AeroAggregates) for staffing the registration table and roaming the course with refreshments; Archie Filshill (AeroAggregates) for donating his cash prize from 50/50 raffle to the DVGI Scholarship Fund; and DuroTerra and Junttan for providing the raffle ticket prizes. Special thanks to our 18 sponsors which made the event a huge success and provided over $4,300 for the Scholarship Fund. The money will be given out to students during DVGI’s annual Student Night dinner meeting next March. We can’t wait for next year’s outing!

DVGI members and friends enjoy a beautiful day at Kimberton Golf Club during the 2024 DVGI Golf Outing.

DVGI appreciates the support of its 2024 Golf Outing sponsors.