Tom Richards – International Society for Micropiles

You’ve Lost that Sinking Feeling: Nicholson Looks Back at Mandalay Bay Project

The presentation highlights the lessons learned during the design and installation of micropiles to stop the extreme settlement of Mandalay Bay during its construction in the late 90s.

About

Tom Richards is retired chief engineer now consultant at Nicholson Construction Company, based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. For over 30 years at Nicholson, Tom led technical aspects of countless specialized geotechnical projects using micropiles, anchors, soil nails, diaphragm walls, and all types of grouting techniques. Tom’s responsibilities included design, quality control, research, testing, and instrumentation. His strength lies in his mastery and focus of the details, addressing each project challenge with patience and perseverance.

Tom has been an active member of numerous committees for Deep Foundations Institute, ADSC: the International Association of Foundation Drilling, Post Tensioning Institute, and American Society of Civil Engineers. He has contributed his significant technical knowledge to the advancement of guidance produced by federal agencies and industry groups. Tom is a member of The Moles, a U.S.-based fraternal organization for the heavy construction industry. In 2019, Tom was awarded DFI’s Distinguished Service Award, the highest individual honor the association presents, and he served as DFI’s 2021 Traveling Lecturer, presenting case histories to students and engineering societies around the U.S.

Tom Richards Lizzi Lecturer Bio 2025

The Lizzi Lecture is delivered by an invited speaker who is recognized by ISM as making distinguished contributions to the micropile industry. The lecture honors the spirit and memory of Dr. Fernando Lizzi, the visionary leader of ISM and the inventor of the “pali radice” or original “root pile” foundation system.