September/October 2022 - 83

Van Komurka, Deep Foundation
Testing Innovator Goes the Extra Mile
MEMBER PROF I LE
process, and each project presents a
dynamic challenge and the opportunity
for an innovative solution.
In the 37 years since Komurka
Joel, Van and Andrew Komurka shortly after the truck rolled 600,000 miles
More than 633,000 miles and still
truckin' might tell you all you need to
know about Van Komurka, but as they
say in the ads for Ginsu knives on late
night TV, " But wait there's more. " In
Komurka's case there's a lot more.
However, we shouldn't lose sight of
the accumulated mileage he has put
on his '97 F250 going from one job site
and or professional event to another.
Just like iconic football coach John
Madden, he prefers to drive, either via
truck or motorcycle.
Komurka is widely known for his
contribution to advancing the state of
the art in pile testing programs. He
spent 22 years of his long career as a
partner in the geotechnical engineering
design and testing firm Wagner
Komurka Geotechnical Group, which
he started in 1994 with long-time
colleague Alan Wagner. The eventual
partners met in 1985 while working
with STS Consultants.
In 2016 Komurka joined GRL
Engineers as a senior engineer. GRL's
headquarters are in Cleveland with
offices throughout the U.S. Komurka
currently works predominately from
AUTHOR S. Scot Litke, Hon. D.GE
DEEP FOUNDATIONS * SEPT/OCT 2022 * 83
home just north of Milwaukee. GRL is
an acknowledged leader in the field of
deep foundations testing with a focus
on driven pile and drilled shafts.
Building a Reputation
Early on, Komurka's interest and facility
in math and science led him to conclude
that engineering of some type was to be
his future profession. At first, his interest
in cars and motorcycles led him to think
that mechanical engineering would be a
natural choice. As it turned out his bent
toward geotechnical engineering was
later piqued as an undergrad at the
University of Wisconsin-Platteville.
There he studied soil mechanics and
foundations under the tutelage of Earl S.
McCullough, Ph.D. McCullough had
significant private consulting experience
and brought the real world into the
classroom. Stimulated by McCullough
and the challenges of the uncertainties
associated with geotechnical engineering,
coupled with the opportunity to
work out-of-doors, led Komurka
inexorably to the geotechnical sphere.
He points out that each site is different,
every design demands a unique thought
received his master's degree in civil
engineering from Colorado State
University in 1985, he has become a
leading expert in static and dynamic
load testing. He was influenced and
supported in this effort by relationships
developed with colleagues Wagner and
GRL past president, Pat Hannigan. He
cites the intellectually nurturing environment
provided and promoted by
Wagner as having led to significant
advancements in their practice. He
credits Hannigan with providing
guidance and instruction for deep
foundation testing, especially with
driven piles. Komurka also appreciates
Hannigan's tutelage during his tenure
at GRL, especially in bi-directional
static load tests.
How the Work Gets Done
Komurka is modest and at the same time
professionally confident. He has witnessed
and played an important part in
advances in foundation elements testing.
In this regard, when discussing his
contribution to the industry, Rozbeh
( " Roz " ) B. Moghaddam, president of RBM
Consulting Group in San Antonio, who
worked with Komurka, offers, " One of his
most recent contributions to the industry
included his work in developing the
Incremental Rigidity Method, which has
enhanced our understanding of how
driven piles work in-situ. " Moghaddam
adds, " Aside from his technical knowledge,
his charisma, outstanding sense of
humor, intelligence and detail-oriented
personality have encouraged many
young engineers to follow in his footsteps. "
September/October 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of September/October 2022
