September/October 2022 - 84

Komurka's approach to exploring
driven pile design and performance
was echoed by Wagner in describing
his work dealing with pile capacity as
being time dependent. This approach
addresses the increase in capacity from
set-up, which Komurka says has been
proven through a number of his
published case history studies, with
comprehensive quantitative cost
analysis. According to Komurka this
results in a reduction of foundation cost
if properly considered in design.
Wagner cites many of Komurka's
innovative contributions including
those related to software development;
pile " cost-efficiency " of different pile
sections driven to various depths
directly compared on the basis of their
support cost and a new approach to pile
design called, " Load Matching " that
focuses on matching the size and
number of piles needed considering
projected embedment relative to the
load to be supported. These factors are
aimed at providing maximum efficiency
at a reasonable cost. Wagner hits the
pile on the head when summarizing
what it all boils down to regarding
Komurka's work. " Van developed a
rational, straightforward, commonsense
approach to designing the most
cost-effective driven-pile foundation
system possible. " He adds, " I am
extremely proud to recognize the costsaving
driven-pile design of my former
colleague. " These kinds of accolades are
echoed by Hannigan who shares his
admiration for Komurka's insights in
solving complex deep foundation
problems and his mentorship to
aspiring engineers. Hannigan points to
his sincere concern for others as being a
central core of his personality.
Challenges and Opportunities
Like so many others in the profession,
Komurka expresses frustration at
having to " sell " the value of prefinal
design and preconstruction testing of
foundations to clients. He cites DFI's
" ITS Money " (Increased Testing Saves
Money) initiative as an important
undertaking. He likens the importance
of testing programs to that of routine
vehicle maintenance when he says,
" Everyone can quantify preventative
maintenance costs, but how much such
maintenance really adds to the life, and
therefore the value of a vehicle, is
harder to quantify and so harder to sell. "
Taking on the multiple challenges
involved in geotechnical engineering is
what Komurka finds so fulfilling.
These encompass site investigation,
design, testing and ultimately construction.
In thinking about what he
does, he asks, " What other civil engineering
discipline can claim similar
access to such a comprehensive realworld,
full-scale evaluation, and
opportunity for modification and
optimization, of their designs? " This
comment could easily be presented on
a recrui tment poster for young
engineers considering an area of
specialization.
Life's On-Going Joys
Along with Komurka's many prestigious
awards granted by professional organizations
at every level, his many published
papers and humble pride in his
professional accomplishments, he is
most proud of his family. As he puts it,
" My wife, Paula, has provided support,
guidance and at times indulgence
throughout my professional career.
Patient with required time away from
home, she's helped establish and
maintain the prioritization of family
before work. " In the family tradition,
sons Andrew and Joel, both engineers,
share his interests in motorcycles, classic
cars, the out-of-doors and the value
he places on being a close loving family.
When Van Komurka reflects on his
Komurka running a static load test (photo by David Headley)
career, on what he does and how he
thinks, he muses, " Do people come to
think a certain way because they
become engineers, or do they become
engineers because they inherently think
a certain way? " A very good question for
the readers of this magazine.
84 * DEEP FOUNDATIONS * SEPT/OCT 2022
September/October 2022

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