Academics

Are you an Academic?

Join DFI to connect with practicing engineers and contractors, collaborate on applicable research, and stay current on new technologies that impact further research and teaching.

Collaborate with the industry on projects and research that directly translates intopractice.
Network with practicing professional engineers and develop relationships for consulting work.
Participate in technical committees and stay up to date on technological advancements.
Participate in research projects supported through the DFI Committee Project Fund that advance the state of practice and understanding of deep foundations.
Position yourself as an expert by presenting practice-oriented research at conferences worldwide and publishing papers in the peer-reviewed DFI Journal and Deep Foundations magazine.
Access teaching resources such as speakers and materials.

Join Free!

DFI – Finding Common Ground

DFI is an international association of contractors, engineers, manufacturers, suppliers, academics and owners in the deep foundations industry. Our multidisciplinary membership creates a consensus voice and a common vision for continual improvement in the planning, design and construction of deep foundations and excavations. We bring together members through networking, education, communication and collaboration. With our members, we promote the advancement of the deep foundations industry through technical committees, educational programs and conferences, publication of guides and specifications, a peerreviewed journal, a flagship magazine, research, government relations and outreach.

DFI has more than 3,000 involved, knowledgeable and committed members worldwide. Our diverse membership encompasses all disciplines of our industry and performs the various specialties that comprise deep foundations. The membership includes people and companies from across the globe.

DFI Membership

What members are saying about DFI

“Some of the membership benefits as an academic are the connectedness with the real world, being able to collaborate on research that directly translates into practice, receiving feedback on your research and learning the business aspect of geotechnical engineering.”
Dr. Anne Lemnitzer, Assistant Professor at the University of
California, Irvine, and Co-Editor of the DFI Journal

“The annual meetings and specialty conferences are professionally rewarding, and the presentations are well done and always useful for educational and instructional purposes. It is also a great opportunity to network with and meet practicing professional engineers — these contacts can be invaluable when asking for assistance in teaching and introducing the latest technology in the classroom and laboratory.”
Dr. Samuel P. Clemence, Interim Dean of Hendricks Chapel,
Meredith Professor Emeritus, Syracuse University

“The best thing about the DFI is the collection of engineers, contractors, manufacturers and suppliers, and academics. Bringing everyone together means that they stuff we get done is useful and is immediately applied. It’s a true collection of the best of the industry.”
Michael Wysockey, Ph.D., P.E., President
Thatcher Foundations, Inc., and DFI Board of Trustees