International Society for Micropiles

08/24/2026

A Milestone Achievement for Mary Ellen Bruce Large! 🏆

Exciting news! Mary Ellen Bruce Large, P.E., BC.GE, president of Geotechnica SA, Inc., and executive director and treasurer of ISM, is the recipient of DFI’s Distinguished Service Award (DSA)—the institute’s highest individual honor.

Established in 1981, the DSA recognizes individuals who have made exceptional and lasting contributions to the advancement of the geotechnical industry. Large is the first woman to receive the award.

For more than 25 years, Large has helped shape the global micropile community through her leadership of ISM, technical expertise, mentorship and commitment to advancing the profession.

Join us in celebrating Mary Ellen’s remarkable career and this well-deserved recognition! The DSA will be presented at DFI51, November 2–5 in Orlando, Florida.

Read more at https://ismicropiles.org/mary-ellen-bruce-large-receives-dfis-distinguished-service-award/

07/30/2026

World Cup of Micropiles Winner Makes (More) Headlines 🏆

The winner of the International Society for Micropiles Fifth World Cup of Micropiles is making headlines again — this time in GeoDrilling International magazine.

Ingeniería Geotécnica Aplicada and Tomás Murillo Pérez showcase a groundbreaking project using micropiles at an unprecedented scale to support a new bridge connecting El Salvador and Guatemala.

Read the full story: https://www.geodrillinginternational.com/geotechnical/special-report/4534638/bridging-nations

In the heart of Central America, where infrastructure plays a pivotal role in regional development, the General Manuel José Arce Bridge stands as a symbol of engineering...

07/27/2026

Leading the Way 🧭
Behind every strong association is a dedicated team of leaders. We're grateful to our International Society for Micropiles Steering Committee members for their vision, expertise and commitment to advancing the micropile industry. Thank you for helping shape our future—one strategic decision at a time.

Executive Director and Treasurer: Mary Ellen Bruce Large, P.E., BC.GE, (USA)
Immediate Past Chair: Dan MacLean, Keller Foundations (Canada)
Andreas Brandner, IB-Brandner (Austria)
Vice Chair: Natalia Maca, Titan Polska (Poland)
Björn Ischebeck, Fried. Ischebeck (Germany)
Chair: Allan Herse, PCA Ground Engineering Australia)
Freddy Lopez, MSc.-Ing., Tiroler Rohre (Germany)
Nadir Ansari, Isherwood Geostructural Engineers (Canada)
Allen Cadden, P.E., BC.GE, Schnabel Engineering (USA)

06/30/2026

🏙️ Building cased micropiles in tight urban spaces? Join the next DFI-ADSC Micropile Committee webinar on Tuesday, August 18, and learn how industry experts are tackling today's toughest installation challenges.

🎤 ISM member John McKinnon of HUB Foundation Company and Denis Ambio of Apex Geotech Solutions will discuss:
🔹 Overhead restrictions
🔹 Constrained jobsite layouts
🔹 Challenging ground conditions
🔹 Innovative cased micropile technologies
🔹 Real-world case studies and practical solutions

👉 Register today: https://dfi-events.org/micropile/aug-2026

06/23/2026

Don't Miss This SuperPile ’26 Presentation 📢

Attending SuperPile ’26 in New Orleans? Add this session to your schedule!

Join Michael McNicholas, P.E., BC.GE, of ISM member company Keller and Chelsea Scarafile, P.E., of Hardesty & Hanover for “The Replacement of the Park Avenue Viaduct: Micropile Foundations and Innovative Construction Techniques.”

📅 Thursday, June 25
🕐 1:15 p.m.

Discover how micropile foundations and innovative construction methods helped deliver this high-profile infrastructure project.

View the full conference program at https://dfi-events.org/superpile26/program.html

06/15/2026

Quick Question ？

When using a concrete footing, when should I consider the fixity of the micropile to be pinned rather than fixed?

See answers and more questions on ISM’s Micropile Community Group on LinkedIn. It’s a place where the micropile community worldwide can share their insights and experiences, ask for guidance and build valuable connections. The community group is open to all. Join at https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13062580/

06/01/2026

🔍 New Research Report: Advancing Micropile-to-Structure Connection Design

Congratulations to ISM member Jesus Gomez of GEI Consultants on the publication of a new DFI research report, Design Considerations for Bonded Micropile-to-Structure Connections.

The report provides a practical framework for designing and verifying bonded micropile-to-existing concrete footing connections through a straightforward, step-by-step approach—helping engineers tackle a critical aspect of micropile applications with greater confidence.

Read the full report and learn more: https://dfi.org/news/new-research-report-release

05/26/2026

🌎 ISM has named Sebastian Lobo-Guerrero chair of the 2027 workshop in Tequila!

A global leader in geotechnical engineering with 25+ years of experience and 250+ technical publications, Sebastian will help bring together the worldwide micropile community for this premier event.

Join us in congratulating Sebastian as the global micropile community prepares for an unforgettable event in Mexico!

Read more at https://ismicropiles.org/sebastian-lobo-guerrero-serving-as-chair-of-isms-17th-international-workshop-on-micropiles/

04/22/2026

We’re Heading to Mexico!

Mark your calendars—ISM is bringing the 17th International Workshop on Micropiles to the vibrant town of Tequila, Jalisco this October 2027.

Get ready for cutting-edge insights, global connections and an unforgettable setting hosted by Promotora Berma on their home turf.

Stay tuned for details at www.ismicropiles.org—you won’t want to miss this one.

03/31/2026

Join the Community 👥

Join ISM’s Micropile Community Group on LinkedIn – and join the conversation with ISM members and micropile professionals worldwide. It’s a place where the community can share their insights and experiences, ask for guidance and build valuable connections. The community group is open to all. Join at https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13062580/