New Hire Announcement | Mid-Atlantic/Northeast Experience
DUROTERRA™ EXPANDING TO SERVE YOU BETTER
With the continued growth and acceptance of TRM’s Ductile Iron Piles across the U.S. and Canada, DuroTerra is excited to announce the hiring of Keithe J. Merl, P.E. Keithe will join the DuroTerra team as the Regional Engineer for the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast region. Keithe brings over two decades of regional geotechnical engineering, contracting and construction material sales experience to his new role at DuroTerra. Prior to his most recent work with Hobas Pipe, USA in the microtunneling industry, Keithe worked with project teams to deliver design/build foundation solutions using a variety of geotechnical tools including Ductile Iron Piles while at GeoStructures, Inc. Prior to his work in the contracting and supplier industries, he has over a decade of geotechnical consulting experience in the region.
Keithe is based in the Philadelphia area and will be working with project teams throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast region to evaluate the feasibility of local projects and promote the value offered by Ductile Iron Piles for Engineers and Contractors. When he’s not working, Keithe is an avid mountain bike rider, enjoys camping (more like “glamping”), and spending time with his wife and two sons. With Keithe joining the team, it allows DuroTerra to provide more local support to project teams from inception to certificate of occupancy. Interested in evaluating a project opportunity or simply want to connect with Keithe, he can be reached at kmerl@duroterra.com.
INTERESTED IN BECOMING A DUCTILE IRON PILE INSTALLER?
DuroTerra works with a wide variety of geotechnical contractors across the U.S. and Canada – from local contractors to international geotechnical contractors on projects of all sizes. Our engineering and construction representatives can guide you with product information, equipment assessment and setup as well as project feasibility and pricing. Reach out to us today to learn more.
PROJECT EXPERIENCE – Netflix Studio – Brooklyn, NY
Installation of exterior grouted Ductile Iron Piles alongside a vibration-sensitive retaining wall
Plans for a new 161,000 sqft movie studio required foundation and retaining wall support abutting an existing, vibration-sensitive retaining wall on a portion of the site. While ground improvement was planned for the majority of the project, Ductile Iron Piles were selected to limit vibration concerns in the critical areas. Grouted Ductile Iron Piles were installed through the fill and organic clay to develop working capacities of 40 tons (compression) and 19 tons (tension) through friction in the underlying medium dense to dense sand. Following successful load testing, a total of 195 piles were installed in 11 working days with no impacts to the retaining wall. Learn more about how Ductile Iron Piles provided the low vibration solution for the project. To learn more about the project, check out the full project summary.
PROJECT EXPERIENCE – International Shipping Facility – Philadelphia, PA
Installation of 100-ft long piles within active International Shipping Hub
Construction of a new mezzanine level at an international shipping facility air hub near the Philadelphia International Airport required deep foundations to support loads up to 516 kips at 74 new column locations. Piles were needed to penetrate the soft silt and clay and loose sand extending to depths of at least 65 feet. Overhead clearances were limited to 35 feet in many locations but approached only 20 feet in some areas. Learn more about this PDCA project of the year and how Ductile Iron Piles were installed in the low overhead conditions to depths ranging from 67 feet to more than 100 feet to deliver capacities ranging from 45 to 75 tons. To learn more about the project, check out the full project summary.
